The Next Generation I Lived With a Dictator’s Right Hand Man: Here’s What I Learnt - Cillian Dunne | #60
Dec 2, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Cillian Dunne, an author and investigative researcher, shares his firsthand experiences living with Carlos Wittgreen, the right-hand man of Manuel Noriega. He reveals gripping tales of assassination attempts and the intertwining of the CIA with Noriega's regime. Cillian unpacks the Iran-Contra Affair, the drug trade's rise, and the U.S.'s role in bolstering dangerous leaders. His insights into loyalty and conviction from working with a dictator's inner circle bring a unique perspective on power dynamics and intelligence.
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Canal As Geopolitical Heartbeat
- The Panama Canal is a tiny geographic chokepoint that handles around 5–7% of world trade and shapes global power dynamics.
- The U.S. seized control early, treated the zone like a quasi-state, and built military and intelligence infrastructure around it.
Independence Engineered For Access
- The U.S. backed Panama's 1903 independence to secure the canal and then exercised de facto control over the zone and politics.
- That leverage let the U.S. install friendly leaders and maintain strategic military and intelligence advantage for decades.
Castro Sparked Regional Socialism
- Castro's 1959 revolution inspired a wave of Latin American socialism, provoking intensified U.S. intervention across the region.
- The Cold War in Central America became an ideological contest where each side sought local allies and assets.
