Under the Shadow

On January 3, 2026, the United States invaded Venezuela and kidnapped president Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. It was the first U.S. invasion of a Latin American country since the 1989 invasion of Panama. The United States fired missiles and bombs that blew out windows and hit residential apartment blocks. Helicopters. Explosions. Firebombs. They cut electricity. They destroyed a medical supplies warehouse. Testimonies say helicopters fired on innocent people. They traumatized thousands, if not, millions of Venezuelans.The aftermath for everyday Venezuelans has been completely ignored. The voices of those on the ground — the voices of the victims — have been largely silenced in the international press and then forgotten as the news cycle hurtles on and our attention shifts elsewhere — to Greenland, Minneapolis, Iran, Gaza, or whatever Trump happens to be blustering about on social media.So today, we’re heading to Caracas to speak to people who experienced the invasion first hand, whether sheltered in place in their homes or running for their lives in the streets of their city. We’ll hear their stories of Trump’s “impressive” attack, their messages for the U.S., and how they’ve promised to resist the ongoing attack on their sovereignty.Under the Shadow is an investigative narrative podcast series that walks back in time, telling the story of the past by visiting momentous places in the present. Season 2 responds in real time to the Trump administration’s onslaught on Latin America.This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA.Theme music by Michael Fox’s band, Monte Perdido. Monte Perdido's 2024 album Ofrenda is available on Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you listen to music. Other music from Blue Dot Sessions. All of the ambient sound of the invasion in this episode was taken from cell phone videos filmed and posted on social media or shared over WhatsApp on January 3rd, during the pre-dawn U.S. invasion.Script editing by Heather Gies.Hosted, written, produced, mixed and edited by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.Translator and freelance journalist Coromoto Jaraba Pineda helped with reporting for this episode. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram.Many thanks to Ricardo Vaz and Jessica dos Santos.Resources: Today’s episode features filmmaker Angel Palacios. Below are some links to his documentary films:Puente Llaguno: Claves de Una Massacre (en Español)Llaguno Bridge: Keys to a Massacre (in English)Angel’s film series InjerenCIA: The Silent Invasion (en Español)Check out the previous Under the Shadow episodes on the U.S. invasion of Venezuela:Episode 2: The Americas will never be the sameEpisode 3: Hands Off Latin AmericaEpisode 4: Debunking the US narrative on VenezuelaUnder the ShadowYou can check out the first season of Under the Shadow by clicking hereThe Beginning: Monroe And Migration | Under The Shadow, Episode 1Panama. Us Invasion. | Under The Shadow, Episode 13The Legacy Of Monroe | Under The Shadow, bonus Episode 4 Michael Fox’s recent reporting on the boat strikes and the ramp-up for war in Venezuela: With the Strike on a “Drug-Carrying Boat,” Trump Returns to a Dangerous US Policy for Latin AmericaCaribbean Leaders Call for Unified Latin American Resistance to US AttacksTrump’s Monroe Doctrine 2.0 Outlines Imperial Intentions for Latin AmericaNACLA’s Curated Guide to the US Attack on Venezuela Truthout’s ongoing reporting on War and Peace and the US invasion of VenezuelaVisit TRNN for all of The Real News’s coverage on this and so much moreSupport Under the ShadowPlease consider supporting this podcast and Michael Fox’s reporting on his Patreon account: patreon.com/mfox. There you can also see exclusive pictures, video, and interviews.You can check out Michael’s recent episode of Stories of Resistance about the protests against US intervention in Venezuela.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/under-the-shadow--5958129/support.Help us continue producing Under the Shadow by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetwork

In the hours after the Jan. 3 US invasion of Venezuela, social media was inundated with fake videos and images. Some showed Venezuelans holding huge rallies in favor of the US invasion. Others showed US troops landing or firing from helicopters. Others showed Maduro being kidnapped. Not all were AI. Some were old, showing anti-government rallies from years past. Or from other places—other invasions or bombing raids, unrelated to the current US attack. But these videos racked up tons of views, misleading millions of people about what was happening on the ground. Many of those people still don’t know the truth. It was only the tip of the iceberg.Today, host Michael Fox looks at the misconceptions, myths, and misinformation that has been spread about Venezuela in the wake of the US invasion and, together with political scientist Steve Ellner, dives headfirst into the biased reporting and slanted truths that have underpinned the mainstream narrative on Venezuela in recent weeks, years, and decades. Under the Shadow is an investigative narrative podcast series that walks back in time, telling the story of the past by visiting momentous places in the present. Season 2 responds in real time to the Trump administration’s onslaught on Latin America.Hosted, written, and produced by Michael Fox. Script editing by Heather Gies.This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA.  Theme music by Monte Perdido and Michael Fox. Monte Perdido's new album Ofrenda is now out. You can listen to the full album on Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you listen to music. Other music from Blue Dot Sessions.Guests: Steve EllnerTal HaginResources X users and media outlets fact checking the wave of fake videos and images posted online following the January 3 US invasion of Venezuela:AI videoMisinformation … Venezuela / great stuff - January 5January 4January 3AP - Ouster of Venezuela's Maduro unleashes waves of misinformation onlineChavez Mausoleum A.I. Images of Maduro Spread Rapidly, Despite SafeguardsFact Check: Viral Video of Maduro Arrest Celebration Is AI-GeneratedUnder the ShadowYou can check out the first season of Under the Shadow by clicking hereThe Beginning: Monroe And Migration | Under The Shadow, Episode 1Panama. Us Invasion. | Under The Shadow, Episode 13The Legacy Of Monroe | Under The Shadow, bonus Episode 4 Michael Fox’s recent reporting on the boat strikes and the ramp-up for war in Venezuela: With the Strike on a “Drug-Carrying Boat,” Trump Returns to a Dangerous US Policy for Latin AmericaCaribbean Leaders Call for Unified Latin American Resistance to US AttacksTrump’s Monroe Doctrine 2.0 Outlines Imperial Intentions for Latin AmericaNACLA’s Curated Guide to the US Attack on Venezuela Truthout’s ongoing reporting on War and Peace and the US invasion of VenezuelaVisit TRNN for all of The Real News’s coverage on this and so much more.Support Under the ShadowPlease consider supporting this podcast and Michael Fox’s reporting on his Patreon account: patreon.com/mfox. There you can also see exclusive pictures, video, and interviews.You can check out Michael’s recent episode of Stories of Resistance about the protests against US intervention in Venezuela.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/under-the-shadow--5958129/support.Help us continue producing Under the Shadow by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetwork

Thousands have marched against Trump’s invasion of Venezuela. And leaders are leading the charge against U.S. intervention in the region, in some unexpected places. But Trump is now also pointing elsewhere in the region. Cuba, Colombia and Mexico are in his sights.Today, host Michael Fox looks at the response around the world to Trump's invasion of Venezuela. He also takes a deep dive into Trump’s threats elsewhere across the region, and introduces you to some of the leaders and the people standing up to Trump both inside the United States and far beyond.Under the Shadow is an investigative narrative podcast series that walks back in time, telling the story of the past by visiting momentous places in the present. Season 2 responds in real time to the Trump Administration’s onslaught in Latin America.Hosted by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA.Theme music by Monte Perdido and Michael Fox. Monte Perdido's new album Ofrenda is now out. You can listen to the full album on Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you listen to music. Other music from Blue Dot Sessions.Guests: Steve EllnerTamara PearsonSoyini GreyAlexander AviñaAlexander MainRafael IorisCamila Feix VidalGilma Camargo Script editing by Heather GiesResources for Under the Shadow:You can check out the first season of Under the Shadow by clicking hereThe Beginning: Monroe And Migration | Under The Shadow, Episode 1Panama. Us Invasion. | Under The Shadow, Episode 13The Legacy Of Monroe | Under The Shadow, bonus Episode 4 Michael Fox’s recent reporting on the boat strikes and the ramp-up for war in Venezuela: With the Strike on a “Drug-Carrying Boat,” Trump Returns to a Dangerous US Policy for Latin AmericaCaribbean Leaders Call for Unified Latin American Resistance to US AttacksTrump’s Monroe Doctrine 2.0 Outlines Imperial Intentions for Latin AmericaOther Resources:Here is NACLA’s Curated Guide to the U.S. Attack on Venezuela Here is Truthout’s ongoing reporting on War and Peace and the US invasion of VenezuelaVisit https://therealnews.com/ for all of The Real News’s coverage on this and so much more.Support Under the Shadow:Please consider supporting this podcast and Michael Fox’s reporting on his Patreon account: patreon.com/mfox. There you can also see exclusive pictures, video, and interviews.You can check out Michael’s recent episode of Stories of Resistance about the protests against US intervention in Venezuela.Written and produced by Michael Fox.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/under-the-shadow--5958129/support.Help us continue producing Under the Shadow by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetwork

Ricardo Vaz, a Caracas-based journalist and political analyst with Venezuela Analysis, provides gripping firsthand insights into the January 3rd U.S. invasion of Venezuela. He recounts the chaos in Caracas as explosions rocked the city and discusses Trump's sensational claim of capturing President Maduro. Vaz explores the Venezuelan government's emergency response, the pivotal role of Delcy Rodríguez, and the implications of U.S. military action in Latin America. He also critiques the legality of drug trafficking accusations against Maduro, highlighting the shocking regional repercussions.

On September 2, 2025, President Donald Trump announced from the Oval Office that the U.S. Navy had carried out an air strike on a boat in international waters. That boat strike rewrote U.S. policy for Latin America overnight. Three months later, 26 boats have been hit, killing more than 90 people.The United States has codified its justification for the boat strikes as part of a new National Security Strategy, published in early December 2025. In the National Security Strategy, Trump announced a new Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which he hopes can propel the United States and the U.S. military to preeminence in the hemisphere. Trump’s actions suggest he believes he has broad latitude to take whatever measures he deems necessary, regardless of international law, the sovereignty of other nations, or the impact on human life. This reenvisioning of U.S. policy for Latin America has disastrous implications for the region. More missile strikes. Loss of innocent lives. And even wrapping the United States into war close to home.Under the Shadow is an investigative narrative podcast series that walks back in time, telling the story of the past by visiting momentous places in the present. Season 2 will respond in real time to the Trump Administration’s onslaught in Latin America. We begin today where we started in the last episode of Season 1… in Panama.Hosted by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox. Edited by Heather Gies.This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA.Theme music by Monte Perdido and Michael Fox. Monte Perdido's new album Ofrenda is now out. You can listen to the full album on Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you listen to music. Other music from Blue Dot Sessions.Resources: Under the ShadowYou can check out the first season of Under the Shadow by clicking hereTHE BEGINNING: MONROE AND MIGRATION | UNDER THE SHADOW, EPISODE 1PANAMA. US INVASION. | UNDER THE SHADOW, EPISODE 13THE LEGACY OF MONROE | UNDER THE SHADOW, BONUS EPISODE 4 Michael Fox’s recent reporting on the boat strikes and the ramp-up for war in Venezuela: With the Strike on a “Drug-Carrying Boat,” Trump Returns to a Dangerous US Policy for Latin AmericaCaribbean Leaders Call for Unified Latin American Resistance to US AttacksTrump’s Monroe Doctrine 2.0 Outlines Imperial Intentions for Latin AmericaOther ResourcesEmperors in the Jungle: The Hidden History of the U.S. in Panama (Duke, 2003), is John Lindsay Poland’s expose on the U.S. military involvement in Panama.You can watch the documentary, The Panama Deception, here. This is a link to Democracy Now! coverage of the U.S. push toward war on Venezuela.Support Under the ShadowYou can see pictures of host Michael Fox’s reporting in Panama City, here.You can check out Michael’s latest episode of Stories of Resistance about the annual protests demanding justice for the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama.You can also listen to his new podcast, Panamerican Dispatch on his Patreon page. There, you can follow and support him and Under the Shadow: https://www.patreon.com/mfoxBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/under-the-shadow--5958129/support.Help us continue producing Under the Shadow by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetwork

Hi folks, this is Michael Fox, the host of Under the Shadow. If you've enjoyed this series, you will be happy to know that I’ll be bringing you Season 2 next year. Over the last year, I’ve been traveling across South America and this season will be a deep dive into the dictatorships of the 1970s, Plan Condor, the fight for justice and memory today, and of course, the role of the United States. But before we get there, I wanted to let you know about a podcast I’ve been writing, hosting and producing this year. It’s called Stories of Resistance.It’s investigative journalism, prose, poetry, historical memory, and above all — story.Think vignettes… Eduardo Galeano-style, for a new Trump era. For a few minutes each day, I transport you to another place, in another time, where others also stood up, resisted, and planted seeds of hope, despite the circumstances. A little bit of hope and inspiration in these dark times. There’s a lot of crossover between Under the Shadow and Stories of Resistance. So today, I’m bringing you the first episode of Stories of Resistance. It dropped on January 20, 2025. Donald Trump’s inauguration day.You can listen to more episodes just like this wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for Stories of Resistance, or you can follow the links in the show notes. If you like what you hear, please subscribe, like, share, comment or leave a review. You can also support my work and this show, and find out what I’ve been up to lately on my Patreon.  That’s patreon.com/mfoxSubscribe to Stories of Resistance podcast hereBecome a member and join the Stories of Resistance Supporters Club today!Sign up for our newsletterFollow us on BlueskyLike us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterDonate to support this podcastHelp us continue producing Under the Shadow by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetwork

On December 20, 1989, the United States invaded Panama with tens of thousands of troops. It was the largest US invasion since Vietnam. The first US military action since the fall of the Berlin Wall one month before. The testing ground for the Iraq Wars. The US invading forces destroyed 20,000 homes and killed hundreds of innocent Panamanians, dumping bodies into mass graves.And the United States government and the mainstream media ignored or whitewashed the violence. The story told to the American people was that of a tremendous success: The liberation of the people of Panama. All in the name of "democracy" and the so-called "war on drugs."In this episode, host Michael Fox takes us to the working-class Panama City neighborhood of El Chorrillo, which received the brunt of the US attack. He meets with Panamanians who have long fought for justice, and visits a former US military barracks that was the first home of the US School of the Americas. This is Episode 13.Under the Shadow is an investigative narrative podcast series that walks back in time, telling the story of the past by visiting momentous places in the present.In each episode, host Michael Fox takes us to a location where something historic happened—a landmark of revolutionary struggle or foreign intervention. Today, it might look like a random street corner, a church, a mall, a monument, or a museum. But every place he takes us was once the site of history-making events that shook countries, impacted lives, and left deep marks on the world.Hosted by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA.Guests: John Lindsay Poland, Olmedo Beluche, Celia Sanjur, Gilma CamargoGrahame Russell, Pedro Silva, Efrain Guerrero, Omar GonzalezEdited by Heather Gies.Sound design by Gustavo Türck.Theme music by Monte Perdido and Michael Fox. Monte Perdido's new album Ofrenda is now out. You can listen to the full album on Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you listen to music.Other music from Blue Dot Sessions.Additional links/info:Emperors in the Jungle: The Hidden History of the U.S. in Panama (Duke, 2003), is John Lindsay Poland’s expose on the U.S. military involvement in Panama.You can watch the documentary, The Panama Deception, here.Here are several links to Democracy Now! coverage, over the years, looking back at the U.S. invasion of Panama (here, here, and here).El Chorrillo Neighborhood Tour: You can find out more about Efrain Guerrero's work trying to protect the memory of El Chorrillo, plus his neighborhood tours, on his Instagram or TikTok. His organization is called Movimiento Identidad. Here's the website to set up a tour.Support Under the Shadow:You can see pictures of host Michael Fox’s reporting in Panama City, here. You can also listen to his new podcast, Panamerican Dispatch on his Patreon page. There, you can follow and support him and Under the Shadow: https://www.patreon.com/mfoxHelp us continue producing Under the Shadow by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetworkHelp us continue producing Under the Shadow by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetwork

In December 1823, US president James Monroe delivered his State of the Union address in which he coined what would become known as the Monroe Doctrine. It was a framework that would later be used to legitimize US intervention up and down the hemisphere. But in those early days, Monroe’s statements were applauded by Latin American leaders as supporting their independence struggles. They were even embraced at Simon Bolivar’s Panama Congress of 1826.In this episode, host Michael Fox travels to see what’s left of the former site of the Panama Congress, and then dives in to the past and present with Yale historian Greg Grandin.They look at Simon Bolivar’s Panama Congress, but also Monroe and the legacy of US imperialism in the region until today, including US-backed death squads, the Iran Contra Scandal, Manifest Destiny, and so much more.Under the Shadow is an investigative narrative podcast series that walks back in time, telling the story of the past by visiting momentous places in the present. In each episode, host Michael Fox takes us to a location where something historic happened—a landmark of revolutionary struggle or foreign intervention. Today, it might look like a random street corner, a church, a mall, a monument, or a museum. But every place he takes us was once the site of history-making events that shook countries, impacted lives, and left deep marks on the world.Hosted by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox. This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA.Additional info: You can see pictures of the Simon Bolivar monument, in Panama City, here.Follow and support Michael Fox and Under the Shadow at https://www.patreon.com/mfoxYou can follow historian Greg Grandin, on Twitter, here.Below are links to Greg Grandin's books mentioned in the episode:The Blood of Guatemala: A History of Race and Nation (2000, Duke University Press Books)Empire's Workshop: Latin America, the United States, and the Making of an Imperial Republic (Holt, 2006)The Last Colonial Massacre: Latin America in the Cold War (2011, The University of Chicago)Kissinger's Shadow: The Long Reach of America's Most Controversial Statesman (2016, MacMillan)You can find more of Greg’s books, here.Theme music by Monte PerdidoMonte Perdido’s new album Ofrenda is out now. You can listen to the full album on Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, YouTube, or wherever you listen to music.Other music from Blue Dot Sessions.Help us continue producing Under the Shadow by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Sign up for our newsletterLike us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterDonate to support this podcastHelp us continue producing Under the Shadow by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetwork

On Sunday, July 28th, President Nicolas Maduro won reelection there. According to the country’s national electoral council, he took 51% of votes over 44% for his rival Edmundo González Urrutia.But the opposition called fraud, claiming that they actually won the vote. Most international media have been on board with that narrative. In fact, the United States, and several other right-wing led Latin American countries have now recognized the opposition candidate as the victory. At the same time, more than 40 other countries have recognized Maduro.To make sense of it all, and the media spin that’s influencing this story, we speak with Alan MacLeod, a journalist and the senior staff writer at Mint Press News, with a PhD focused on media coverage of Venezuela.Under the Shadow is an investigative narrative podcast series that walks back in time, telling the story of the past by visiting momentous places in the present.In each episode, host Michael Fox takes us to a location where something historic happened—a landmark of revolutionary struggle or foreign intervention. Today, it might look like a random street corner, a church, a mall, a monument, or a museum. But every place he takes us was once the site of history-making events that shook countries, impacted lives, and left deep marks on the world.Hosted by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.Additional links: This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA.You can listen to the first episode of Michael Fox’s new podcast, Panamerican Dispatch, here.Follow and support him and Under the Shadow at https://www.patreon.com/mfoxYou can find Michael Fox’s book, Venezuela Speaks!, that’s mentioned in the podcast, here.Here is the link to a thread by Michael Fox about the Venezuelan elections.You can follow Alan MacLeod on Twitter for ongoing media analysis and coverage.Theme music by Monte Perdido.Monte Perdido’s new album Ofrenda is out now. You can listen to the full album on Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, YouTube, or wherever you listen to music.Other music from Blue Dot Sessions.Help us continue producing Under the Shadow by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Sign up for our newsletterLike us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterDonate to support this podcastHelp us continue producing Under the Shadow by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetwork

Panama is, perhaps, the country in Central America that has suffered under the longest US shadow, right from the very beginning. The country and its famous canal would grow to become the United States's most important asset in the region. During World War II, the US installed as many as 100 military bases throughout Panama, and it was the base of Washington’s Latin American military training apparatus. Panama became the heart of the United States in Latin America, and the US ripped apart the country to do it, clearing and flooding whole cities, installing its own walls and fences, segregating its new territory into an apartheid system on foreign soil.In this episode, host Michael Fox walks us from present-day Panama to the very beginning, to the genesis of what was once the United States’s most important asset in Latin America. This is Episode 12 of Under the Shadow.Under the Shadow is an investigative narrative podcast series that walks back in time, telling the story of the past by visiting momentous places in the present. In each episode, host Michael Fox takes us to a location where something historic happened—a landmark of revolutionary struggle or foreign intervention. Today, it might look like a random street corner, a church, a mall, a monument, or a museum. But every place he takes us was once the site of history-making events that shook countries, impacted lives, and left deep marks on the world.Hosted by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA.Guests:John Lindsay PolandMarixa LassoOlmedo BelucheCelia SanjurGilma CamargoClaire Nevache-WeillEdited by Heather Gies.Sound design by Gustavo Türck.Theme music by Monte Perdido and Michael Fox. Other music from Blue Dot Sessions.Follow and support journalist Michael Fox and Under the Shadow, and listen to his new podcast Panamerican Dispatch at https://www.patreon.com/mfoxHelp us continue producing Under the Shadow by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Sign up for our newsletterLike us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterDonate to support this podcastHelp us continue producing Under the Shadow by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetwork