Under the Shadow

In this episode of Under the Shadow, host Michael Fox takes us to Costa Rica to examine the so-called peaceful and democratic beacon in a region beset by dictatorships and violence, and the myths surrounding the elimination of the country's military, along with how the United States did its utmost to encourage San Jose to do its bidding.This is Episode 11.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: Ciska RaventósDavid DíazIvan MolinaRotsay RosalesGustavo FuchsEdited 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.You can see pictures of Costa Rica’s National Museum and Butterfly Garden here.Follow and support journalist Michael Fox and Under the Shadow, and listen to his new podcast Panamerican Dispatch at https://www.patreon.com/mfoxHere’s the link for Kyle Longley’s book, Sparrow and the Hawk: Costa Rica and the United States during the Rise of Jose Figueres.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

In this enlightening discussion, celebrated linguist and political activist Noam Chomsky reflects on U.S. military interventions in Central America. He critiques the historical and ongoing impact of these actions in countries like Guatemala and Nicaragua, highlighting the deep economic exploitation and violence they caused. Chomsky connects the past to contemporary foreign policy debates, underscoring the moral implications of U.S. support for oppressive regimes. His insights shed light on the lasting shadows of these interventions, making this conversation both timely and vital.

In the late 1980s, British film director Alex Cox spent several months in Nicaragua filming Walker, a movie about the U.S. filibuster who invaded and took over the country in the mid-1800s.As Cox puts it, he was trying to make “a revolutionary film in a revolutionary context." That did not go over well in Hollywood. The movie would get him blacklisted. Even today, you still can’t find the movie streaming.In this bonus episode for Under the Shadow, host Michael Fox speaks with Cox about his 1987 movie Walker and his filming of the movie in Nicaragua in the 1980s. They also look at U.S. intervention and the film industry.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.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/mfoxTheme music by Monte Perdido and Michael Fox.Monte Perdido's new album Ofrenda is now out. You can listen to the full album on SpotifyOther music from Blue Dot Sessions.Here is the Trailer to Alex Cox’s movie Walker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XImi7fT7-J0You can purchase the DVD to the movie Walker, here: https://www.amazon.com/Walker-Criterion-Collection-Marlee-Matlin/dp/B000ZM1MJ6You can hear Joe Strummer’s soundtrack to Walker, here.And, if you liked this episode, don’t forget to check out Episode 8 of Under the Shadow that looks back on William Walker. The Real News NetworkDonate: therealnews.com/uts-pod-donateSign up for our newsletter: https://therealnews.com/uts-pod-subscribeLike us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/therealnewsFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealnewsGuests:Alex CoxBecome 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 this discussion, Alex Aviña, a history professor specializing in U.S. intervention in Central America, and William Robinson, a sociology professor who experienced Nicaragua in the 1980s, explore the depths of the Contra War. They delve into the destructive U.S. military strategies against the Sandinista government and the impact on civilians. The duo highlights the grassroots solidarity movements that arose in response and examines the fallout of the Iran-Contra scandal, shedding light on its relevance to contemporary U.S. foreign policy.

Dive into the tumultuous 1980s Nicaragua, where the hope sparked by the Sandinista revolution collides with U.S. intervention. Explore the brutal impact of the National Guard and the resilience of the local population in the face of oppression. Witness the rise of grassroots movements advocating for literacy and healthcare amidst geopolitical tensions. Uncover the moral dilemmas of U.S. support for the Contras and the chilling stories of civilians caught in the crossfire. A compelling blend of history, politics, and human experiences awaits!

Michel Gobat, a historian from the University of Pittsburgh, dives deep into the impactful life of Augusto Sandino, Nicaraguan revolutionary hero. They explore the U.S. occupation from 1912 to 1933, its consequences, and how it ignited Sandino's fierce resistance. Gobat discusses the birth of dictatorship post-Sandino's assassination and the lasting effects of American intervention on Nicaraguan culture and identity. The conversation also touches on Nicaragua's evolving relationship with baseball, reflecting broader socio-political shifts.

Michel Gobat, a history professor at the University of Pittsburgh, shares compelling insights into William Walker's audacious invasion of Nicaragua in 1855. They discuss Walker's dual identity as both a revolutionary and a tyrant, and the cultural clashes that led to his downfall. Gobat highlights the lasting legacy of Walker's actions on U.S.-Central American relations, revealing how they fueled anti-U.S. sentiment. The conversation also touches on the importance of preserving Nicaraguan cultural heritage in the face of historical adversity.

A New York court has found former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández guilty of drug trafficking and weapons possession. It’s a huge verdict that will likely see the former president imprisoned for life.In the last episode of Under The Shadow, host Michael Fox looked deeply at Hernández’s time as president from 2014 to 2022, which many came to call a narco-dictatorship. He won office in a fraudulent election, consolidated unprecedented power, pushed a neoliberal sell-off, and carried out widespread human rights abuses. In this Update 3, Fox looks at the New York trial that convicted him. What went down, what it meant, and what it means going forward for Honduras. And most important, what was missing — namely the role of the United States and Canada in propping up the Hernández regime.For this update, we speak with Karen Spring, the co-coordinator of the Honduras Solidarity Network and host of the Honduras Now podcast. She was in the New York courtroom throughout Hernandez’s trial.Under the Shadow is an investigative narrative podcast series that walks back in time, to tell 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.Recorded in San Salvador, El SalvadorThis podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA.Guests: Karen SpringTheme music by Monte Perdido. Other music from Blue Dot Sessions.Follow and support journalist Michael Fox or Under the Shadow at https://www.patreon.com/mfoxThe Real News NetworkDonate: therealnews.com/uts-pod-donateSign up for our newsletter: https://therealnews.com/uts-pod-subscribeLike us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/therealnewsFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealnewsBecome 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 June 2009, Honduras faced a devastating coup that shattered the country’s fragile democracy and sunk the country into violence, repression, and a decade-long narco-dictatorship.But the people fought back.In this continuation of Episode 7, host Michael Fox looks at the fallout of the 2009 coup in Honduras, walking from 2009 into the present. He takes us to Tegucigalpa to dive into the fraudulent U.S.-backed elections that ushered in a narco-dictatorship, and also the resistance movement that, after years of struggle, ultimately did what it set out to do: remove the dictatorship and return democracy to Honduras.This is Part 2 of a two-part episode looking at the 2009 coup in Honduras and the aftermath.Under the Shadow is a new 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:Bertha Oliva, COFADEHGrahame Russell, Rights ActionAdrienne PineFelix MolinaJesse FreestonKaren SpringAlex Main, CEPREdited by Heather Gies.Sound design by Gustavo Türck.Voice Actors: Andalusia K. SoloffTheme music by Monte Perdido. Other music from Blue Dot Sessions.Follow and support journalist Michael Fox or Under the Shadow at https://www.patreon.com/mfoxClick here, to watch Jesse Freeston’s documentary, ResistenciaResistance, about the campesino struggle in the Aguan Valley.Karen Spring is has been covering the New York trial of former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernáandez. Visit Honduras Now for updates, or follow @springkj and @HondurasNow on Twitter.The Real News NetworkDonate: therealnews.com/uts-pod-donateSign up for our newsletter: https://therealnews.com/uts-pod-subscribeLike us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/therealnewsFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealnewsBecome 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 June 2009, Honduras faced a devastating coup that shattered the country’s fragile democracy and sunk the country into violence, repression, and a decade-long narco-dictatorship. But the people fought back.In this episode, host Michael Fox dives into the tremendous resistance to the 2009 coup. He also looks at the government of Manuel Zelaya, the Latin America Pink Tide movement of the 2000s, and the push back from Honduran elites and the United States. This is Part 1 of a two-part episode looking at the 2009 coup in Honduras and the aftermath.Under the Shadow is a new 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:Bertha Oliva, COFADEHGrahame Russell, Rights ActionAdrienne PineFelix MolinaJesse FreestonKaren SpringAlex Main, CEPREdited by Heather Gies.Sound design by Gustavo Türck.Voice Actors: Andalusia K. SoloffTheme music by Monte Perdido. Other music from Blue Dot Sessions.Follow and support journalist Michael Fox or Under the Shadow at https://www.patreon.com/mfoxClick here to watch Jesse Freeston’s documentary, Resistance, about the campesino struggle in the Aguan Valley. Karen Spring is currently covering the New York trial of former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez. Visit Honduras Now for updates, or follow @springkj and @HondurasNow on Twitter.The Real News NetworkDonate: therealnews.com/uts-pod-donateSign up for our newsletter: https://therealnews.com/uts-pod-subscribeLike us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/therealnewsFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealnewsBecome 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