Under the Shadow

A podcast on US intervention and revolutionary resistance in Latin America, and all the ghosts that still linger, from independent journalist Michael Fox. Co-produced by The Real News Network and NACLA (North American Congress on Latin America). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/under-the-shadow--5958129/support.

  1. EPISODE 1

    Trump’s piracy in the Caribbean

    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 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 America Other Resources 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. This is a link to Democracy Now! coverage of the U.S. push toward war on Venezuela. Support Under the Shadow You 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/mfox 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.com Facebook: The Real News Network Twitter: @TheRealNews YouTube: @therealnews Instagram: @therealnewsnetwork

    44 min
  2. Understanding the US Invasion of Venezuela

    EPISODE 2

    Understanding the US Invasion of Venezuela

    In the early hours of Saturday morning, January 3rd, Venezuelans were awoken by the sounds of bombs falling. US helicopters whirled overhead. Explosions struck across the capital Caracas and in surrounding states. Hours of chaos, fear, and uncertainty. President Donald Trump would post over social media that the US had “captured” Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores amid a “large-scale” strike against the country. This is the first US invasion of another country in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama, when the US kidnapped and detained Panamanian President Manuel Noriega under charges of drug trafficking. The Trump administration used the same excuse to detain Maduro, despite lack of evidence linking Maduro to drug trafficking. With this strike, the United States has taken an unprecedented step: This is the first time the United States has used its own military to invade a South American country. Today, we go to Caracas to look in-depth at the January 3rd US invasion of Venezuela. Host Michael Fox speaks with Caracas-based reporter Ricardo Vaz. 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. Resources 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 America You can check out Ricardo Vaz’s reporting at www.venezuelanalysis.com.You can follow them on X at https://x.com/venanalysis For more English-language reporting on Venezuela, you can follow the Orinoco Tribune, Kawsachun News, and Sovereign Media. You can check out Michael’s recent episode of Stories of Resistance about the protests against US intervention in Venezuela. 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. 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.com Facebook: The Real News Network Twitter: @TheRealNews YouTube: @therealnews Instagram: @therealnewsnetwork

    41 min

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About

A podcast on US intervention and revolutionary resistance in Latin America, and all the ghosts that still linger, from independent journalist Michael Fox. Co-produced by The Real News Network and NACLA (North American Congress on Latin America). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/under-the-shadow--5958129/support.

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