The bombs fell in the early hours of January 3. They cascaded over the city, one and then another. The bright orange explosions rocked Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, shaking people awake. “The bombs lasted a while,” Caracas resident and community organizer Yanahir Reyes told Truthout. “And you could hear the helicopters, the planes. It was terrifying.” The U.S. forces rained down fire…
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On September 2, President Donald Trump announced from the Oval Office that the US Navy had carried out an air strike on a boat in international waters. That boat strike rewrote US 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 US 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 US 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
On Dec. 20, each year, people march in Panama City. They march to remember the fallen. They march to continue to demand justice for the violence, the destruction, and for those who were killed in the last US invasion in Latin America—the 1989 invasion of Panama.
BIG NEWS! This podcast has won Gold in this year’s Signal Awards for best history podcast! It’s a huge honor. Thank you so much to everyone who voted and supported.
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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.
Resources:
Panama. US invasion. | Under the Shadow Episode 13
The upcoming Season 2 of Under the Shadow
Resources used in today’s episode:
“Deja el canal”: panameños protestan contra Donald Trump ante embajada de Estados Unidos
Nov. 25, 2025: PROTESTAS EN PANAMÁ contra la presencia militar de EE.UU.: “GOBIERNO VENDEPATRIAS…”
Protestas en Panamá contra acuerdo con UU. EE., reforma pensional y minería | FRANCE 24 Español
Panama: 8th anniversary of US invasion to topple Noriega marked
Transcript
On December 20, each year, in Panama City, people march. They carry banners