The Mysteries of Latin America Podcast

Ancient Maya Treasure Found by Accident: The Uncovering of Valeriana Join host Andrew Colón as he dives into the incredible story of Valeriana, an ancient Maya city discovered by accident in the dense jungles of Campeche, Mexico. This city, hidden for centuries and rivaling the legendary Calakmul, reveals over 6,000 structures that may have housed up to 50,000 people. What makes this discovery even more fascinating? It was made not by excavation but through cutting-edge LIDAR technology, which mapped the city's expanse without disturbing a single leaf. Follow along as we explore how a PhD student at Tulane University stumbled upon this forgotten city during a routine data search, turning an environmental survey into one of the greatest Maya findings in recent years. Discover why Valeriana matters for understanding the true scale and interconnectedness of Maya civilization, and learn about the technology reshaping archaeology and conservation efforts in Mexico. This episode of The Mysteries of Latin America will captivate history buffs, archaeology enthusiasts, and anyone with a passion for untold stories. Listen now to uncover the ancient world through modern eyes and celebrate the enduring legacy of the Maya. Tune in and learn about the power of discovery, technology, and cultural heritage that connects us all.

Join Andrew Colón as he uncovers the bizarre phenomenon of Yoro, Honduras, where fish literally rain from the sky every year, leaving scientists baffled and locals in awe. Dive into this mysterious event in The Mysteries of Latin America, and explore the fascinating blend of folklore, science, and miracles behind the legendary Rain of Fish.

Beware the Shadows: 5 Terrifying Creatures from Mexican Folklore That Will Haunt You! 🌙🔥 Have you ever heard the spine-chilling cry of La Llorona? Or felt the eerie presence of El Nahual, a shapeshifter lurking in the shadows? 🌑 In this episode of Mysteries of Latin America, join me, Andrew, as we explore five of Mexico's most haunting creatures—from the ghostly Charro Negro to the mischievous Chaneque and the infamous El Coco. Each has its own legend, twisted through time, and is sure to leave you with goosebumps! 🔮 Discover the tales that keep generations awake at night: La Llorona – The Weeping Woman, searching endlessly for her lost children... El Nahual – The shape-shifter, able to transform into any creature, watching and waiting. El Coco – The ultimate boogeyman, lurking in the dark corners of your room. El Chaneque – A forest trickster with a devilish grin, leading the lost deeper into the wild. El Charro Negro – A cursed cowboy, forever searching for someone willing to make a deal they’ll soon regret... Whether you grew up hearing these stories from your abuela or are learning about them for the first time, these legends will pull you into Mexico's rich and mysterious folklore. ✨ Whether you grew up hearing these stories from your abuela or are learning about them for the first time, these legends will pull you into Mexico's rich and mysterious folklore. ✨ 👻 LIKE if you love legends and mysteries, SHARE with friends who appreciate the dark and mysterious, and SUBSCRIBE for more tales from Latin America's haunted history! 👀 Comment below if you have your own version of these legends, or if there are other creatures you want me to explore in a future episode. 🎙️ And if you’re ready for more spine-tingling tales, check out our other episodes on creatures like El Silbón and tales of haunted houses, or email me at andy@andycancun.com for direct links to more episodes!

They fought, bled, and shaped the course of the Mexican Revolution, but their stories have often been left in the shadows. Thousands of women—Soldaderas—stood on the frontlines, rifles in hand, not just following men, but even leading them into battle. One woman even disguised herself as a man to fight and what happened when her secret was revealed was a twist I wasn’t expecting. These women weren’t just supporting the revolution—many would say they were the backbone of it. And today, we’re bringing their stories to light." Welcome to *The Mysteries of Latin America Podcast! I’m your host, Andrew Colón, and today we’re diving into a story you might not have heard before. You see, when we think about the Mexican Revolution, names like Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata often come to mind. We picture men charging into battle for freedom and justice. But there’s a part of the revolution’s story that has been...overshadowed. And that’s the story I’m here to tell today.   Here on this podcast, we explore the untold stories, the hidden histories, and the legends that shape Latin America. For those of you who’ve been with me for a while, you know I do this to help reconnect with our cultural roots, to find those stories that shaped our past and still echo in our lives today. If you’re new here, bienvenido o… bienvenida! We’re about to take a journey into a part of history that hopefully will inform and entertain you, and maybe just surprise you.   Because today, we’re talking about the Soldaderas and Adelitas—the women who fought, bled, and died in the Mexican Revolution. These women weren’t just cooking or nurses; many also became soldiers, and often the difference between life and death for the men they fought alongside.  

Was There an African King Enslaved in Mexico?!"   "Imagine an African king, escaping slavery, leading a rebellion in Mexico, and not just surviving—but building a town that still stands today! What if I told you this story unfolded two years before the Pilgrims even landed at Plymouth Rock? Sounds incredible, right? Today, we’ll uncover the story of Gaspar Yanga—a man whose legacy defied the might of the Spanish Empire and still echoes through the streets of a small town in Veracruz."   "Friend, welcome to another episode of **Mysteries of Latin America**. I’m Andrew, and if you’re new here, what we do is dive deep into the myths, legends, history, and unsolved mysteries that span the vast and vibrant lands of Latin America—from the northern border of Mexico to the southern tip of Argentina, and across the Caribbean islands. Whether you’ve got roots in this region or are simply curious about the stories hidden beneath the surface, you’re in for a treat."    _"And today’s episode is about the little-known story of Gaspar Yanga, a man whose defiance in the face of oppression laid the groundwork for Mexico’s first free town and became a symbol of resistance against Spanish colonial rule."_ 

  Imagine waking up to a world where 43 young men have vanished, seemingly into thin air, leaving only unanswered questions and unbearable anguish for their loved ones.   This is not a story from some distant past or a legend this time, but a haunting reality that has gripped Mexico for a decade. This is the story of the disappearance of the 43 students from Ayotzinapa. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++   Friends, thanks for joining me on *Mysteries of Latin America*, where I explore myths, legends, mysteries, and history from the northern border of Mexico to the southern tip of Argentina and across the Caribbean Islands. My name’s Andrew, and today, we delve into the unresolved enigma of the Ayotzinapa disappearance—a case that has become a symbol of Mexico's ongoing struggle with truth, corruption, violence, and justice.   September 26, 2014, began like many other days in the small town of Ayotzinapa, located about four hours from the tourist city of Acapulco, in Guerrero on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Students from the Escuela Normal Rural Raúl Isidro Burgos, also known as the Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers' College, were preparing for a trip to Mexico City. They intended to commemorate the Tlatelolco massacre of 1968, where the Mexican government brutally suppressed student protests, resulting in hundreds of deaths just days before the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. The students had no inkling that this trip would culminate in a tragic and ironic echo of that historical violence in the 21st century.   In this episode, I’ll present the official story from the government, explore alternative theories involving corruption, drug trafficking, political motives, a massive cover-up, and discuss how the election of a leftist president has influenced the ongoing investigation. I’ll also provide updates on the current status and prevailing theory of what really happened.   If you haven’t subscribed yet, I invite you to do so on your preferred platform to get episodes as soon as they’re released and access nearly 60 other episodes I’ve prepared for you. If you have comments or an idea for an episode, reach out to me at andy@andycancun.com—I’d be honored to read you and consider your suggestion.   Now, let’s get to the 43…  

A charming town was born from the ashes of America’s Civil War...in Brazil…and its name is Americana. And to this day, they celebrate their American and Confederate history…and in a really positive way.   What drove former Confederate soldiers to travel thousands of miles away to a new country, culture and way of life?  What legacies did they leave? What is Americana like today? We’ll  get into all  that and more shortly--- and I tell the story of a town called Americana. Friends, Welcome to The Mysteries of Latin America! I’m Andrew, your guide through the myths, legends, history and mysteries all around us here in Latin America, from the northern border of Mexico to the southern tip of Argentina, and all across the Caribbean Islands. I tell these stories so people like me, who have roots in a few different parts of Latin America, can know the stories of our people and our neighbors too, and also so people who don’t know a lot about the region can know a little more of what makes up our cultural DNA. Now Let’s tell the story of Americana…   Here is a link to a previous podcast episode referenced in this episode...it's about the Nazi Cult Colony in Chile...very different, but also compelling!   https://acovoice.podbean.com/e/the-nazi-cult-colony-in-chile/  

It’s 1810, and Latin America is on the brink of revolution. Behind the scenes, two secret societies—Los Guadalupes and Logia Lautaro—are orchestrating the fight for freedom and plotting huge upheavals that led to the formations of countries in what we know as North, Central and South America. Welcome to an episode I’ve called "2 Secret Societies of Latin American Revolution," where we uncover the hidden roles and dramatic impacts of these clandestine groups. Stay tuned as we dive into their stories of intrigue, danger, and the pursuit of liberty.

In 2007, near Tulum, Mexico, divers exploring the depths of Hoyo Negro, a large underwater chamber within the Sac Actun cave system, stumbled upon an ancient secret. They made the groundbreaking discovery of the skeleton of a young woman, now known as Naia. The underwater chamber they found her in is called a “cenote,” and it has been submerged since the last Ice Age, preserving not only Naia's remains but also the bones of long-extinct extinct animals we only know from fossils. Little did they know, this discovery would challenge everything we thought we knew about early human migration.   Welcome to the Mysteries of Latin America, where we dive into the myths, legends, history, and mysteries from Mexico's northern border to the southern tip of Argentina and across the Caribbean Islands. On this program, I tell stories so that those of us with roots in the region know a little more of what we’re all about, and also so that those that don’t have those roots know more of what makes up our cultural DNA. My name is Andrew Colón, and today, we uncover an incredible discovery that is reshaping our understanding of human history.   Let’s get started, friends…let’s go meet Naia.

  Welcome to another episode of the Mysteries of Latin America, where we tell stories of the myths, legends, history and mysteries of the territories between the Mexico's northern border to the southern tip of Argentina and all across the Caribbean Islands. This week's story is the true story of a woman who revolutionized health care standards in Latin America, and she began that journey at only 15 years of age... A 15-year-old girl defied all the odds In a male-dominated profession back in the late 1800’s. Eloísa Díaz, from Santiago, Chile was the first woman in Latin America to pursue a medical degree at the university level. Facing skepticism and resistance, she pushed through every barrier. And In 1887, she graduated, seven decades before women could even vote in Chile She didn’t just become a doctor; she revolutionized public health, pioneering vaccination campaigns against smallpox, diphtheria and typhoid fever... Her influence spread across Latin America, transforming healthcare. Her legacy lives on in today's healthcare standards. Eloísa Díaz... not just a doctor, but a legend who redefined an entire continent.

In the Gulf of Mexico, there was a small uninhabited island that existed on maps for centuries, and then one day it simply vanished… as if it had never existed. This is the mystery of Isla Bermeja, a phantom island in the Gulf of Mexico, northwest of the Yucatán Peninsula whose mysterious disappearance has baffled explorers, scientists, and conspiracy theorists alike. But was it ever real in the first place? One century it was there, and the next it was gone.   Friends, welcome to the Mysteries of Latin America podcast. I'm Andrew Colón, your host, where we explore the stories of the myths, legends, history and mysteries, from the Northern border of Mexico to the southern tip of Argentina and all through the Caribbean Islands.  If you're enjoying today's episode, make sure to follow, subscribe, and share our podcast with your more adventurous friends and family. Your support helps us uncover more fascinating tales like that of Bermeja Island. In this episode, we’re diving into a mystery where historical events, political intrigue, and a competition for natural resources, come together to hide a secret beneath the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This tiny island, which may or may not exist, would later become the center of a geopolitical and economic mystery that has sparked countless theories and investigations. We’ll see what history, science, and those dark conspiracies have to say about the Mystery of the Disappearance of Isla Bermejo Mexico! Now, let's get started…

The last entry in the Captain’s log said, “We are not alone”... In 1925, the SS Cotopaxi set sail from Charleston, South Carolina, bound for Havana, Cuba.  The steamship encountered a massive and fierce storm, and after sending out a cryptic distress call, it disappeared without a trace. Despite intense search efforts, neither the ship nor its crew was ever found, adding to the mystique of the area where it was lost-- Bermuda Triangle. Decades later, in the 1980s, Cuban fishermen reported sightings of what they called a 'barco fantasma'—a ghost ship drifting in and out of the mist. The legend grew until Cuban authorities claimed to have discovered the Cotopaxi. On board, they allegedly found a chilling note from the captain that read 'we are not alone.' But the mystery deepened further when others claimed to have found the real Cotopaxi wreck. Off the coast of Florida.  It’s time we unravel the truth behind this mystery.

In 1970, The US shot a missile at Mexico…and it was carrying a radioactive payload. The Athena missile, originally headed for the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, had a grave malfunction and crashed in the desert of Chihuahua, Old Mexico... while transporting Cobalt 57 in the nosecone. This was part of an Air Force testing plan for what we would later know as ICBM’s-Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, that can deliver nuclear warheads across continents. Remember the Cold War? The US sent a team to find the wreckage, deal with Mexican authorities and avoid an international incident. Since then, myths and stories about the area emerged, including "strange magnetic anomalies," mutations in plants and animals, and, of course, aliens… and it’s now called la Zona del Silencio---the Zone of Silence--Mexico's Bermuda Triangle, and people have sort of forgotten about the missile crash. Meet me on the Mysteries of Latin America podcast for the full story.   -Andrew

After World War II, the Allies listed 150,000 Nazis or sympathizers as war criminals. 50,000 of them were found and judged, leaving about 100,000 who escaped or died. Experts estimate that about 10,000 of those fled to South America. Countries like Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia were open to receiving many of these people, as they were either dictatorships themselves, had governments that sympathized with the Nazis or used Nazi-owned companies to launder money. One country, though, would have its own German “colony” formed by a former Nazi officer. That country was Chile and the place he founded was a colony that some say was a cult, Colonia Dignidad—the colony of Dignity. Friends, Welcome to the Mysteries of Latin America," where we dive into the myths, legends, mysteries and hidden stories that have shaped the region from Mexico to the Southern tip of Argentina and to the islands of the Caribbean and back. My name is Andrew Colón, and I’d like to welcome first-time visitors, longtime subscribers, fans and I invite you to subscribe and follow the podcast through whatever medium you’re listening to us. I tell these stories for two reasons: so that those of us who have roots in the region can know our stories and so the whole world can know what makes Latin America what it is today. There’s a lot to unpack. Today, we're diving into a story that I’d heard bits and pieces about, but I never expected the full story to be this dark, and once I knew it, I knew it had to be told. This is the story of Colonia Dignidad.           #ColoniaDignidad #TrueCrime #HistoricalMysteries #Documentary

In April 2024, Six indigenous women who call themselves the Ra Ra Ra team from the mountains of Chihuahua, Mexico, made history by finishing the mysterious "Speed Project" relay ultramarathon , covering roughly 340 miles from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Their community is called the Tarahumara by much of the outside world, but they call themselves Rarámuri and so will we, traditionally running long-distances in their canyon homelands and they put their skills and traditions to the test in this grueling competition.   DONATIONS LINKS: Donate to the Ra Ra Ras…Money Pool https://www.moneypool.mx/p/zp56kkg   Donate to the Raramuri Causes https://donadora.org/busca?like=tarahumara&page=1 In this episode we’ll tell you about these amazing athletes, this mysterious and secretive race, the Raramuri people, the challenges they face, some new hope for their communities, and how you can help them reach their dreams. Let’s talk about the Ra Ra Ras and the intriguing Raramuri people on this episode of the Mysteries of Latin America podcast…

The hit Netflix series La Casa de Papel, which many of you know as Money Heist, was a fictitious story about one of the world’s most daring robberies. But something like that couldn’t happen in real life, could it? On January 12, 2006, 6 men walked into the Banco Rio de Acassuso in Buenos Aires, Argentina, armed with toy guns and a bold plan. Led by a charismatic man who thought himself an artist, they walked in (some in costume) and walked out without firing a shot or hurting any of the hostages inside. And they did this while an over 200-member tactical response team was waiting to breach the entrance.   Well the cops did finally get in, but when they did, they got a big surprise. And the story only gets stranger from there. This is our newest story on the Mysteries of Latin America podcast, where we’lltell you the about the details of the operation, how they planned it, the police investigation, the arrests, if authorities got any money back and the mysteries that still surround this epic heist that people in Argentina still call the Robbery of the Century.   Narrated by Andrew Colón, and what we do here is tell stories about the myths, legends, mysteries and history of Latin America, so we know our own stories and so people all over the world can know about some of what makes the cultures of North, Central, South America and the Caribbean what they are today. If it’s your first time with us, welcome, and if you’re a returning listener, I really appreciate you coming back and I invite all of you to share, subscribe and follow the podcast however you’re catching it, and to let your likeminded friends and families know about it…little by little (or poco a poco as we might say down here) we’re building a community and I’m honored to be a part of it. Now let’s get to today’s story… of The Real Money Heist…

For many people in the US and now other countries of the world, it’s the Mexican equivalent of the fourth of July…time to put on a sombrero, eat some tacos, and drink tequila. Now while tacos and a tequila or two are generally a good idea any day of the year, on May Fifth, it’s Cinco de Mayo. But what are you really celebrating? Is it Mexican Independence day? Or is it just a chance to sell some Corona? Friends, welcome to the Mysteries of Latin America, where we tell stories about the myths, legends, mysteries and history of Latin America. And Today, it’s about history…the origin story of cinco de mayo.

In the 19th century a cholera epidemic swept through the city of Guanajuato, Mexico, taking the lives of many of the city’s residents with it. In the grips of this pandemic, bodies were hastily buried to prevent further spreading. One of them, however, was not dead. In this podcast we’ll tell you the strange thing that happened to many of the buried bodies and the horrific story of one woman, who was buried alive… This is the Mysteries of Latin America Podcast.. Friends welcome to the podcast. My name is Andrew Colon and if it’s your first time visiting, what we do here is tell stories of the many myths, legends, histories and mysteries of North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, so the whole world knows our stories. If you’re a returning listener, I really appreciate you coming back and also I send out a big gracias to all of you for listening, sharing and following us on Spotify, Apple, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Now let’s get to the mummies…

From the breathtaking cliffs of Barrancas del Cobre in Mexico to the astounding Perito Moreni Glacier in Argentina, Latin America boasts some of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in the world. But along with this splendor, there’s a darker side—it’s also a place where the earth trembles with fury, the skies unleash torrents of water and the winds howl with ferocity…reminding us of nature’s awesome power. And Cancun, my home, has not been immune...but I'm getting ahead of myself. On our latest episode of the Mysteries of Latin America podcast, we’ve put together a collection for you of the top five different natural disasters of North, Central and South America and the Caribbean…we’ll tell the stories of what we consider to be the worst earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, floods and volcanic eruptions in modern history. If this is your first-time with us, what I do here is tell stories about the myths, legends, history and mysteries of North, Central, South America and the Caribbean for the whole world to know…  

On Christmas Eve, 1971, Juliane Koepcke fell from the sky. 53 years ago, she plummeted from 3000 meters, 10000 feet, above the Amazon Rainforest.  She was the lone survivor of a plane crash in the heart of the jungle, and she not only defied all the odds and survived to tell the tale, but she began a mission to protect the very rainforest that she believes saved her life. Join us for the story of Juliane Koepcke, the girl who fell from the sky…   Friends welcome once again to the Mysteries of Latin America podcast. I’m Andrew Colón and in the episode I’ll be your guide as we tell the incredible story of someone who not only survived a plane crash, but also survived 10 days in the Amazon rainforest against incredible odds. If this is your first time listening, thanks for being here with us, and consider subscribing to the podcast so you never miss an episode and to be able to dive into the vault of over 40 podcasts where I tell stories of the myths, legends, history and mysteries of North, central, South America and the Caribbean for the whole world to know. Now let’s get to it friends…