Under the Shadow

On Sunday, October 25, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva defeated far-right Senator Flavio Bolsonaro by a margin of three and a half points, and almost 4.5 million votes. It was roughly twice the margin of the 2022 election, when Lula defeated Flavio’s father, Jair Bolsonaro.It was the first time in Brazilian history that a candidate lost the first round of voting and won the second. And it was also one of the first defeats of a far-right Trump ally in several years. As we’ve examined throughout this season of the podcast, Trump’s Donroe Doctrine has overshadowed the region since he came back into power early last year. He’s invaded Venezuela, tightened the screws on Cuba, and twisted arms to get his friends elected in countries up and down the Americas. But in Brazil, he couldn’t. And it’s not because Trump and his Silicon Valley buddies didn’t try. It’s because Lula supporters organized en masse. Students, workers, teachers, retirees, and everyone in between. And they hit the streets to flip the vote, despite the odds.They rallied with weeks of around-the-clock campaigning, marches, and protests. They pamphleted and fliered. They talked to their neighbors and their relatives. Online, Lula supporters responded with creative campaigns to confuse the algorithms that aggressively pushed content promoting Bolsonaro. As many in the crowds told me again and again in recent weeks, this election was a decision that would define the fate of Brazil’s democracy. This wasn’t a vote between two candidates in a democratic system, where one wins and the other accepts their loss. It was a decision between democracy and dictatorship. Or democracy and something else.And democracy won. We began this Season 2 of Under the Shadow in December 2025, in the weeks following the publication of Trump’s National Security Doctrine. We have now come full circle, closing with the shifting tides that helped to lift Lula to reelection.Guests: Alexander AviñaSean T. MitchelResources About Lula’s Election in Brazil:Lula Wins Stunning Upset Over Flávio Bolsonaro in Blow to Far Right & Trump — Democracy Now!Lula wins fourth term in tight run-off against BolsonaroPresident Lula Wins Brazil’s Elections in Surprising VictoryFollow Under the Shadow on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.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, produced, mixed, and edited by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox. This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA. It is supported, in part, by Global Exchange. 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 and Epidemic Sound. Panamerican DispatchYou can check out Michael Fox's new reporting project on Brazil at panamericandispatch.org. It's called Panamerican Dispatch.  It's a project of The Real News in partnership with Global Exchange. The website is www.panamericandispatch.orgFollow us on social media:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/padispatch.bsky.socialX: x.com/PAdispatchIG: instagram.com/padispatchTiktok: tiktok.com/@padispatchSupport 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.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/under-the-shadow--5958129/support.Follow Under the Shadow on Spotify and Apple PodcastsHelp 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 first round of voting on October 4, Trump-ally, far-right presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro came in two points ahead of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silvia. Lula supporters have been responding both in the streets and online. And they have been closing the gap, but it’s an uphill battle. Big Tech—and in particular Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp—have been helping to lift Bolsonaro’s presence online over that of President Lula.Meta temporarily suspended Lula’s campaign page on Facebook, blocked more than 1,000 pro-Lula accounts, and allowed its algorithm to benefit Bolsonaro while hindering Lula’s campaign. Meta admits that there has not been parity in its treatment of the candidates but it blames mechanical glitches.Meanwhile, a Meta AI chatbot admitted to one graduate student that “Meta indeed has a clear political and economic interest in the election of Flávio Bolsonaro.” Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is a close political ally of US President Donald Trump. Flávio Bolsonaro has promised that if he is elected, he will join Trump’s Counter Cartel Coalition and open up Brazil’s rare earth minerals to the United States. That is something that Big Tech companies are interested in, because those minerals are necessary for their hardware, AI, and data centers.Brazilians have protested at Meta’s headquarters in São Paulo. And they have turned to creativity to try to break the bubble of the algorithm and spread their message to precious undecided voters, who can make or break this election.Meta and its secret algorithm have become the latest tool of US intervention in Latin America. It is not a branch of the US government. But it’s working in tandem. In this episode, host Michael Fox speaks with Brazil-based journalist Brian Mier. They discuss where things are now, what’s at stake, and in particular look at the role that Meta is playing ahead of the second round of the Brazilian elections on Sunday.Brian Mier has master’s degrees from Loyola University Chicago and the University of London. He’s lived in Brazil for more than 30 years and he co-hosts a weekly Portuguese-language web TV program called Globalistas on Brasil 247. Mier is an editor of Panamerican Dispatch, which was launched ahead of the Brazilian vote.Guests: Brian MierJoao Feres JuniorResources About Meta in Brazil: Meta Censors Over 1,080 Accounts Supporting Lula During Brazilian ElectionsWhistleblower Exposes Meta, Bolsonaro, and Cerimedo Election Meddling PartnershipMeta Acknowledges the Reduced Reach of Lula’s ProfilesBeyond Meta AI, Other AI Platforms Steer Content Against LulaMeta Discovers New Tool to Sabotage Lula’s CampaignMeta AI Admits and Explains Pro-Bolsonaro ManipulationReport Reveals Flávio Bolsonaro’s Campaign Paid AI Company to Manipulate ElectionsMeta Reaps Highest Corporate Earnings in Brazil’s 2026 ElectionsMeta Ignores Brazilian Court Order to End Bolsonaro FavoritismComplaint filed to disqualify Bolsonaro ticket over Meta ‘algorithmic manipulation’Hundreds Protest at Meta Headquarters in Brazil Against Far-Right BiasUN Presses Meta Over Manipulation in Brazil’s ElectionBrian Mier’s Substack, Delinking BrazilBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/under-the-shadow--5958129/support.Follow Under the Shadow on Spotify and Apple PodcastsHelp 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

Brazil votes this Sunday, and the Trump administration has spent months trying to tilt the outcome toward far-right presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro. Tariffs. Terrorist designations. Revoked visas. Frequent meetings with the Bolsonaro family. Taken alone, each move looks random. Put the pieces together, and a picture emerges: U.S. interference in Brazil's 2026 elections. Over the last year, Trump has met frequently with members of the Bolsonaro family. In June, the State Department put two Brazilian gangs on the terrorist list. Just a few weeks later, Trump shared an article on Truth Social that said Brazil was his next big challenge. Less than a month later, in July, Trump imposed new 25% tariffs on Brazilian goods. In August, Trump revoked the U.S. visa of the Brazilian ambassador. The Brazilian Intelligence Agency recently raised the risk of external influence and interference by the United States in Brazil’s 2026 elections to a quote, “critical level.”This is Episode 15 of Under the Shadow, Season 2. 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.Follow Under the Shadow on Spotify and Apple PodcastsHosted by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox. This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA. It is supported, in part, by Global Exchange.VOTE by October 15: Under the Shadow has been nominated for three podcast Signal Awards. Please consider voting for Under the Shadow and The Real News:https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/shows/craft/best-host-documentaryhttps://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/individual-episodes/craft/most-innovative-audio-experiencehttps://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/individual-episodes/genre/activism-public-service-social-impacthttps://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/shows/genre/documentaryPanamerican Dispatch You can check out Michael Fox's new reporting project on Brazil, Panamerican Dispatch. It's a project of The Real News in partnership with Global Exchange. The website is www.panamericandispatch.org.You can also follow us on social media below:Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/padispatch.bsky.socialX x.com/PAdispatchIG instagram.com/padispatchTiktok www.tiktok.com/@padispatchTheme 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 and Epidemic Sound. Script editing by Heather Gies. Hosted, written, produced, mixed, and edited by Michael Fox.Guests: Alexander MainMaria Martha BrunoIgor FuserResources: Visit Panamerican Dispatch for all of the latest news on BrazilYou can visit Agencia Public for their reporting and analysis about Brazil. Here is Agencia Publica’s investigación, Digital Militia. Many thanks to Jake Johnston from the Center for Economic and Policy Research and Maria Martha Bruno, from Agencia Publica, for taking the time to speak with me and for their excellent analysis and insight.You can visit CEPR’s Live Tracker on Latin America.You can check out Michael Fox’s Patreon.More background… The 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 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 subscribe to Michael Fox's new free speech podcast, The Battle for Free Speech  On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033olXvh3dLzQFJc1HSd6O?si=7eda46a92fe14894 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-battle-for-free-speech/id1896829044 Or wherever you get your podcasts.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/under-the-shadow--5958129/support.Follow Under the Shadow on Spotify and Apple PodcastsHelp 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

Fernando Cerimedo. A name that unless you follow Latin America closely, you likely have never heard.He’s been called “MAGA’s man” in Latin America. And he is at the heart of a shocking scandal that includes “attempted femicide,” election rigging, fake news, disinformation and powerful political ties to far-right presidents across Latin America, and even the White House, under Donald Trump.It’s big news in Latin America, even though it's been largely under the radar in the United States, until now.The scandal has dire implications for the legitimacy of elections up and down the Americas, including elections where U.S. President Donald Trump has been throwing his weight around over the last year. Elections where right-wingers have won close, but shocking victories. And big elections are coming up in Brazil and elsewhere.This is Episode 14 of Under the Shadow, Season 2.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.Follow Under the Shadow on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Hosted by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA.It is supported, in part, by Global Exchange.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 and Epidemic Sound.Script editing by Heather Gies. Hosted, written, produced, mixed, and edited by Michael Fox.Guests: Jake JohnstonMaria Martha BrunoResources: Progressive International’s Investigation into Fernando Cerimedo — How to Steal a Hemisphere: Fernando Cerimedo and the Heist of Latin American DemocracyFacebook não barra anúncios com desinformação sobre eleições brasileirasYou can visit Agencia Public for their reporting and analysis about Brazil. Here is Agencia Publica’s investigación, Digital Militia. Many thanks to Jake Johnston from the Center for Economic and Policy Research and Maria Martha Bruno, from Agencia Publica, for taking the time to speak with me and for their excellent analysis and insight.You can visit CEPR’s Live Tracker on Latin America.You can check out Michael Fox’s Patreon.More background… The 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 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 subscribe to Michael Fox's new free speech podcast, The Battle for Free Speech on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033olXvh3dLzQFJc1HSd6O?si=7eda46a92fe14894Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-battle-for-free-speech/id1896829044Or wherever you get your podcasts.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/under-the-shadow--5958129/support.Follow Under the Shadow on Spotify and Apple PodcastsHelp 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

This week marks the 1-year anniversary of Trump’s boat strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific oceans. On September 2, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the first air strike on a boat in the Caribbean. Trump said the boat allegedly carried drugs off the coast of Venezuela. It marked the beginning of a hostile U.S. foreign policy that has seen the U.S. invade Venezuela, unleash a devastating oil blockade on Cuba, and justify it all under a renewed Monroe Doctrine, which the President is calling his Donroe Doctrine.Meanwhile, the boat strikes have continued until today, even though Trump administration officials say they have not actually decreased the amount of drugs arriving on U.S. soil. As of this week, the U.S. government has attacked at least 68 boats over the last year, killing more than 220 people.The Trump administration is now using his foreign policy to attack progressive opponents at home, labelling them pawns of Cuba, and "one of the single largest, most sophisticated and dangerous vectors for hostile foreign influence in modern American history."In this episode, Michael Fox walks through the anniversary of the boat strikes. He dissects a new Cuban report published by the State Department to attack dissidents at home, and then looks at the regional resistance to Trump at the Panamerican Congress, which was held in August in Montevideo, Uruguay. This is Episode 13 of Under the Shadow, Season 2.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 by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA.It is supported, in part, by Global Exchange.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 and Epidemic Sound.Script editing by Heather Gies.Hosted, written, produced, mixed, and edited by Michael Fox.Guests: Alexander MainJake JohnstonResources: Belly of the Beast is a U.S-based independent media outlet, reporting from Havana. Many thanks for their incredible ongoing work. You can visit their site here: www.bellyofthebeastcuba.comBelow are links to the video clips used in today’s episode: “Helping” Cuba While Destroying Its Economyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TRYNU9-h5AThis History Professor Graded Marco Rubio's Cuba Report. He Got an F.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8hqJI4kOWcMany thanks to Alex Main and Jake Johnston from the Center for Economic and Policy Research for taking the time to speak with me and for their excellent analysis and insight.You can visit CEPR’s Live Tracker on Latin America.You can check out Michael Fox’s Patreon.More background… The 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 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 subscribe to Michael Fox's new free speech podcast, The Battle for Free Speech On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033olXvh3dLzQFJc1HSd6O?si=7eda46a92fe14894Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-battle-for-free-speech/id1896829044Or wherever you get your podcasts.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/under-the-shadow--5958129/support.Follow Under the Shadow on Spotify and Apple PodcastsHelp 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