Guatemala. United Fruit. | Under the Shadow, Ep 2

In the second episode of Under the Shadow, host Michael Fox digs into the past to examine the outsized role one US banana corporation, United Fruit, played in shaping the history of modern Central America. While literally walking in the footsteps of those who worked at United Fruit’s former central Guatemalan operation in the town of Tiquisate, Fox goes in search of the legacy of the company today. Then, like taking an elevator to the past, Fox takes us to the heyday of United Fruit’s economic dominance, and to the 1954 CIA coup that overthrew Guatemala’s democratically elected president in the name of “anti-communism” and the preservation of US corporate interests (namely, the interests of United Fruit).<br /><br />Later in the episode, and more in the next episode, we return to present day to look at the upcoming inauguration of new Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, the son of the country’s first democratic president, who will be sworn in on Jan. 14, 2024.<br /><br /><i>Under the Shadow</i> is a new 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.<br /><br />Hosted by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox. This podcast is produced in partnership between <a href="https://www.therealnews.com" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The Real News Network</a> and <a href="https://nacla.org/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">NACLA (North American Congress on Latin America)</a>.<br /><br />Edited by Heather Gies and Maximillian Alvarez.<br />Sound design by <a href="https://twitter.com/coletivocatarse" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Gustavo Türck</a>.<br />Theme music by <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nexDyQCZI89JH8zsYu5wa" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Monte Perdido.</a><br />Other music from Blue Dot Sessions.<br /><br /><b>Additional links:</b><br /><br />Support journalist Michael Fox or <i>Under the Shadow</i> at <br /><a href="https://www.patreon.com/mfox" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/mfox</a><br /><br />Support NACLA: <a href="http://nacla.org/donate" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">nacla.org/donate</a><br />Follow NACLA on X: <a href="https://twitter.com/NACLA" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/NACLA</a><br />Like NACLA on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nacla/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/nacla/</a><br /><b></b><br />Help The Real News Network continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer: <br /><b><br /></b><b>Donate: <a href="https://support.therealnews.com/-/XGHNRVVY" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">therealnews.com/uts-pod-donate</a></b><br /><b>Sign up for our newsletter: <a href="https://therealnews.com/eos-pod-subscribe" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://therealnews.com/uts-pod-subscribe</a></b><br /><br />Like us on Facebook: <a href="https://facebook.com/therealnews" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://facebook.com/therealnews</a><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/therealnews" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/therealnews</a><br /><br />Become a supporter of this podcast: <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-news-podcast--2952221/support?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=rss">https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-news-podcast--2952221/support</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-news-podcast--2952221/support" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.</a><br /><b></b><br /><b>Follow us on:</b><br /><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/therealnews.com" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Bluesky: @therealnews.com</a><b><br /></b><a href="https://facebook.com/therealnews" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Facebook: The Real News Network</a><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/therealnews" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Twitter: @TheRealNews</a><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/therealnews" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">YouTube: @therealnews</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/therealnewsnetwork/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Instagram: @therealnewsnetwork</a><br /><a href="https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-news-podcast--2952221/support" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><b></b></a><br /><b></b><a href="https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-news-podcast--2952221/support" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><b>Become a member and join the Supporters Club for The Real News Podcast today!</b></a>