Debunking Venezuela

In the hours after the Jan. 3 US invasion of Venezuela, social media was inundated with fake videos and images. Some showed Venezuelans holding huge rallies in favor of the US invasion. Others showed US troops landing or firing from helicopters. Others showed Maduro being kidnapped. Not all were AI. Some were old, showing anti-government rallies from years past. Or from other places—other invasions or bombing raids, unrelated to the current US attack. But these videos racked up tons of views, misleading millions of people about what was happening on the ground. Many of those people still don’t know the truth. It was only the tip of the iceberg.

Today, host Michael Fox looks at the misconceptions, myths, and misinformation that has been spread about Venezuela in the wake of the US invasion and, together with political scientist Steve Ellner, dives headfirst into the biased reporting and slanted truths that have underpinned the mainstream narrative on Venezuela in recent weeks, years, and decades. 

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, and produced by Michael Fox. Script editing 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.

Guests: 
Steve Ellner
Tal Hagin

Resources 

• X users and media outlets fact checking the wave of fake videos and images posted online following the January 3 US invasion of Venezuela:
  • AI video
  • Misinformation … Venezuela / great stuff - January 5
  • January 4
  • January 3
  • AP - Ouster of Venezuela's Maduro unleashes waves of misinformation online
  • Chavez Mausoleum 
  • A.I. Images of Maduro Spread Rapidly, Despite Safeguards
  • Fact Check: Viral Video of Maduro Arrest Celebration Is AI-Generated

• Under the Shadow
  • You can check out the first season of Under the Shadow by clicking here
  • The Beginning: Monroe And Migration | Under The Shadow, Episode 1
  • Panama. Us Invasion. | Under The Shadow, Episode 13
  • The 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 America
    • Caribbean Leaders Call for Unified Latin American Resistance to US Attacks
    • Trump’s Monroe Doctrine 2.0 Outlines Imperial Intentions for Latin America

• NACLA’s Curated Guide to the US Attack on Venezuela 
• Truthout’s ongoing reporting on War and Peace and the US invasion of Venezuela
• Visit TRNN for all of The Real News’s coverage on this and so much more.

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 check out Michael’s recent episode of Stories of Resistance about the protests against US intervention in Venezuela.


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