Latin America: In the Shadow of the US | Ep 1 – Coups
US-backed coups reshape Latin America, toppling democracies and fuelling decades of dictatorship, secrecy, and revolt.

US-backed coups reshape Latin America, toppling democracies and fuelling decades of dictatorship, secrecy, and revolt.





![Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva delivers a speech during the Ceremony in Defence of Democracy in Brasilia, on January 8, 2026 [Evaristo Sa/AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AFP__20260108__922U8C8__v1__HighRes__BrazilCoupAttemptAnniversary-1769227401.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)




Protesters have rallied worldwide after Donald Trump announced the US would ‘run’ Venezuela.
Bolsonaro’s latest petition, one in a series, comes after he spent the week in hospital for a hernia and hiccups.

As Brazil heads toward elections in 2026, millions live in fear. Nearly one in five Brazilians is affected by gangs.
Move comes after a former police chief convicted in the coup plot was caught in Paraguay trying to flee to El Salvador.
Ex-Brazilian police chief caught using fake Paraguay passport in attempt to board flight to Panama, sent back to Brazil.
Bolsonaro’s operation addressed a painful double hernia; doctors anticipate five to seven days of hospitalisation.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes has approved a request for the ex-president to leave prison for hernia treatment.
EU delays Mercosur trade deal until January amid farmer protests and opposition from France and Italy.
European champions Paris Saint-Germain pushed all the way in Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar by South Americans.