Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Poblete Dispatches

In this episode of Poblete Dispatches, Jason Poblete sits down with retired FBI Special Agent Robb Douglas to talk travel awareness and intentional deterrence.

Drawing from decades of counterterrorism and overseas assignments, Rob offers practical, real-world advice for travelers headed to high-risk regions like Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. The conversation covers everything from fraud prevention and cultural sensitivity to what to do in case of emergency detention or legal trouble abroad.

Key takeaways include the importance of enrolling in the State Department’s STEP program, preparing emergency contacts and legal documents, knowing local laws, and respecting customs. Whether you're traveling for business, mission work, or vacation, this episode delivers essential tips to stay safe, avoid trouble, and travel smart.

🔐 Actionable tips: Document prep, emergency planning, fraud awareness, and legal protections.
💡 Next episode will go deeper into real-world cases and prevention strategies.

In this episode of The Poblete Dispatches, host Jason Poblete sits down with Betty Marroquín—former Guatemalan diplomat, political leader, and recent vice presidential candidate—for a candid and timely discussion on one of Latin America's most critical political and security frontlines.

They explore the escalating challenges of transnational organized crime, the implications for regional and U.S. national security, and the strategic importance of maintaining strong bilateral ties between Guatemala and the United States.

Listeners will hear Marroquín’s insights on current political tensions, including a potentially explosive revelation: an alleged investigation, initiated by Guatemala’s controversial Attorney General Consuelo Porras, into misuse of U.S. taxpayer funds through USAID or other US government programs. The episode raises serious questions about accountability, sovereignty, and U.S. foreign aid oversight in the region.

From confidential reports to the U.S. Congress to the future of U.S.-Guatemala diplomacy, this episode delivers perspective that few insiders can provide.

🔍 Is the U.S. aid model in Central America due for a reset?
🇺🇸🇬🇹 Why should Americans care about Guatemala right now?

Don’t miss this dynamic and potentially news-breaking conversation on The Poblete Dispatches.

In this episode of Poblete Dispatches, Jason Poblete speaks with Enrique “Ric” Prado, former CIA operations officer and author of Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior.

Ric shares insights from his incredible career spanning the Cold War and the Age of Terrorism, offering a rare glimpse into the covert operations designed to protect America from threats at home and abroad.

From firefights in Cuba as a child to heading the CIA’s Bin Laden Task Force, Ric’s experiences provide a gripping account of courage, creativity, and dedication to national security.

Join us as we delve into the shadowy world of espionage and the personal stories behind the headlines.

In this special episode, Jason Poblete (appearing at the 16:46 time stamp) is a guest on the Spanish-language program hosted by award-winning journalist Gabriel Bauducco alongside renowned human rights advocate María Werlau of Archivo Cuba.

Together, they pull back the curtain on Cuba’s international medical missions—a program long promoted as an act of solidarity, but in reality, an elaborate system of forced labor and state-sponsored human trafficking.

Drawing from decades of legal and policy experience in U.S. sanctions and international law, Poblete details the most recent U.S. sanctions aimed at dismantling this exploitative network, explaining their impact on the Cuban dictatorship and its global partners.

🎯 This episode aired in Spanish, and we are currently working on English-dubbed versions—stay tuned.

🔍 Key Topics:

• Who truly profits from Cuba’s overseas medical missions?

• How do these agreements function between Havana and foreign governments?

• What do the new U.S. sanctions signal about future accountability?

🎧 A must-watch conversation for anyone focused on Latin American policy, human rights law, and transnational repression.

📌 Be sure to subscribe to Poblete Dispatches and turn on notifications to stay current on legal and policy developments impacting freedom, sovereignty, and security in the Western Hemisphere.

📺 Watch now on Gabriel Bauducco’s Channel. English-language version coming soon.

#PobleteDispatches #GabrielBauducco #Cuba #HumanRights #Sanctions #ModernSlavery #ArchivoCuba #JasonPoblete #LatinAmerica

🎧 Poblete Dispatches – Special Episode: USAID, DOGE, and Latin American Politics (In Spanish! - with Jason as a guest, not the host)

This episode is unique for two reasons: Jason Poblete is the guest, and the conversation is entirely in Spanish!

The Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom at Florida International University (FIU) hosted Jason on their podcast, Contracorriente, led by award-winning Mexican journalist Gabriel Bauducco. Bauducco, a respected author and journalist, has won the National Journalism Award (2016) and is a leading voice in Latin American media. His show, Contracorriente, is part of FIU’s efforts to engage in meaningful discussions on politics and economics.

🎙️ In this episode, Jason discusses:

✅ The role of USAID in Latin America and U.S. foreign policy shifts.

✅ DOGE and its place in economic and financial conversations.

✅ Latin American politics and the evolving geopolitical landscape.

📢 Don’t miss this special episode in Spanish! Be sure to check out Contracorriente on YouTube and subscribe to their channel:

🔗 ⁠The Adam Smith Center YouTube Channel⁠

🚀 Also, stay tuned—Poblete Dispatches has a fresh new look, and we’ll be back with more content soon!

🎧 Poblete Dispatches – Episodio Especial: USAID, DOGE y la Política en América Latina (En Español – con Jason como invitado, no como anfitrión)

Este episodio es único por dos razones: Jason Poblete es el invitado y la conversación es completamente en español.

El Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom de la Florida International University (FIU) recibió a Jason en su pódcast Contracorriente, dirigido por el reconocido periodista mexicano Gabriel Bauducco. Bauducco, escritor y periodista galardonado, ganó el Premio Nacional de Periodismo (2016) y es una de las voces más influyentes en los medios de América Latina. Su programa, Contracorriente, forma parte de la iniciativa de FIU para promover debates profundos sobre política y economía.

🎙️ En este episodio, Jason habla sobre:
✅ El papel de USAID en América Latina y los cambios en la política exterior de EE.UU.
✅ DOGE y su impacto en las conversaciones económicas y financieras.
✅ La política en América Latina y la evolución del panorama geopolítico.

📢 ¡No te pierdas este episodio especial en español! No olvides visitar el canal de Contracorriente en YouTube y suscribirte:
🔗 The Adam Smith Center YouTube Channel

🚀 Además, quédate atento—Poblete Dispatches tiene un nuevo diseño y pronto estaremos de regreso con más contenido.

Este texto mantiene el tono profesional y atractivo para la audiencia hispanohablante. ¡Déjame saber si quieres algún ajuste! 🚀

YouTube Description:

🎙 GLA Quick Take | Jason Poblete on EWTN News Nightly: Nicaraguan Dictatorship Kidnaps & Expels Another Priest 🎙

Originally recorded in December 2024, this GLA Quick Take is being re-released in light of recent developments in Nicaragua, where the Ortega dictatorship continues its brutal crackdown on the Catholic Church.

Jason Poblete, co-founder of the Global Liberty Alliance (GLA), joins EWTN News Nightly to discuss:
✅ The Ortega regime’s systematic persecution of clergy and religious leaders.
✅ Why priests and bishops are being kidnapped, expelled, and silenced.
✅ The broader human rights implications of Nicaragua’s dictatorship.
✅ What the U.S. and international community can do to push back.

As religious freedom and human rights violations escalate, it is critical to keep the spotlight on Nicaragua and hold the Ortega regime accountable.

📌 Subscribe to the GLA Podcast for more updates on global human rights, religious liberty, and legal advocacy.

#GLA #JasonPoblete #EWTN #ReligiousFreedom #Nicaragua #HumanRights #CatholicChurch #Persecution #OrtegaRegime

This show was recorded two years ago, with GLA's Jason Poblete and hosted by Montse Alvarado, EWTN News In Depth, talks about the Catholic Church in Cuba.

EWTN News In Depth welcomes guests in a discussion of current events in the Church, politics, and culture, all through the lens of the Catholic faith.

This show is about finding out who we are as people and as Catholics, and how we can confidently live our faith in the world. “It is systemic persecution … and it’s not going to change as long as the Communist Party controls the island.” Jason Poblete, President of the Global Legal Defense Fund, breaks down Cuba’s complicated relationship with the Catholic Church.

Dive into a concise yet incisive episode as GLA's Jason Poblete offers his quick take on the latest headline-grabber: President Trump's designation of cartels as terrorist organizations, a topic spotlighted on EWTN. In this episode, Jason unpacks this bold move's political and security implications with EWTN Catholic nightly news anchor Tracy Sabol, exploring how it could reshape U.S. policy and the broader fight against organized crime. Perfect for listeners seeking a fast, informed analysis, this quick take delivers sharp insights into a complex and controversial decision.

🎙 GLA Quick Take | Jason Poblete on EWTN News Nightly: Mexico’s New President Sparks Controversy with Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe 🎙

In this GLA Quick Take, recorded in [Month] 2024 and re-released due to ongoing discussions, Jason Poblete, co-founder of the Global Liberty Alliance (GLA), joins EWTN News Nightly to break down the latest controversy surrounding Mexico’s new president and the use of the sacred image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

In this episode, Poblete discusses:
✅ Why the use of religious symbols in politics is sparking debate in Mexico.
✅ The historical and spiritual significance of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the Mexican people.
✅ How the controversy is playing into larger concerns about government, faith, and national identity.
✅ The reaction from Catholic leaders, the public, and the international community.

📌 Stay informed on religious freedom, Latin American politics, and global human rights. Subscribe to the GLA Podcast for more updates!

#GLA #JasonPoblete #EWTN #Mexico #OurLadyofGuadalupe #ReligiousFreedom #CatholicChurch #FaithandPolitics #LatinAmerica

Bill Gent with Divine Mercy Radio on Florida's Space Coast welcomes Jason Poblete, president and co-founder of The Global Liberty Alliance, to discuss his work representing Americans unlawfully detained in other nations.

Divine Mercy Radio's mission is to proclaim, through radio, the Good News of Jesus Christ and to communicate His truths, as found in Sacred Scripture and Tradition and in the magisterial teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Divine Mercy Radio commenced broadcasting on Divine Mercy Sunday 2008, bringing the message of the love and mercy of God to people of all faiths and no faith, the reality of Jesus' presence to those seeking meaning in their lives, and the promises of Jesus to those oppressed by sin, guilt, anxieties, and addictions. Learn more by following this link.

We received a lot of good feedback from several listeners about the show with my good friend, Caleb McCarry.

I also listened to a podcast recommended by a friend who follows these issues and recorded with former Congressman Joe Garcia (D-Fla.) about some related Cuba issues (here is the link).

In summary, when considering US/Cuba relations, without justice and accountability, we can never really move the needle in a meaningful way.

In this thought-provoking episode, Jason Poblete, president of the Global Liberty Alliance, sits down with Mr. Caleb McCarry, a distinguished foreign policy expert currently advising at Pax Sapiens.

Together, they delve into the nuances of policymaking, conflict resolution, and the complex challenges of foreign policy, mainly focusing on hot-button issues in the Western Hemisphere, like Venezuela and Cuba. Drawing on Caleb's extensive background in international relations, this conversation offers unique insights into the strategies and considerations involved in navigating global diplomacy and promoting democracy.

You can tune in to gain a deeper understanding of these critical issues from two seasoned experts in the field.

In this compelling episode of the Global Liberty Alliance Podcast, host Jason Poblete is joined by Dr. Kylie Moore-Gilbert, the Australian academic who endured a harrowing experience as a hostage in Iran. Now released and reclaiming her freedom, Dr. Moore-Gilbert shares her profound insights and the details of her ordeal.

Her book, The Uncaged Sky, 804 Days In an Iranian Prison, is available on Amazon.

This conversation delves deep into her newly published book, where she vividly recounts her experiences and the mental, emotional, and physical challenges she faced during her captivity. Dr. Moore-Gilbert opens up about the darkest moments of her imprisonment and the resilience she mustered to survive.

Listeners will also get a glimpse into her life post-release. Dr. Moore-Gilbert discusses her current endeavors, her advocacy for other unjustly detained individuals, and how her experience has reshaped her perspective on life and liberty. Kylie's story is not just a story of survival; it's a testament to the human spirit's indomitable will to overcome the most daunting circumstances.

Join us for a journey of courage, hope, and the relentless pursuit of freedom. Tune in to the Global Liberty Alliance Podcast for this inspiring and eye-opening episode with Dr. Kylie Moore-Gilbert.

Mark your calendars for #TuneInTuesday next week (January 30, 2024)! 📅 Join our latest #podcast to discover the recent works of former Iran hostage Dr. Kylie Moore-Gilbert. Learn how you can contribute to the fight against #EndHostageDiplomacy. 🎙️🌍

In the latest episode of the Global Liberty Alliance Podcast, airing on January 16, 2024, host Jason Poblete welcomes back a special guest, Katherine Swidan, to continue the conversation about her son, Mark Swidan, an American wrongfully imprisoned in China.

The case update, released just two days after Mark's 49th birthday, offers an in-depth update on his situation, highlighting recent developments and the ongoing efforts of his family to secure his freedom. Katherine's return to the show underscores the personal and emotional aspects, providing listeners with a unique and heartfelt perspective on the struggles and resilience of those fighting for justice in challenging international legal environments.

This episode is essential for anyone interested in human rights, international relations, and the continued advocacy for Mark Swidan's release.

Further Reading

• GoFundMe for Katherine and Mark
• Congressional Resolution on Mark Swidan

In the upcoming episode of the Global Liberty Alliance (GLA) podcast with Jason Poblete, we confront a significant discrepancy in the Biden administration's announcement last year. The administration declared the release of all Americans detained in Iran, implying a complete return of all Americans and U.S. nationals held hostage in Iran. This statement, however, was not entirely accurate - in fact, it was incorrect. GLA has asked Congress to conduct oversight on this matter.

The release excluded several Americans and U.S. nationals, including Jimmy Sharmahd from California and Shahab Dalili from Virginia. The Global Liberty Alliance (GLA) has identified additional cases of unjust imprisonment or hostage situations in Iran, underscoring the gravity of the issue.

In this episode, we feature a discussion with Jimmy’s daughter, Gazelle. Jason and Gazelle delve into efforts to facilitate Jimmy's release. This conversation raises pressing questions: Why was Jimmy Sharmahd, among others, left behind? Are more Americans and U.S. nationals detained abroad facing similar neglect? We also ponder on how America can improve its response to such situations. Additionally, the broader implications of these cases on all Americans are explored.

Tune in as we strive to uncover truths, navigate the intricacies of these international diplomatic challenges, and discuss actionable steps you can take to make a difference. Join us in this enlightening journey for answers and awareness.

Additional Reading

• GLA Sharmahd Matter

(SPANISH EPISODE) In this compelling episode of the Global Liberty Alliance podcast, host Jason Poblete and special guest Uruguayan lawyer Sabrina Pelaez dive into one of GLA's high-profile cases: the trafficking of Cuban healthcare professionals in Uruguay. They discuss these individuals' disturbing realities and broader implications for global health and human rights.

Poblete and Pelaez provide insight into the complex legal, human rights, and ethical issues at play while also detailing how the Global Liberty Alliance's relentless efforts exposed the illegal network behind this trafficking. Utilizing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) laws in Uruguay and engaging in administrative and criminal legal procedures, GLA has brought to light the mechanisms of this exploitation, paving the way for policy changes and legal remedies.

This episode highlights the plight of Cuban healthcare workers and sheds light on the power of legal advocacy in combatting human rights abuses. Listeners will leave with a deeper understanding of the challenges in this fight and the critical role organizations like GLA play in advocating for justice and human dignity, advancing US national interests one case at a time.

If you want to learn about the program discussed in this episode, please follow this link to GLA's Uruguay page.

This podcast episode features a dynamic discussion with Alireza Nader, an expert on Iran based in Washington D.C., and Jason Poblete, President of the Global Liberty Alliance and a specialist in national security law and international law. The focus of their conversation is the recent events of October 7, specifically the attacks on Israel by Hamas, which is understood to be a proxy of Iran. They explore the complexity of these events, discussing their implications and intricacies from a variety of perspectives. Additionally, they delve into the prospects and challenges of democracy-building efforts in Iran, considering what the future might hold in this context.

On this day 44 years ago, Iranian militants seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans hostage. This event marked the beginning of the Iran hostage crisis, which lasted for 444 days until January 20, 1981.

Dive into a compelling conversation between Jason Poblete, president of the Global Liberty Alliance, and Marine Corps Sgt: Rodney "Rocky" Sickman, a former Iran Hostage. Together, Rocky and Jason revisit the tumultuous events of the 1979 hostage crisis and shed light on its lasting implications. Drawing parallels with current events, this podcast offers a unique blend of historical insights and modern perspectives on global liberty and justice.

Rocky is currently working with Folds of Honor, a non-profit that provides educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. The organization was founded by Major Dan Rooney in 2007, following his return from his second tour in Iraq as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Please consider supporting this worthwhile cause. Follow this link!

In an interview with EWTN, Jason Poblete, President of the Global Liberty Alliance, discussed the escalating assault on religious freedom in Nicaragua. The Ortega regime has intensified its crackdown on Christian communities, targeting both Catholic and Protestant leaders. Notably, a dozen Protestant leaders were sentenced to 10-15 years in prison and fined over $880 million on charges of money laundering related to evangelical events.

Last month the Miami Herald published an interesting story by Nora Gámez Torres, "How Miami companies are secretly fueling the dramatic growth of Cuba’s private businesses." A link is posted below. In this podcast, Jason discusses how this is nothing new and how politicians and activists continue to peddle the fiction that Cuba has a private sector.

Further Reading

• How Miami companies are secretly fueling the dramatic growth of Cuba’s private businesses, The Miami Herald (Jun. 23, 2023).
• The Road to Freedom, Grounded in the Rule of Law, Jason Poblete, Global Liberty Alliance and FIU (Nov. 2022).

Podcast Description:

Global Liberty Alliance (GLA) President Jason Poblete joins NewsNation to discuss the case of Mark Swidan, an American wrongfully detained in China for over a decade. Poblete provides insight into Swidan’s ordeal, the diplomatic and legal challenges in securing his release, and the broader implications of state hostage-taking. He also highlights the urgent need for stronger U.S. action to bring Swidan home and protect Americans abroad. Tune in for expert analysis on human rights, international law, and the fight for justice.

Jason Poblete is joined by our friend in Central America, businesswoman, former vice presidential candidate, and fellow liberty warrior Betty Marroquin to discuss a wide range of issues, including Communist China meddling in the region, the upcoming Guatemala elections and the sanctioning of the Guatemala Attorney General by the Biden administration (GLA interviewed Guatemala Attorney Porras on a prior podcast that you can listen to by following this link).

Nicaragua remains under the control and authoritarian rule of Daniel Ortega and his party, the Sandinista National Liberation Front. The government has a long and well-documented record of violating fundamental human rights, censoring free speech, and suppressing political opposition. A staunch ally of Russia and Communist China, Nicaragua, with Cuba's assistance, continues to undermine U.S. national and security interests in the region quietly.

Religious freedom is an essential indicator of democracy because it reflects the principles of individual liberty and equality before the law, which are fundamental to democratic societies. When individuals are free to practice their religion or belief system without fear of persecution or discrimination, it is a sign that the government is respecting their fundamental human rights and upholding the rule of law.

In August 2020, we ⁠recorded a podcast⁠ with a Nicaragua priest about religious persecution in Nicaragua, especially toward Catholics and other Christians. Close to three years later, the situation is not surprisingly any better; it's worse. Biden administration officials recently announced the release of over 200 political prisoners in Nicaragua. A well-known Nicaraguan Catholic Bishop was also released, but he decided to stay in jail. Why?

This podcast explores and discusses these issues with Roberto Bendaña from Texas. A Nicaraguan American, Roberto is persona non grata in Nicaragua and is not allowed to visit his ancestral homeland because of his staunch defense of liberty and fundamental rights. Roberto, a businessman and political activist, seeks solutions to help both nations chart a new way forward without Sandinista rule.

Further Reading

• 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nicaragua
• Nicaragua in Political Limbo, America Can Help, Jason Poblete's substack (Apr. 2, 2022)
• "Inestabilidad democrática en Nicaragua no ayuda a nadie en el hemisferio," La Prensa newspaper (Dec. 21, 2017).

In a November 15, 2022, podcast with the Fakhoury Foundation, the Fakhoury family from New Hampshire shared how they set out over two years ago to find out what happened to Amer Fakhoury, who died as a result of injuries that he sustained while in the custody of Lebanon's corrupt security services or Lebanon's equivalent of our CIA and FBI wrapped up in one. Be sure to listen to that show! In this episode, two of Amer's daughters, Guila and Zoya, provide an update and discuss current events with GLA's Jason Poblete beyond the story and how events in Lebanon may be impacting their accountability efforts. 

Further Reading

• House Foreign Affairs Committee Charman Mike McCaul (R-Tex.) Demands Answers From USAID on Alarming Failure to Address $110K Grant to Terrorist-Linked Nonprofit (Jan. 27, 2023).
• Amid standoff in Beirut blast probe, US national released, The Washington Post (Jan. 26, 2023).
• Amid Historic Crisis, Has a New Hope Emerged in Lebanon?, US Institute for Peace (Jun. 23, 2022).

Go Deeper

• Hezbollah: The Global Footprint of Lebanon's Party of God (Amazon).
• Beirut Rules: The Murder of a CIA Station Chief and Hezbollah's War Against America (Amazon).

A retired Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent, Mr. Pete Lapp served over two decades in the FBI and is highly experienced in counterintelligence, espionage, economic espionage, and trade secret theft. In this podcast, GLA's Jason Poblete talks with Mr. Lapp about one of his more high-profile cases,  the espionage investigation of Ana Belen Montes, who was arrested ten days after 9/11/2001. 

Montes was sentenced to 25 years for spying for the Cuban Intelligence Service while she worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency. On January 6, 2023, Montes was in the headlines again because she had been released and had reportedly returned to Puerto Rico to live with her sister.  Mr. Lapp has worked on many other national security cases. 

In October 2021, Pete founded PJ Lapp Consulting, LLC, where he now focuses his vast knowledge and experience in counterintelligence and insider risk (IR); He is a widely recognized expert and thought leader in the area of IR. You can learn more about his practice by visiting his website. 

Further Reading

• Pre-Order Pete's book, "Queen of Cuba: An FBI Agent's Insider Account of the Spy Who Evaded Detection for 17 Years" (Oct. 2023).
• "Just 10 days after the attacks of 9/11, the FBI arrested a 44-year-old woman named Ana Belen Montes," (FBI).
• Review of the Actions Taken to Deter, Detect and Investigate the Espionage Activities of Ana Belen Montes (U) Office of the Inspector General, Department of Defense (Jun. 16, 2005).

The Biden administration and Congress have discussed accountability efforts in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. But is the international system ready to hold all parties accountable, or will the process set back the course of international justice efforts?

In this episode, Jason Poblete talks with Michela Wrong, an award-winning British journalist and author who has had a rich career that has taken her from the fashion runways of Paris and later as a foreign correspondent in Africa for Reuters, the BBC, and the Financial Times. She was awarded the 2010 James Cameron prize for journalism “that combined moral vision and professional integrity.”

As she details on her website, her fifth book, “Do Not Disturb,” published in 2021, is a damning portrait of the Rwandan Patriotic Front, from its days as a united band of rebel fighters to today’s era, in which killer squads are dispatched across the world to silence exiled former insiders. The book has prompted a vitriolic backlash on Rwanda’s government-controlled social media, and President Paul Kagame has denounced the author on national television as a foreign agent.

Jason and Michela talk about several aspects of international justice. They also discuss the case of eight Rwandan men tried by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda; 4 were acquitted, while the other 4 served their sentences. They are now in legal limbo as they seek to be reunited with loved ones.  In addition, they also talk about unfinished accountability efforts related to the Rwandan genocide. 

Be sure to check out her latest book on the Rwanda genocide, link below, Do Not Disturb: The Story of a Political Murder and an African Regime Gone Bad." “A withering assault on the murderous Rwandan regime of Paul Kagame, and a melancholy love song to the lost dreams of the nations of Africa’s Great Lakes. Michela Wrong proves once again that she is an intrepid and highly professional researcher of the subject she knows best. It’s a major accomplishment, very driven, very impassioned.” ―JOHN LE CARRÉ, best-selling author of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Further Reading

• "Where the international justice system fails; As war crimes investigators gather evidence in Ukraine, Michela Wrong looks at how the uncertain fate of eight Rwandan men reveals failures in the international justice system," Prospect (Dec. 8. 2022).
• "Do Not Disturb: The Story of a Political Murder and an African Regime Gone Bad," Michela Wrong (March 30, 2021).
• "I Didn't Do It for You: How the World Betrayed a Small African Nation," Michela Wrong (June 6, 2006). 

Virginia mom and liberty warrior Xi Van Fleet grew up in Mao Zedong's Communist China. Raised during the Cultural Revolution, after high school, Xi, along with all the urban youths, was forced to work in the fields for three years to be re-educated by the peasants. She was able to go to college only after Mao’s death. In 1986 she came to America as a student to pursue her graduate studies. For the past 30 years, she has worked in the field of Information Management and stayed out of politics or any civic activity; however, starting in 2020, during the height of the pandemic, she decided she had to speak up. Compelled by her personal experience during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and the realization that what she has experienced is taking place here in America, she has committed herself to warn the American people and help them see what is happening now in America. 

Further Reading

• Xi Van Fleet, Education Freedom Ambassador, profile International Women's Forum.

In this podcast, GLA's Jason Poblete speaks with former Ambassador Martin Palouš.  Martin is currently a Senior Fellow at Florida International University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and Director of the Václav Havel Program for Human Rights and Diplomacy. Palouš was part of the movement that helped end the Soviet occupation of Eastern Europe during the Cold War.  The defense of fundamental individual and human rights has been at the core of his playbook ever since.  Born in Prague on October 14, 1950, Palouš studied Natural Science, Philosophy, and International Law, and he has engaged in rich academic praxis for more than 25 years. 

He was one of the first signatories of Charter 77 in defense of human rights and served as spokesman for the dissident human rights group.  Charter 77 was an informal civic initiative in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic from 1976 to 1992, named after the document Charter 77 from January 1977. Founding members included a wide range of civil society leaders at the time, including Martin and the future President of the Czech Republic, Václav Havel. Their work and that of other civil society leaders supported by the U.S. laid a foundation for President Ronald Reagan's push to end the Cold War. 

Palouš went on to have a rewarding career in international law and foreign affairs, including being elected to the Czechoslovakian Federal Assembly and a member of its Foreign Affairs Committee. Later he served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in the newly formed Czech Republic and was then asked by President Václav Havel to travel to Washington, D.C. as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to the United States from September 2002 to November 2005. Dr. Palouš was designated as Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the United Nations, where he served in New York from 2006 through 2010.

On November 19, 2022, Palouš said in an op-ed that ran in the Miami Herald that he disagreed with the view held by many in the Cuban diaspora that there "cannot be any dialogue with the current Cuban government as long as it pursues policies of systematic violations of human rights and imprisons and persecutes the members of Cuban democratic opposition." He also said, "I’ve always defended human rights and the bravery of those who oppose the Cuban regime, and I’ve had the mettle to act on my convictions as a dissident." What keeps these two communities apart? And why should the American taxpayer care about this?

Further Reading

• Publications and other resources for Martin Palouš
• "The Road to Freedom Grounded in the Rule of Law," a paper published by the FIU School of International and Public Affairs, Václav Havel Program for Human Rights and Diplomacy, prepared in collaboration with the Global Liberty Alliance (2022).
• La Patria es de Todos - The Nation Belongs to All of Us (1997).
• Jason Poblete and Jamie Suchlicki, “When Should the U.S. Change Policy Toward Cuba,” Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies, University of Miami, Cuba Brief, August 13, 2007

At times, we are called to do the most extraordinary things at the most challenging moments in life. That is the story of one American family in New Hampshire, the Fakhoury family. In August 2020, the Fakhoury family said goodbye to their beloved, Amer, who died as a result of injuries that he sustained while in the custody of Lebanon's corrupt security services or Lebanon's equivalent of our CIA and FBI wrapped up in one.

During the course of the last two years, the family has set out to find out what happened to Amer, and start their justice journey to ensure that this never happens again to Americans or US nationals who travel abroad to Lebanon or to other nations. The Fakhoury family started a foundation, filed a lawsuit in the District Court of the District of Columbia, and has engaged in other advocacy efforts including with Congress.

Last week the Global Liberty Alliance co-signed an open letter with the Fakhoury Foundation urging U.S. officials to fully enforce the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act in the matter of Amer Fakhoury. 

Further Reading

• The Fakhoury Foundation
• Link to the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act 
• GLA statement; GLA co-signed a letter with the Fakhoury Foundation (Nov. 10, 2022)
• US Treasury, Guidance on Hostages and Wrongfully Detained U.S. Nationals Sanctions 

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If you want to help defend the fundamental rights of Americans, free enterprise, and the rule of law, consider donating to the Global Liberty Alliance. GLA is also accepting Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. Follow this link to learn more! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. 

A nation of about seven million people, Paraguay is slightly smaller than California and an important U.S. ally in South America for trade and national security issues, including terrorism, transnational crime, and related matters.

Since 2019 American taxpayers have sent close to $85 million in foreign assistance to Paraguay. It may seem like a nominal amount, at least when compared to the total U.S. federal budget. And perhaps to folks in Washington, DC, it may seem like nothing when it comes to our money, but these foreign aid programs add up in tough economic times.

Some of that money is invested in worthwhile programs in the US national interest, but some are not. Who is minding the store and doing oversight? It is supposed to be the Congress, yet as we learn on this podcast with a leading lawyer and civil society leader in Paraguay, Valeria Insfran, some of our tax dollars are being used in ways that she thinks to undermine the rule of law, Paraguayan sovereignty, and US interests too.

Valeria has been on the front lines of a fundamental rights battle involving children and families in her country. Jason and Valeria touch on a wide range of issues, including the Sao Paolo Forum, the Inter-American Dialogue, the Princeton Pact (see link below), and more recent events, including sanctioning by the Biden administration of a former Paraguay President and his family (calling into question again, the politicization of U.S. sanctions programs in Latin America – Guatemala was the other).

At the request of listeners, this particular podcast was recorded in Spanish as part of a series to reach liberty warriors in the Americas. We will record an English version of this podcast, hopefully soon. There was a lot to unpack in this program, and we have asked Valeria to return, and she has agreed.

Further Reading

• US foreign assistance to Paraguay (link)
• Paraguay country information (State Department)
• Red Ciudadana por la Niñez y la Adolescencia (foundation link)
• "El pacto de Princeton, una alianza para la miseria y el sometimiento," Valeria Insfran, El Instituto de Investigación Social Solidaridad
• GLA Podcast with Guatemala Attorney General
• GLA Podcast with the President of Guatemala  
• Designation of Former Paraguayan President Horacio Manuel Cartes Jara for Involvement in Significant Corruption, State Department (Jul. 22, 2022)

Rebecca Schönenbach is an economist who works as an independent consultant in the field of counter-terrorism. 

As a specialist in Sharia, Islamic extremism, and counter-terrorism financing, she gave lectures at universities in Istanbul, Sarajevo, and Budapest, among others, and advises authorities, NGOs, and companies. Schönenbach also writes papers on the topics of Islamism, Islamic finance, and the connection between radicalization and misogyny. 

Schönenbach is the chairwoman of two non-profit associations: Veto! For the rule of law e. V. www.veto-rechtsstaat.de and Women for Freedom e. V.  www.frauenfuerfreiheit.de and is a columnist for the German Sunday newspaper Welt am Sonntag. Read her bio on LinkedIn.

In addition to the recent uprising in Iran, Jason and Rebecca discuss how the Iranian regime's long-term game plan of religious extremism impacts in the greater Middle East, Europe, and Latin America.  With the support of autocratic states such as China and Russia, Iran seeks to destabilize democracies including the United States and Europe in order to create a new global order.

The Global Liberty Alliance has been advocating to secure the release of Mr. Jamshid "Jimmy" Sharmahd, a human rights activist and journalist from California held hostage in Iran for nearly two years. In this podcast, GLA President Jason Poblete talks with his daughter Gazelle Sharmahd, a registered nurse in California, about the latest developments in Mr. Sharmahd's case. 

Last week Gazelle told The Jerusalem Post and other international news outlets that the Iranian regime's lawyer said a "death sentence is certain" in her dad's case. The upcoming session before the regime's kangaroo court system, the Revolutionary Court, makes it the sixth hearing of Jimmy's "sham trial." The death sentence will be announced soon and could be carried out immediately. There is no rule of law in Iran. Iran tried to assassinate Jimmy in California in 2009 in a plot that the FBI foiled. 

The Biden administration recently announced an international emergency concerning Iran and hostage-taking; however, no other information was released about the status of efforts to bring US nationals home from Iran. The Biden administration is also seeking to reverse the Trump administration's withdrawal from the Iran deal, a deal that condoned hostage-taking. The GLA and other NGOs, including hostage advocacy groups and former hostages, have recommended that all US nationals be freed before sitting down for any talks with Iran. 

Unfortunately US, German, and other stakeholders continue to negotiate with the state sponsors of terrorism in Iran, and there has been no progress on hostages. GLA believes the Iranian regime targeted Mr. Sharmahd in retribution for US policy against Iran. Under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, the US must help secure the release of Jimmy and other US nationals held hostage in Iran.

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If you want to do more to support efforts to defend the fundamental rights of Americans, free enterprise, and the rule of law, consider donating to the Global Liberty Alliance. GLA is also accepting Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. Follow this link to learn more. 

Further Reading

• August 2021 Podcast with Gazelle Sharmahd
• "California man faces execution in Iran for being a journalist," Fox News (July 19, 2022).
• For more details on Jimmy's case, visit the Global Liberty Alliance Jimmy Sharmahd page.
• 'Death sentence certain,' for German-Iranian journalist," Jerusalem Post (July 23, 2022).
• "Iran regime hostage survivor urges ‘do not travel’ to Iran," Jerusalem Post (July 11, 2022).

In March, we spoke with Ms. Katherine Swidan, mother of Mr. Mark Swidan, an American unlawfully imprisoned in Communist China for nearly ten years. A lot has happened in Mark's matter since Global Liberty Alliance President Jason Poblete spoke with Ms. Swidan. Katherine lives in Luling, Texas, a town of about 6,000 people along the San Marcos River. Katherine talks about the latest in her son's case and how recent policy updates may or may not impact efforts to bring Mark home. Jason also talks about recent developments related to the Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act of 2020 and the Executive Order released this week.

Further Reading

• GLA Letter to the City of Riverside, California, to sever its Sister City relationships with China (April 28, 2002)
• Text of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act of 2020 
• March Podcast with Katherine Swidan (Mar. 29, 2022)

During this podcast, GLA President Jason Poblete speaks with Jeff King, President of International Christian Concern (ICC). Jeff grew up in an atheist and agnostic home in Washington, D.C. At age 23, after reading the Bible on his own for 10 years, he came to Christ through the faithful witness of believers he met as he walked from one bar to the next. Jeff refers to himself as a radical pagan who became a radical for Christ. Many years and experiences later, Jeff has turned his many talents and gifts to defend Christians the world over. 

Further Reading

• Learn more about the International Christian Concern at persecution.org.
• U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Hearing, Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution (Feb. 10, 2021).
• Office of International Religious Freedom, U.S. Department of State.
• USCIRF Factsheet on the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).

Guatemala’s President Alejandro Eduardo Giammattei skipped the Summit of the Americas this week, and we wanted to know why. The conversation did not disappoint. Jason and President Giammattei talked about transnational crime, human trafficking, and fending off foreign meddlers such as Communist China. Despite these regional challenges, President Giammattei's bigger problem these days, or nuisance, seems to be our own country and an army of NGOs, many funded by US taxpayers and Europeans, hell-bent on making trouble for the President and his allies in Guatemala. Why?

For starters, President Giammattei is staunchly pro-life and a law-and-order leader. He defends Guatemala's sovereignty fiercely and is not afraid to poke Uncle Sam if necessary. Yet it's clear President Giammattei wants to be a partner, not an adversary, and he continues to work with the US despite the unfounded political attacks by certain Biden administration officials. 

In March, in another exclusive GLA podcast, Jason spoke with Guatemala Attorney General Porras about alleged corruption allegations against her by the US government that led to her being sanctioned. If someone was trying to destroy her re-appointment chances, the joke is on them. She was re-appointed by the President. President Giammattei has a clear vision of where he wants to take his nation and, perhaps, become a thoughtful and focused voice for the region. The US and Guatemala need to work closely, not at odds, and it appears certain Biden administration officials are allowing ideological disagreements to get in the way of good policy for America and the Americas.

On this podcast, GLA President and Counsel Jason Poblete continue to unmask the many issues stewing in this important Central American nation. President Giammattei stressed the importance of working with American partners, building markets, defending property rights, and the right to life, combating transnational crime, pushing back on China meddling in the Americas, and even reforming the inter-American system (he's making news on this last point, be sure to listen!). 

Further Reading

• US Relations With Guatemala, Bilateral Relations Fact Sheet, US Department of State
• President Alejandro Giammattei, Presidency of Guatemala website (foreign government website).

American citizen Mark Swidan has been unlawfully imprisoned in Communist China for close to ten years.  What started out as a business trip in late 2012, turned into a nightmare for the Swidan family when he was unlawfully detained by police on November 12, 2012. On this podcast, GLA President Jason Poblete speaks with Mr. Swidan's mom, Mr. Katherine Swidan.

Without probable cause, the Chinese police stormed Mark's hotel room in Dongguan Municipality, Guangdong Province. The police claimed that they had found drugs on his driver and translator.  All were taken into custody.  No drugs were found on Mr. Swidan or in his room, but the driver and translator blamed Mark.  The Chinese police also took him into custody on suspicion of trafficking and manufacturing methamphetamine.  You can learn more about the case at the California-based Dui Hua foundation website. 

Sentenced to death by the Chinese kangaroo court system, on February 5, 2020, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) has concluded that Mr. Swidan has been arbitrarily detained by the Chinese authorities in violation of international law. WGAD has urged his immediate release with compensation and other reparations.  Inexplicably, the U.S. government has failed to raise the profile of this case with Chinese officials. There was a unique opportunity to do so before the Beijing Olympics, yet nothing happened.  Mark is not the only American unlawfully detained in the Chinese gulag prison system. 

Further Reading

• Mark Swidan's Go Fund Me page
• Texas businessman in slave labor in China's 'black box' jail system for past nine years, The Washington Examiner (Feb. 17, 2022).

Please consider donating and supporting matters such as these. The Global Liberty Alliance (GLA) is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are fully deductible as charitable contributions for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Your monetary gift is an investment in the cause of liberty. With your investment, you can help support GLA’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the importance of fundamental individual rights, free markets, and the rule of law. You can also support human rights advocates defend victims and advance the cause of justice.  LEARN MORE.

Last week in an exclusive interview with Guatemala Attorney General María Consuelo Porras, Jason Poblete and the Attorney General discussed why she thought the United States had imposed sanctions earlier this on her and other Guatemalans.  You can listen to that podcast by following this link.  The first podcast was recorded in Spanish with Attorney General Porras, so we decided to record another podcast with colleagues in Guatemala who are on the frontlines of freedom battles.  On this podcast, we dig deeper and speak with two leading conservative thought leaders in Guatemala, Dr. José Luis González Dubón, a constitutional lawyer and practitioner, and former Vice Presidential candidate and business, Ms. Betty Marroquin.  Editor at Large Steve Hecht is a businessman, writer, and film producer, born and raised in New York.

Further Reading

• "Derecho, justicia y libertad," a talk by Dr. José Luis González Dubón at the Universidad Francisco Marroquín (Jan. 26, 2010). 
• Impunity Observer
• (discussed in the podcast) "International Anti-Impunity Missions in Guatemala and Honduras: What Lessons for El Salvador?," Open Society Foundation-sponsored paper (June 2019).
• (discussed in the podcast) UN Agenda 2030. 

On January 27, 2020,  US Attorney General William P. Barr met with Guatemala Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras Argueta.  That meeting was a follow-up dialogue to the May 2019 Third Ministerial of the Northern Triangle Attorneys General in El Salvador.  Dr. Porras has been a long-time rule of law defender who has worked closely with various US agencies including the DEA, the Justice Department, and the State Department. How is it that one year and seven months later, Secretary of State Tony Blinken imposes sanctions on Attorney General Porras for allegedly "obstructed investigations into acts of corruption by interfering with criminal investigations"? It makes no sense.  We start to unpack this legal issue and a follow-up show is coming in English, next week, to further assess the potentially unlawful use of U.S. economic sanctions.

Further Reading

• Readout of U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr’s Meeting with Guatemala Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras Argueta, US Department of Justice (Jan. 27, 2020).
• Guatemalan Attorney General Visits Eastern District of Texas, U.S. Department of Justice (Feb. 11, 2020).
• The United States Announces Actions Against Seven Central American Officials for Undermining Democracy and Obstructing Investigations into Acts of Corruption (Sep. 20, 2021).
• Blinken Blindsides an Ally in Guatemala, The Wall Street Journal (Sep. 26, 2021).

In this episode, Jason speaks with the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) president and gun rights advocate Phillip Van Cleave.  A former law enforcement officer from Texas, Phillip has been defending gun owner rights in Virginia since the 1990s. The Virginia Citizens Defense League is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental human right of all Virginians to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 13 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Further Reading

• Video of the Virginia House of Delegates Member (1/17/2022).
• Virginia self-defense cases. 
• Open Carry is legal in Virginia in most places with or without a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP). Concealed Carry requires, with a few exceptions, a CHP. However, some restrictions may apply. Virginia carry information. 
• A primer on gun safety (via HandGunLaws.us).

A new generation of center-right conservatism is taking root worldwide, including Spain. On this podcast, Jason talks with an American lawyer with strong Spanish roots, Ms. Marlene Vallés. A practicing attorney Marlene is also active in the international conservative movement and has helped colleagues in Spain raise awareness in the United States about liberty battles underway in her ancestral homeland. This is the first in a series of podcasts that will help highlight the importance of the defense of fundamental rights in other nations and how they impact us right here in the United States and the Americas. 

Further Reading 

As we wind down 2021, Jason talks with Venezuelan Human Rights Activist Alessa Polga. Alessa is Venezuelan by birth but currently camped out in Ontario, Canada, making Venezuela's liberty her mission. Venezuela is one of the world's leading oil producers; however, Alessa told the Toronto Star in 2017, "our natural disaster is our government." In addition to discussing the plight of the Venezuelan people, Jason and Alessa take a stab at unpacking the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, human rights, and why what the United States calls the opposition is just opposition in name only.

In this podcast, GLA President Jason Poblete talks with a fellow liberty warrior, Stephen Hecht, in Guatemala. An American, Stephen and his organization Impunity Observer have been long-time freedom champions in Central America who help empower Guatemalans to build a more robust and freer nation where individuals, not governments, are change agents in civil society. This is especially true when building a robust civil society where property rights and rule of law are essential. 

Jason and Stephen discuss the importance of working together with Guatemalans to combat corruption, illegal immigration, and other issues that, sooner or later, will impact us right here in the United States. This podcast is part of a series that takes a closer look at Central America, particularly Guatemala, and how Guatemalan civil society leaders such as lawyers and business leaders are struggling to reign in foreign meddling from dark forces that are undermining Guatemalan sovereignty and rule of law.

In an exclusive interview with GLA, Stephen talks with us about how Guatemala’s Attorney General Consuelo Porras has had wage two battles in her country: one against bad actors in Guatemala and the other fending off attacks by certain officials at the Department of State. Attorney General Porras has been praised by officials at the US Drug Enforcement Agency and the Department of Justice as a vital partner of the US in cracking down on transnational crime. So why have certain State Department targeted her in the media?

GLA would like to speak with individuals and organizations on the other side of this debate and the invitation is open. Based on what we have researched the past year, there is enough here for the US Congress to take a closer look. Millions of American taxpayer monies are sent to Guatemala every year. The people of Guatemala have elected officials and capable jurists who know what needs to be done to keep building their nation. So why are US officials at different agencies seemingly working at odds? This is untenable. We must do better. What happens in Guatemala, sooner or later, impacts us right here in the states.

Further Reading

• “Guatemalan Attorney General: US State Department Impedes Rule of Law,” Impunity Observer’s exclusive interview with Guatemala’s Attorney General Consuelo Porras (Oct. 26, 2021).
• Consuelo Porras dice que sanciones que recibió no son del Gobierno de EE. UU. sino del Departamento de Estado, y esto le responde Washington, Presna Libre (Oct. 28, 2021).
• "How the U.S. Finances Revolution," Wall Street Journal (Oct. 31, 2021)
• Guatemala’s Justice System Is at a Breaking Point, Americas Quarterly (Apr. 20, 2021).
• “Western Hemisphere, Beyond “Drugs and Thugs,” GLA Podcast with Dr. J Michael Waller (Jun. 15, 2021).
• Why Not to Work with Corrupt People to Fight Corruption in Guatemala, with former Vice Presidential candidate and businesswoman Betty Marroquín (Mar. 23, 2021).

Mr. Dimis Christophy is a Loudon County, Virginia parent who, along with hundreds of other families in the region, are locked in what appears to have become a battle of wills with the Loudon County school board. On this podcast, Jason speaks with Dimis to learn why Loudon County has ignited a national movement from parents across the political spectrum to rein in out-of-control school boards and local governments.  

Dimis reminds us that elected officials work for the people, not the other way around. Unfortunately, the Loudon County Virginia school board has yet to learn that less but with elections right around the corner, they soon will. Please support Dimis and their efforts; be sure to visit his website, www.realimmigrantcorner.com where two Iranian immigrants to the U.S. share their life experiences and success. 

Further Reading

• Loudoun County Superintendent Not Planning to Resign After More Details Emerge in Alleged Rape Coverup, The Virginia Star (Oct. 22, 2021).
• Loudoun County Dad Smeared As ‘Domestic Terrorist’ Says School Covered Up Daughter’s Rape By Boy In Girls’ Bathroom, The Federalist (Oct. 13, 2021).
• Virginia Urges Slavery Lessons for Kindergarteners, Washington Free Beacon (Jul. 19, 2020).

On November 9, 2005, President George W. Bush awarded Paul Rusesabagina the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom for saving the lives of thousands during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. A real-life hero of the acclaimed film Hotel Rwanda and the President and Founder of the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation, Paul served as the Hotel des Mille Collines manager in Kigali. He bravely risked his life to shelter Hutus and Tutsis, seeking refuge from the genocide that killed more than 800,000 people. But, in a bizarre twist of fate, last week, Mr. Rusesabagina was sentenced to 25 years by a Rwandan court that international law experts have repeatedly said was a sham legal proceeding orchestrated by Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, Mr. Rusesabagina's long-time adversary. On this podcast, Jason Poblete speaks with one of Paul's six children, Ms. Anaïse Kanimba, about her father's plight for freedom and justice in Rwanda.

Further Reading

• Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation
• Rights Groups Condemn Rwandan Court Conviction of Paul Rusesabagina, Voice of America (Sep. 22, 2021).

Upon arrival at the Beirut airport, Lebanese officials kept Mr. Amer Fakhoury U.S. passport as part of a routine procedure he was told for former Lebanese nationals who had not been in the country for more than 20 years. Accompanied by his wife and two of his four daughters, Amer, a New Hampshire businessman who was returning to his ancestral homeland for a family vacation, perhaps thought nothing of it at the time. Little did he and his family know at the time what would transpire a few days later. 

On this podcast, two of his four daughters, Guila and Zoya, share this remarkable story about their father, a freedom-loving Catholic and soldier. He fought for a democratic Lebanon free of terrorists, such as Hezbollah. Amer's story started decades before, in Southern Lebanon, where Amer defended his homeland from terrorists who have since taken over his ancestral homeland. Forced to leave and start his life in America with his family, they lived the American dream that became a nightmare on September 12, 2019.

Determined to hold the perpetrators to account and help other American families going through similar struggles, the Amer Fakhoury Foundation provides advocacy, emotional, and financial support to the victims and their families. In addition, the Foundation works to ensure anti-torture laws are created and implemented in countries that enforce torture on helpless victims.

Further Reading

• Amer Fakhoury Foundation
• Senator Jeanne Shaheen's (D-New Hampshire) press release announcing the release of Amer Fakhoury from captivity in Lebanon (March 19, 2020).
• Amer Fakhoury Foundation's "September 12 - A Day of Remembrance," via YouTube. (September 11, 2021).

On this podcast lawyer and GLA President Jason Poblete speaks with Dr. Gregory H. Stanton is the founding president and chairman of Genocide Watch.From 2010 to 2019, he was a research professor in genocide studies and prevention at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, Arlington, Virginia, USA. From 2003 to 2009, he was the James Farmer Professor in Human Rights at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Dr. Stanton founded Genocide Watch in 1999. He was the founder (1981) and director of the Cambodian Genocide Project and is currently the founder (1999) and chair of the Alliance Against Genocide, the world’s first anti-genocide coalition. 

From 2007-2009, he was the president of the International Association of Genocide Scholars. Genocide Watch exists to predict, prevent, stop, and punish genocide and other forms of mass murder. In addition, genocide Watch seeks to raise awareness and influence public policy concerning potential and actual genocide. Genocide Watch uses predictive models such as Dr. Gregory Stanton’s “The Ten Stages of Genocide” to analyze high-risk situations for education, policy analysis, and advocacy.

Further Reading

• Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (United Nations).
• The Ten Stages of Genocide
• Customary International Humanitarian Database (Int'l Committee of the Red Cross).

The first publicly verifiable Bitcoin transaction involving someone from civil society in Cuba was registered more than five years ago. The person who helped make this possible is a Cuban-American Bitcoiner and liberty maximalist, Fernando Villar. Fernando is the founder of BitcoinCuba. BitcoinCuba's mission is to educate Cuban civil society on using Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. This is the first of what we hope will be several podcasts on Bitcoin and its potential to help unleash the forces of liberty in some of the politically darkest corners of our planet including 90 miles away in socialist Cuba. 

PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING GLA PROGRAMS IN PLACES SUCH AS CUBA WITH CRYPTO DONATIONS via The Giving Block: https://thegivingblock.com/donate/global-liberty-alliance/ 

Further Reading

• Start Here -->  Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System. 
• Government of Cuba Says It Will Recognize, Regulate Cryptocurrencies, Decrypt (Aug. 27, 2021).
• The U.S. settles with BitPay for apparent sanctions breaches, Reuters (Feb. 19, 2021).
• BitcoinCuba Introduces Bitcoin to Cuba, NewsBTC (July 2015).
• Cuba's Historic Ascendance to the Bitcoin World, XB Teller (July 15, 2015).
• US Treasury Department, Office of Foreign Assets Control - Guidance on Cuba

In February, we spoke with Ms. Gazelle Sharmahd, the daughter of Mr. Jamshid Sharmahd. As his friends and family call him, Jimmy is a U.S. Legal Permanent resident based with his family in California. A year ago this month, Jimmy was on his way back home to the United States from a business trip when he was kidnapped in the United Arab Emirates and taken hostage by the Iranian regime. A registered nurse working on the COVID pandemic's frontlines, Gazelle is one of her father's strongest advocates for his release. Gazelle updates listeners about her dad's situation on this show and urges stakeholders to help secure Jimmy's release from Iranian captivity. We also speak with his son, Shayan Sharmahdsaid, who works daily to bring his dad home. 

Further Reading

• "German Appeasement Of Khamenei Endangers Iranians And The World," Iran International (Aug. 11, 2021).
• ‘Don’t be kept silent, we have to speak up’: Son of kidnapped dissident calls for Iran to free his father, UK Independent (Jul. 16, 2021).
• "America needs a 21st-century hostage policy - opinion," The Jerusalem Post (Jul. 11, 2021).
• "HRW demands Iran release California resident from prison," The Jerusalem Post (Jul. 4, 2021).

Last week the center-right President of Guatemala had to contend with what was supposed to have been massive streets protests from opponents on the left. Well, it fizzled, and nothing of any political consequence materialized on the streets of Guatemala. In this podcast, we talk again with businesswoman and fellow liberty warrior Betty Marroquin about this and other issues in the headlines in Guatemala and the Norther Triangle. These topics are important. Matters such as border security, illegal immigration, or human trafficking start, at times, in this region of the Western Hemisphere, so it impacts us here in the United States. It's important to listen to people who actually live in this part of the world. Jason and Betty also discuss rule of law and how to free markets, not government programs or regulations, are some of the best ways to improve economic opportunity and the quality of life for all.