The Mysteries of Latin America Podcast

Ancient Maya Treasure Found by Accident: The Uncovering of Valeriana

Ancient Maya Treasure Found by Accident: The Uncovering of Valeriana
Join host Andrew Colón as he dives into the incredible story of Valeriana, an ancient Maya city discovered by accident in the dense jungles of Campeche, Mexico. This city, hidden for centuries and rivaling the legendary Calakmul, reveals over 6,000 structures that may have housed up to 50,000 people.
What makes this discovery even more fascinating? It was made not by excavation but through cutting-edge LIDAR technology, which mapped the city's expanse without disturbing a single leaf. Follow along as we explore how a PhD student at Tulane University stumbled upon this forgotten city during a routine data search, turning an environmental survey into one of the greatest Maya findings in recent years.
Discover why Valeriana matters for understanding the true scale and interconnectedness of Maya civilization, and learn about the technology reshaping archaeology and conservation efforts in Mexico.
This episode of The Mysteries of Latin America will captivate history buffs, archaeology enthusiasts, and anyone with a passion for untold stories. Listen now to uncover the ancient world through modern eyes and celebrate the enduring legacy of the Maya.
Tune in and learn about the power of discovery, technology, and cultural heritage that connects us all.

The Miracle of the Raining Fish of Honduras

Join Andrew Colón as he uncovers the bizarre phenomenon of Yoro, Honduras, where fish literally rain from the sky every year, leaving scientists baffled and locals in awe. Dive into this mysterious event in The Mysteries of Latin America, and explore the fascinating blend of folklore, science, and miracles behind the legendary Rain of Fish.

5 TERRIFYING CREEPY CREATURES OF MEXICAN FOLKLORE

Beware the Shadows: 5 Terrifying Creatures from Mexican Folklore That Will Haunt You! 🌙🔥
Have you ever heard the spine-chilling cry of La Llorona? Or felt the eerie presence of El Nahual, a shapeshifter lurking in the shadows? 🌑 In this episode of Mysteries of Latin America, join me, Andrew, as we explore five of Mexico's most haunting creatures—from the ghostly Charro Negro to the mischievous Chaneque and the infamous El Coco. Each has its own legend, twisted through time, and is sure to leave you with goosebumps!
🔮 Discover the tales that keep generations awake at night:
La Llorona – The Weeping Woman, searching endlessly for her lost children...
El Nahual – The shape-shifter, able to transform into any creature, watching and waiting.
El Coco – The ultimate boogeyman, lurking in the dark corners of your room.
El Chaneque – A forest trickster with a devilish grin, leading the lost deeper into the wild.
El Charro Negro – A cursed cowboy, forever searching for someone willing to make a deal they’ll soon regret...
Whether you grew up hearing these stories from your abuela or are learning about them for the first time, these legends will pull you into Mexico's rich and mysterious folklore. ✨
Whether you grew up hearing these stories from your abuela or are learning about them for the first time, these legends will pull you into Mexico's rich and mysterious folklore. ✨
👻 LIKE if you love legends and mysteries, SHARE with friends who appreciate the dark and mysterious, and SUBSCRIBE for more tales from Latin America's haunted history!👀 Comment below if you have your own version of these legends, or if there are other creatures you want me to explore in a future episode.
🎙️ And if you’re ready for more spine-tingling tales, check out our other episodes on creatures like El Silbón and tales of haunted houses, or email me at andy@andycancun.com for direct links to more episodes!

SOLDADERAS: THE FEMALE SOLDIERS OF THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION

They fought, bled, and shaped the course of the Mexican Revolution, but their stories have often been left in the shadows. Thousands of women—Soldaderas—stood on the frontlines, rifles in hand, not just following men, but even leading them into battle. One woman even disguised herself as a man to fight and what happened when her secret was revealed was a twist I wasn’t expecting. These women weren’t just supporting the revolution—many would say they were the backbone of it. And today, we’re bringing their stories to light."
Welcome to *The Mysteries of Latin America Podcast! I’m your host, Andrew Colón, and today we’re diving into a story you might not have heard before. You see, when we think about the Mexican Revolution, names like Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata often come to mind. We picture men charging into battle for freedom and justice. But there’s a part of the revolution’s story that has been...overshadowed. And that’s the story I’m here to tell today.
 
Here on this podcast, we explore the untold stories, the hidden histories, and the legends that shape Latin America. For those of you who’ve been with me for a while, you know I do this to help reconnect with our cultural roots, to find those stories that shaped our past and still echo in our lives today. If you’re new here, bienvenido o… bienvenida! We’re about to take a journey into a part of history that hopefully will inform and entertain you, and maybe just surprise you.
 
Because today, we’re talking about the Soldaderas and Adelitas—the women who fought, bled, and died in the Mexican Revolution. These women weren’t just cooking or nurses; many also became soldiers, and often the difference between life and death for the men they fought alongside.
 

Yanga: The African Slave King Who Built Mexico’s First Free Town

Was There an African King Enslaved in Mexico?!"
 
"Imagine an African king, escaping slavery, leading a rebellion in Mexico, and not just surviving—but building a town that still stands today! What if I told you this story unfolded two years before the Pilgrims even landed at Plymouth Rock? Sounds incredible, right? Today, we’ll uncover the story of Gaspar Yanga—a man whose legacy defied the might of the Spanish Empire and still echoes through the streets of a small town in Veracruz."
 
"Friend, welcome to another episode of **Mysteries of Latin America**. I’m Andrew, and if you’re new here, what we do is dive deep into the myths, legends, history, and unsolved mysteries that span the vast and vibrant lands of Latin America—from the northern border of Mexico to the southern tip of Argentina, and across the Caribbean islands. Whether you’ve got roots in this region or are simply curious about the stories hidden beneath the surface, you’re in for a treat." 
 
_"And today’s episode is about the little-known story of Gaspar Yanga, a man whose defiance in the face of oppression laid the groundwork for Mexico’s first free town and became a symbol of resistance against Spanish colonial rule."_ 

MISSING: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE 43 STUDENTS OF AYOTZINAPA MEXICO?

 
Imagine waking up to a world where 43 young men have vanished, seemingly into thin air, leaving only unanswered questions and unbearable anguish for their loved ones.
 
This is not a story from some distant past or a legend this time, but a haunting reality that has gripped Mexico for a decade. This is the story of the disappearance of the 43 students from Ayotzinapa.
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Friends, thanks for joining me on *Mysteries of Latin America*, where I explore myths, legends, mysteries, and history from the northern border of Mexico to the southern tip of Argentina and across the Caribbean Islands. My name’s Andrew, and today, we delve into the unresolved enigma of the Ayotzinapa disappearance—a case that has become a symbol of Mexico's ongoing struggle with truth, corruption, violence, and justice.
 
September 26, 2014, began like many other days in the small town of Ayotzinapa, located about four hours from the tourist city of Acapulco, in Guerrero on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Students from the Escuela Normal Rural Raúl Isidro Burgos, also known as the Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers' College, were preparing for a trip to Mexico City. They intended to commemorate the Tlatelolco massacre of 1968, where the Mexican government brutally suppressed student protests, resulting in hundreds of deaths just days before the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. The students had no inkling that this trip would culminate in a tragic and ironic echo of that historical violence in the 21st century.
 
In this episode, I’ll present the official story from the government, explore alternative theories involving corruption, drug trafficking, political motives, a massive cover-up, and discuss how the election of a leftist president has influenced the ongoing investigation. I’ll also provide updates on the current status and prevailing theory of what really happened.
 
If you haven’t subscribed yet, I invite you to do so on your preferred platform to get episodes as soon as they’re released and access nearly 60 other episodes I’ve prepared for you. If you have comments or an idea for an episode, reach out to me at andy@andycancun.com—I’d be honored to read you and consider your suggestion.
 
Now, let’s get to the 43…
 

American Civil War Town Hidden in Brazil: "Americana's" Untold Story

A charming town was born from the ashes of America’s Civil War...in Brazil…and its name is Americana. And to this day, they celebrate their American and Confederate history…and in a really positive way.
 
What drove former Confederate soldiers to travel thousands of miles away to a new country, culture and way of life?  What legacies did they leave? What is Americana like today? We’ll  get into all  that and more shortly--- and I tell the story of a town called Americana.
Friends, Welcome to The Mysteries of Latin America! I’m Andrew, your guide through the myths, legends, history and mysteries all around us here in Latin America, from the northern border of Mexico to the southern tip of Argentina, and all across the Caribbean Islands.
I tell these stories so people like me, who have roots in a few different parts of Latin America, can know the stories of our people and our neighbors too, and also so people who don’t know a lot about the region can know a little more of what makes up our cultural DNA.
Now Let’s tell the story of Americana…
 
Here is a link to a previous podcast episode referenced in this episode...it's about the Nazi Cult Colony in Chile...very different, but also compelling!
 
https://acovoice.podbean.com/e/the-nazi-cult-colony-in-chile/
 

2 Secret Societies of Latin American Revolution: Los Guadalupes and the Logia Lautaro

It’s 1810, and Latin America is on the brink of revolution.
Behind the scenes, two secret societies—Los Guadalupes and Logia Lautaro—are orchestrating the fight for freedom and plotting huge upheavals that led to the formations of countries in what we know as North, Central and South America.
Welcome to an episode I’ve called "2 Secret Societies of Latin American Revolution," where we uncover the hidden roles and dramatic impacts of these clandestine groups.
Stay tuned as we dive into their stories of intrigue, danger, and the pursuit of liberty.

Naia: The Lost Girl Who Changed Our History Forever

In 2007, near Tulum, Mexico, divers exploring the depths of Hoyo Negro, a large underwater chamber within the Sac Actun cave system, stumbled upon an ancient secret.
They made the groundbreaking discovery of the skeleton of a young woman, now known as Naia.
The underwater chamber they found her in is called a “cenote,” and it has been submerged since the last Ice Age, preserving not only Naia's remains but also the bones of long-extinct extinct animals we only know from fossils.
Little did they know, this discovery would challenge everything we thought we knew about early human migration.
 
Welcome to the Mysteries of Latin America, where we dive into the myths, legends, history, and mysteries from Mexico's northern border to the southern tip of Argentina and across the Caribbean Islands.
On this program, I tell stories so that those of us with roots in the region know a little more of what we’re all about, and also so that those that don’t have those roots know more of what makes up our cultural DNA.
My name is Andrew Colón, and today, we uncover an incredible discovery that is reshaping our understanding of human history.
 
Let’s get started, friends…let’s go meet Naia.

Latin America's First Female Doctor-Trailblazing Eloísa Díaz

 
Welcome to another episode of the Mysteries of Latin America, where we tell stories of the myths, legends, history and mysteries of the territories between the Mexico's northern border to the southern tip of Argentina and all across the Caribbean Islands.
This week's story is the true story of a woman who revolutionized health care standards in Latin America, and she began that journey at only 15 years of age...
A 15-year-old girl defied all the odds In a male-dominated profession back in the late 1800’s.
Eloísa Díaz, from Santiago, Chile was the first woman in Latin America to pursue a medical degree at the university level.
Facing skepticism and resistance, she pushed through every barrier.
And In 1887, she graduated, seven decades before women could even vote in Chile
She didn’t just become a doctor; she revolutionized public health, pioneering vaccination campaigns against smallpox, diphtheria and typhoid fever...
Her influence spread across Latin America, transforming healthcare.
Her legacy lives on in today's healthcare standards.
Eloísa Díaz... not just a doctor, but a legend who redefined an entire continent.