The Mysteries of Latin America Podcast

The Mataviejitas: The Shocking True Story of Mexico’s Infamous Serial Killer

For years, elderly women in Mexico City were found dead in their homes—strangled, with no signs of forced entry. Fear gripped the city as whispers of a serial killer spread. But the truth was more shocking than anyone imagined.
The police dismissed key witness descriptions, wasted years chasing the wrong suspects, and failed to see what was right in front of them. When the killer was finally caught, the entire country was stunned.
In this gripping episode of The Mysteries of Latin America, I uncover the disturbing case of Juana Barraza, a former lucha libre wrestler turned serial killer, who preyed on society’s most vulnerable. From her traumatizing past to her calculated deception, and the botched investigation that let her kill for years, this is one of the most chilling true crime cases in Latin American history.
Could lives have been saved if the authorities had listened to witnesses? Was Barraza driven by revenge, or was she something far more terrifying?
Listen now and decide for yourself.
🔊 Subscribe for more true crime, mysteries, and unsolved stories from Latin America.
#TrueCrime #Mexico #SerialKiller #Mataviejitas #UnsolvedMysteries #LatinAmerica #CrimePodcast #History

FRANCISCO ORELLANA-CONQUISTADOR AND ACCIDENTALLY FOUND THE AMAZON RIVER AND WOMEN WARRIORS

This is the story of a man who got lost in the Amazon, before it was called the Amazon…
🔥 who found a river the size of an ocean…🔥 Claimed he saw warrior women straight out of Greek mythology…🔥 And somehow survived the deadliest jungle on Earth.
But was any of it real? Or was Francisco de Orellana just another Spanish conquistador willing to lie for gold and glory?
Stay with me—because what really happened on this journey might be hard to believe.
Welcome to The Mysteries of Latin America! I’m Andrew, and I tell the stories of myths, legends, history, and unsolved mysteries from the Northern border of Mexico to the Southern tip of Argentina and all across the Caribbean. From lost cities to ancient civilizations, we explore the stories that many of us didn’t learn in our history classes—until now.

5 MEXICAN GHOST TOWNS THAT SHOULDN'T EXIST

Mexico has ghost towns, but not just any ghost towns.
 
One town sank beneath a lake, another was swallowed by fire and rock, one was cut off from the world by a bridge that now leads nowhere, and another? Its goes away,,,and keeps coming back.  
 
But the strangest of them all? It was one company’s way of saying, no más.
If you love stories like this, hit like, subscribe, and turn on notifications. Let’s dive in!)
 
Welcome to The Mysteries of Latin America! My name is Andrew, and I tell the stories of myths, legends, history, and mysteries everywhere from Northern Mexico to Southern Argentina and all across the Caribbean.
 
And before we get into these wild ghost town stories, I have to give a huge shoutout and thank you to my wife, Gaby—who not only suggested this topic but put all the information right in front of me. Honestly, everyone needs a little Gaby in their lives.
 
Now, let’s get started.

La Luz Mala: The Mysterious EVIL LIGHT of Argentina

Welcome to The Mysteries of Latin America! I’m Andrew, and here, we explore the stories that define the different cultures from this part of the world. From unexplained phenomena to ancient stories, these tales connect us to our roots. Today, we’ll unravel the legend of La Luz Mala, The Evil Light, and I’d like to thank Adis from Miami, who sent me this story, along others from a collection of stories she had that might just show up on future episodes. If you have a story you’d like to share of a myth, legend, element of history or unsolved mystery, reach out in the comments or contact me at andy@andycancun.com.
Now Let’s go to Argentina and La Luz Mala, The Evil Light.

What's Wrong With Calling Latin America, Latin America?

Why I Call It "The Mysteries of Latin America" (And Why That Might Be a Problem)
Why is it called ‘Latin America’? I mean, we don’t speak Latin, and critics say the name reduces our vibrant countries to a generic, colonialized label. So why do I use it for my podcast and YouTube channel? Are the critics right? Let’s unpack this together.

WHAT REALLY KILLED THE DINOSAURS: THE MYSTERY OF CHICXULUB

66 million years ago, something hit Earth so hard it ended 75% of all life. Dinosaurs? Gone. Oceans? Boiling. The sky? A choking cloud of ash. And the impact site? It’s right here, beneath the Yucatán Peninsula. What caused it? How did it reshape the planet—and our future?
 Welcome to The Mysteries of Latin America!
I’m Andrew, and today I’ll tell the story of the Chicxulub Crater—the place many believe is ground zero for the event that wiped out the dinosaurs and gave mammals, including us, a shot at survival.
This isn’t just a story about destruction; it’s also story about rebirth—and it’s still changing what we know about Earth’s history. 
 
If you’re curious about the myths, legends, history, and unsolved mysteries of Latin America, this is your place. Subscribe and share to join the journey as we uncover these that shape the heart of the region—and our world.  And if you stay to the end, I’ll have a little surprise for you about Chikxulub!
 
Now… let’s tell the story of a cosmic collision that rewrote the rules of life on Earth.

THE LEGEND OF THE MONKEY MAN OF NICARAGUA

In 1974, the quiet town of Matagalpa in north-central Nicaragua became gripped by a tale that blurred the line between folklore and reality. It started on a humid evening as Don Julián Estrada, a seasoned farmer known for his no-nonsense attitude, made his way home from his fields, when he encountered a creature many believed to be a myth…
 
Friend, welcome to The Mysteries of Latin America, where I explore the myths, legends, history and unsolved mysteries everywhere from the Northern border of Mexico to the southern tip of Argentina and all across the Caribbean Islands.
My name is Andrew, and I want to help reconnect people with Latin American history, folklore and culture while introducing it to others who might not know these stories, you know, so everyone knows a little more of what makes up our cultural DNA….
Now let's take a little trip down to Central America, and if you haven't already make sure to suscribe, follow and share the 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!