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
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
(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.