The Next Generation I Lived With a Dictator’s Right Hand Man: Here’s What I Learnt - Cillian Dunne | #60
Dec 2, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Cillian Dunne, an author and investigative researcher, shares his firsthand experiences living with Carlos Wittgreen, the right-hand man of Manuel Noriega. He reveals gripping tales of assassination attempts and the intertwining of the CIA with Noriega's regime. Cillian unpacks the Iran-Contra Affair, the drug trade's rise, and the U.S.'s role in bolstering dangerous leaders. His insights into loyalty and conviction from working with a dictator's inner circle bring a unique perspective on power dynamics and intelligence.
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Castro Sparked Regional Socialism
- Castro's 1959 revolution inspired a wave of Latin American socialism, provoking intensified U.S. intervention across the region.
- The Cold War in Central America became an ideological contest where each side sought local allies and assets.
Noriega: Groomed Triple-Agent
- Manuel Noriega was groomed as a U.S. asset from his military schooling and leveraged multiple foreign ties to maximize power.
- He practiced “feed the white bears”: give the CIA enough to stay useful while also dealing with Castro and others.
Bounties And Clandestine Plots
- Carlos described a million-dollar bounty motivating assassination attempts and a culture where men would kill for that sum.
- He compared tactics to CIA plots like poisoning clams, showing extreme clandestine lengths used regionally.
