Cold War #287 – The Fall of Macho Man Machado (Cuban Revolution #12)

In this episode of the Cold War podcast, Cam and Ray continue their wild ride through Cuban history, focusing on the rise and fall of Gerardo “Macho Man” Machado, the proto-strongman president who turned Cuba into a playground for rich tourists—and a pressure cooker for everyone else. From political repression and violent union crackdowns to communist organizing and student uprisings, this chapter sets the stage for Cuba’s eventual revolution. Along the way, we meet fascinating figures like Julio Antonio Mella (the OG Castro prototype), discuss the communist roots of Cuban resistance, and learn how America played both arsonist and firefighter in the region. Plus: cigars, lesbians, and martinis. You’re welcome.

You can listen to Cold War #287 – The Fall of Macho Man Machado (Cuban Revolution #12) online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Cold War #287 – The Fall of Macho Man Machado (Cuban Revolution #12) is an episode from Cam & Ray's Cold War Podcast by Cameron Reilly & Ray Harris.

This episode is 22:40 long.

This episode was published on Jun 13, 2025.

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