598: The Quest for the Nicaragua Canal: A Historical Perspective

In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl interviews Jessica M. Lepler, Associate Professor of History at the University of New Hampshire, about her new book 'Canal Dreamers.' The conversation delves into the historical attempts to build a canal across Lake Nicaragua in the 1820s, the geopolitical interests of foreign investors, and the complexities of Central American history. Lepler shares insights from her extensive research, including the role of families in uncovering historical documents, the impact of the 1825 financial crisis, and the perspectives of indigenous nations like the Miskitu and Rama. The discussion also touches on the fascinating adaptability of sharks in Lake Nicaragua and the importance of integrating animal history into broader historical narratives. The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart:

You can listen to 598: The Quest for the Nicaragua Canal: A Historical Perspective online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

598: The Quest for the Nicaragua Canal: A Historical Perspective is an episode from Colombia Calling - Living and Working in Colombia by Richard McColl.

This episode is 01:06:11 long.

This episode was published on Jan 20, 2026.

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