Diego A.

Diego focuses on stories from North and South America, from colonial history and pirates to cartels and the modern underworld. He is especially drawn to places where crime, power, and myth collide.

The most recent posts by
Diego
A.

Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Inca and Its Enduring Mysteries

Ruins of Civilizations

Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Inca and Its Enduring Mysteries

Explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Inca, nestled high in the Andes of Peru. Learn about the Inca Empire, the rediscovery of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham, and the theories behind its purpose and abandonment.

Robinson Crusoe Island: The True Story Behind the Legend

Discover the true story behind Robinson Crusoe Island, where Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk survived alone for over four years. Explore the island’s history, ecology, and the real-life events that inspired Daniel Defoe’s classic novel.

Próspera: The Silicon Citadel of Neocolonial Ambition

A tech corporation is building a "private city" on the island of Roatán, complete with its own laws and police. Now, they are suing the government of Honduras for $11 billion. Explore the dark reality of this controversial experiment where a company tries to act like a country.

Tortuga, Haiti: The Birthplace of the Caribbean Pirate Republic

Explore Tortuga, Haiti—the real-life pirate republic that birthed the Brethren of the Coast. Discover how this small Caribbean island became the headquarters of legendary pirates like Henry Morgan and François l'Olonnais, and how its lawless society shaped the golden age of piracy.

Diego A.

Ruins of Civilizations

Great Zimbabwe: Africa’s Forgotten City of Stone and Gold

Explore Great Zimbabwe, the medieval African city of stone and gold. Discover its construction, the Shona civilization, global trade networks, the iconic soapstone birds, and the colonial myths that sought to erase its African origins. A deep dive into one of Africa’s most remarkable archaeological wonders.

St. Mary’s Island, Madagascar: The Lost Pirate Kingdom of the Indian Ocean

Discover St. Mary’s Island, Madagascar—the real-life pirate republic where legends like Henry Every, William Kidd, and La Buse ruled the Indian Ocean. Explore its lawless history, hidden treasures, and the rise and fall of the world’s most notorious pirate haven.

Rocinha: Inside Rio’s Largest Favela - The Labyrinth of Concrete, Color, and Chaos

Explore Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro’s largest favela, where poverty, violence, and resilience intersect. Discover its origins as a squatter settlement, the daily realities of life in the favela, and the vibrant culture of funk, street art, and community activism.

Nassau: The Republic of Pirates and the Golden Age of Outlaws

Dive into the swashbuckling history of Nassau, Bahamas—the infamous pirate stronghold of the Golden Age. Discover how Blackbeard, Charles Vane, Anne Bonny, and the Flying Gang turned the island into a lawless republic, and how Woodes Rogers brought their reign to a fiery end.

Hacienda Nápoles: Pablo Escobar’s Extravagant Playground and Its Dark Legacy

Step inside Hacienda Nápoles, the opulent private estate of Pablo Escobar, where luxury and violence coexisted. Once a playground for the world’s most notorious drug lord, this sprawling ranch—complete with a private zoo, replica of the Parthenon, and hidden tunnels—was funded by blood money and built on fear.

Little Saint James: The Dark Paradise of Jeffrey Epstein

Step inside the dark and disturbing world of Little Saint James, the private Caribbean island that became the epicenter of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. Once a luxurious retreat for the elite, this 72-acre paradise hid a sinister reality: a hub for the sexual exploitation of underage girls, facilitated by Epstein’s wealth, power, and connections.

Diego A.

Cahokia: The Lost Metropolis of the Mississippi and the Rise and Fall of America's First City

Ruins of Civilizations

Cahokia: The Lost Metropolis of the Mississippi and the Rise and Fall of America's First City

Uncover the dark secrets of Cahokia Mounds, America’s forgotten ancient metropolis. From the architectural genius of Monks Mound to the forensic evidence of mass human sacrifice in Mound 72, explore the rise and mysterious collapse of the Mississippian empire.

Eastern State Penitentiary: Inside America’s First Modern Prison and Its Haunting Legacy

Step inside Eastern State Penitentiary, the world’s first true penitentiary, where solitude was both punishment and torture. Explore its revolutionary design, the psychological horrors of its Pennsylvania System, infamous inmates like Al Capone, and the eerie legends that haunt its crumbling walls.

Diego A.

Diego A.

The most recent posts byDiegoA.

Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Inca and Its Enduring Mysteries

Robinson Crusoe Island: The True Story Behind the Legend

Próspera: The Silicon Citadel of Neocolonial Ambition

Tortuga, Haiti: The Birthplace of the Caribbean Pirate Republic

Great Zimbabwe: Africa’s Forgotten City of Stone and Gold

St. Mary’s Island, Madagascar: The Lost Pirate Kingdom of the Indian Ocean

Rocinha: Inside Rio’s Largest Favela - The Labyrinth of Concrete, Color, and Chaos

Nassau: The Republic of Pirates and the Golden Age of Outlaws

Hacienda Nápoles: Pablo Escobar’s Extravagant Playground and Its Dark Legacy

Little Saint James: The Dark Paradise of Jeffrey Epstein

Cahokia: The Lost Metropolis of the Mississippi and the Rise and Fall of America's First City

Eastern State Penitentiary: Inside America’s First Modern Prison and Its Haunting Legacy

The most recent posts by
Diego
A.