The Spy Who - The Spy Who Colluded with Castro | The A Traitor in the Making | 1

Episode Date: September 30, 2025

In the heart of the Cold War, student Ana Montes is angered by US meddling in Central America. So when a mysterious Cuban offers her a chance to do more than protest, she’s pulled into a dangerous new world.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wonderry plus subscribers can binge full seasons of the Spy Who early and add free on Apple Podcasts or the Wondery app. Before we begin, a note that this episode contains depictions of violence and may not be suitable for all. And a thank you to our listener Charlotte, who requested that The Spy Who tells the tale of Anna Montez by emailing us at The Spy Who at Wondry.com. The spy who colluded with Castro is dedicated to the memory of Karen Lowe. Inside the offices of the US Defense Intelligence Agency, a polygraph examiner prepares his lie detector kit. He looks up as the woman he's scheduled to test walks in without waiting to be invited. Her name is Anna Montez, and she's not one for pleasantries.

Is this where I sit? Sure is. He steps aside as Montez sits. She's short-haired, athletic, with family ties to Puerto Rico. And she works as an analyst at the Defence Intelligence Agency. It's one of America's less high-profile intelligence agencies charged with collecting intel on foreign military capabilities and intentions. The examiner finishes setting up his equipment.

Montez keeps glancing at her watch. Are you ready? I've got a meeting I need to be at. Montez seems irritated. That's unusual. Most people seem nervous when they're about to undergo a polygraph. But the examiner doesn't dwell on it. People show nervousness in different ways. Besides, she's not under suspicion.

Today is just a routine test. But it's the first Montez has had since joining the DIA. And these random security checks matter. Her current role, analyzing intelligence about Cuba, gives her access to some of America's greatest military secrets. Equipment ready, the examiner turns his attention to Montez. Okay, could you raise your arms above your head? He fastens a monitor around her upper chest and another around her waist.

These will keep track of her breathing. Now, please roll up your sleeve. He straps a blood pressure monitor to her upper arm and make sure all the leads are connected to his machine. Then he fastens electrodes around her fingertips to measure electrodermal activity. So I'm sure you know the drill. I will ask you a few questions.

You must answer either yes or no. Yes. Great. Is your name Anna Berlin-Montes? Yes. The first questions are straightforward to make sure the equipment's functioning and to provide a baseline to compare later on. answers to. Is your sister named Lucy? Yes. Am I wearing jeans? No. Are we sitting outside? No.

He watches for changes in the graph being plotted out by the polygraph machine. All the readings indicate her physiological responses remain steady when she answers truthfully. If she lies to any of his subsequent questions, the readings should show a sudden spike. Now for the real questions. Did you recently travel to Cuba on official business? Yes. Her answer registers as truthful. Not that he'd expect anything less.

But it's his job to check for signs of irregular breathing or a spike in blood pressure when the questions get more pointed. Are you a spy for a foreign power? He stares at the readings on the plotter. Montez has access to military secrets at almost every level. secrets that enemy spies are out to get access to. If she's a spy, then America will have suffered one of the most damaging security breaches in its history.

From Wondery, I'm Indrovama and this is the spy, and this is the spy who colluded with Castro. Beneath the veneer of the everyday lurks the realm of the spy. It's a murky world full of dark corners, sinister motives and corrupted morals, a place of paranoia and infiltration, sabotage and manipulation. In this series, we open the file on Arna Montez, the most damaging female spy in U.S. history that we know of. Working as a mole for Cuba, she gained access to America's highest-level secrets,

stole intel that had deadly consequences, and rendered a multi-billion dollar spy program useless. What you're about to hear are dramatized reconstructions of events based on the information that's been made public. But remember, in the shadow realm of the spy, the full story is rarely clear. This is episode one, a traitor in the making. It's 1984.

10 years before Anna Montez's polygraph, and in Washington, D.C., Montez is taking part in a protest against U.S. policy in Central America. She's chanting while marching alongside her friend and fellow student, Marta Velazquez. Dead squads! No more! Stop this contra war! Death squads! No more! Stop this contra war! They're both students at John Hopkins University. Montez is completing a master's in international studies,

and she and Velazquez are furious about U.S. interventions in Cuba, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Today's protest is a reaction to Congress approving $24 million of aid to the Contras. The Contras are a CIA-backed right-wing militia, and they're trying to overthrow the ruling socialist junta, the Sandanistas. The Cuban-Bapt Sandinistas seized power in Nicaragua five years ago, but in the name of fighting communism, the US is supporting efforts to topple them. As the protest dissolves, the two friends head home,

but Montez is still fired up. How can this be happening? Innocent people are dying, and our government is backing regimes that kill and torture their own people. It's just wrong. Yeah, and it's no one-off, Anna. They do it time after time. Chile, Cuba, Panama, Granada, El Salvador,

Salvador, now Nicaragua. President Reagan says the communists are evil, but look at the blood they spill and in our names. Yeah, it's like they want another Vietnam. And you know what the most depressing thing is? What? Nobody's listening to us. Don't get me wrong. I think it's important to come here and to speak out. But I'm not kidding myself that these protests will actually make any difference. Velasquez stops walking and stares at Montez for a moment. Phares looks puzzled. What? You know, Anna, if you really wanted to do more,

there's someone I can introduce you to. Several months later, Manhattan. Mian Chang Hermann pushes open the restaurant door and steps inside. He's a Cuban intelligence officer, working under diplomatic cover at Cuba's mission to the United Nations. in New York. He looks around and spots Marta Velasquez waving to him from a booth near the back. He makes a beeline to where she's sitting.

Next to her is another young woman. Velasquez smiles as she introduces her. This is my good friend, Anna Montez. I've told her about you. Chang Hermann slides into the seat opposite them. Anna, it's a pleasure to meet you. Marta tells me you share our frustration with. American foreign policy. I'm ashamed at how our government acts. It forced Fidel Castro to seek an ally

in the Soviet Union. You are obviously well informed. That is refreshing. Most Americans are too lazy to see what's really happening. Thank you. The U.S. is a bully and somebody needs to stand up to bullies. My family's from Puerto Rico, but we're not treated the same as other Americans. If the U.S. doesn't respect its own citizens, what hope is there? for the rest of the world. Chang Hermann gestures towards Montez's t-shirt. On it is a slogan, support the Sandinistas. Marta tells me you want to help our comrades in Nicaragua.

Yes, protests aren't enough. I want to do more. Is there something more I could do? Well, you could translate American policy documents into Spanish for us. That would be useful. That seems kind of menial. I'm a graduate doing a master's degree in international studies. I have a lot more to offer.

You have something in mind? Most of our class are taking jobs in government. I could apply to join an intelligence agency. That way I could help influence government policy. Chang Hedman looks to Velasquez, who makes a subtle nod. Then he makes eye contact with Montez. It is great to know that someone with your intellect and understanding is willing to to help. I'd like to discuss your offer with my superiors. Would you be able to write a biography of

yourself that I could share with them? He sees Montez look at her friend who smiles reassuringly. Montez nods. Okay, I'll get one typed up. Chang Hermann smiles. Velazquez was right. Montez has all the makings of a useful agent for Cuban intelligence. January 1985, Washington, D.C. In her apartment, Montez is reading Foda's Guide to Spain when the phone rings.

Hey, Anna speaking. Anna, it's me, Lucy. Montez pulls the phone over to the couch and gets comfortable. It's been a while since she chatted with her younger sister. When they were For kids, they shared a bedroom and talked all the time. Are you at home? Is mum there? I'm at home. Mom's not here at the moment. And I'm not going to be here for much longer.

That's what I'm calling to tell you. You're moving out? I'm moving to Miami. I've got a job with the FBI. You've what? Montez's blood runs cold. She's just agreed to spy for Cuba. Now her sisters join the federal agency that hunts foreign spies. She realizes that the Cubans might not trust her when they find out about this, and she certainly can't trust Lucy anymore.

I said I've joined the FBI. Why do you want to work for the FBI? I want to do my bit for our country. I thought you'd be pleased. Sure. Every FBI agent I've ever met is a complete jerk, but if you're happy working with a bunch of jerks, then I'm happy for you.

I don't understand why you're acting this way. Dad's been really supportive. He told me to go for it, even though Miami's a long way from home. That doesn't surprise me. Dad's a complete jerk, too. Well, I don't care what you think, Anna. I'm taking the job. Thanks for nothing. March 1985, a safe house in Havana, Cuba. Montes and Velazquez are in Cuba being trained in espionage. Americans are banned from traveling to Cuba, so they travel to Europe and then use false passports to reach the island. And today they are learning how to receive shortwave radio messages. The friends both listen as their Cuban instructor explains the system.

At prearranged times, a series of numbers will be broadcast. from a number station here in Havana. You must write them on water-soluble paper so they're easy to destroy in a hurry. Then you'll be given a code to decipher the messages. Montez listens intently. There's been a lot to take in over the past few days. On the streets of Havana,

they've learned how to spot and lose tales. They've practiced identifying dead drops. Now they are learning how to receive instructions from their Cuban spymasters. After the instructor turns off the radio, Montez raises her hand. What do we do with the messages once we've deciphered them? You must destroy any notes and remember your instructions. Any other questions?

Will we learn how to pass a polygraph test? You don't need to worry about them. These so-called lie detectors have no value. It's all pseudoscience. Maybe. But US intelligence agencies take them seriously. I've applied for a job as an analyst at the Defence Intelligence Agency. If I'm going to pass on anything I learned there, then I need to make sure I can pass the test, or I could end up in prison.

Okay, okay. These tests are not reliable. But if the US government thinks they are, then sure, we will teach you how to defeat them. Six months later, Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA, headquarters. Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. Montez waits in reception watching a stream of white men in suits enter through the glass doors,

flash their IDs at security and head towards the elevator. After a few moments, a man gets out of the elevator and breezes towards her. Anna Montez? Yes. Welcome to the DIA. You're going to be working with me to start with

on the El Salvador death. I'll take you to the office. Follow me. Montez follows, but the security guard stops her. I need to check your bag, ma'am. Montez opens her bag and watches as the guard rummages through its contents. Thank you, ma'am. He hands her bag back, and they head for the elevator. Do they always do bag checks?

They're random, but they do them often enough, both on the way in and on the way out. We can't be too careful. You'll get used to it. Sunday luncheon. time two weeks later, a Chinese restaurant in Washington, D.C. Montez looks up from her book as her Cuban handler arrives. Honesto, good to see you. She greets him like the old friend he's supposed to be.

Their friendship is pretend, but Montez is pleased to be meeting him for lunch. She doesn't have many friends, and as a Cuban spy, she can't risk getting too friendly with her colleagues at the DIA. It's good to see you too. We should speak in Spanish. Fewer people will understand us that way. What's that you're reading? Montez pushes her book across the table.

I thought it might help. How to improve your memory? They do bag searches. Any information I bring from the office has to be carried in my head. It's too risky to remove documents. Montez studies the menu while Ernesto flicks through the book. Interesting. But do you really think you can memorize entire documents?

She hands him the menu. Try me. What do you mean? Choose three dishes you'd like to order. Tell me the number on the menu, and I'll try to remember what it is. Okay. Number 13.

Sichuan dumplings in spicy red hot sauce. Wow, you're good. Number 23, shrimp soup, hot and sour. 34? Deluxe whole duck with bamboo shoots. And do you know the prices? $3, $2.50 and $25. Your meal will be $30 and $0.50. Smart cookie.

Should we order? After ordering, Ernesto gets to business. When you have something for me, we need to arrange a dead drop where you can leave it. Have you identified anywhere? No. No dead drops. They're too risky. Better we meet in person.

Let's have lunch here every third Sunday. That feels risky. No, it's better that we hide in plain sight. If anybody sees us, we're just two Hispanic friends having lunch together. That's much less suspicious than leaving brown envelopes in tree trunks. Okay, we'll try it your way. Montez leans back in her chair, pleased with the way things are going. It's nearly a year since she first made contact with the Cubans.

Now she works for a US intelligence agency and is ready to pass its secrets to Castro's communist regime. El Paraiso army garrison El Salvador. DIA analyst Ana Montez is on her first overseas mission to assess the progress of the civil war in El Salvador. The war is in its seventh year and an estimated 60,000 people have died. The U.S. is supporting the country's military dictatorship

in its fight with the FMLN, a force of Marxist guerrillas that are backed by Cuba. Montez follows Staff Sergeant Gregory Fronius through the base. Fronius is a green beret, one of the U.S. Special Forces officers sent to El Salvador to help train the Salvadoran army. He briefs Montez as he guides her past columns of marching troops. We're pretty much on the front line here, ma'am.

Only 58 clicks from the capital. Does that increase the risk of attack? Montez's role is to assess how capable the Salvadoran army is of repelling such an attack. attack. Yes, it does, ma'am, but this compound is almost impenetrable. And in the unlikely event the rebels gain access, we retreat to this bunker here. Montailles makes a note of its position before following Fronius into his office. There's a photo tacked above his desk. Is that your wife? Sure thing. And my two children?

They're in Panama. They must miss you. They understand why I'm here. Way I see things, ma'am, is like President Reagan says. El Salvador is closer to Houston than Houston is to New York. If the communists get a foothold here, then they have a springboard to the rest of America. We can't afford for that to happen. Absolutely not. Privately, Montez disagrees, but she pays lip service to the U.S. government position that American involvement in El Salvador is vital for homeland security. What I need to know, Sergeant, is if we're doing enough to prevent the rebels from gaining any sort of military foothold here.

As you can see, ma'am, security is tight, but we're not just hiding behind gates. There's a major operation planned at the end of March which will strengthen our offensive capabilities. Phronius unrolls a map and starts pointing out where exactly the troops from El Paraiso will be deployed. As far as he's concerned, Montez is an ally, sent here to keep military decision-makers in Washington informed about what's happening on the ground. There's no reason to keep her in the dark. Will having that many troops out on operations make this base vulnerable to attack?

Every deployment into the field increases vulnerability, ma'am, but we'll still have troops here and there are landmines guarding the approach here. He points to the location of the minefield on the map. Seems like you have everything well-covered, Sergeant. Yes, ma'am. And security at the base is tight. Everything surrounding those planned operations is strictly need to know. The chances of the rebels' learning of our plans are almost zero.

Two months later, El Paraiso Military Compound, 2am. Staff Sergeant Greg Fronius jumps from his bed, grabs his automatic rifle and runs outside. What the hell? The base is under attack. Mortars and rockets are whizzing everywhere. Salvadoran troops are scrambling to defensive positions. Armed rebels are already inside the compound.

Somehow they got past the landmines. Phronius runs for cover. Intense pain erupts in his left arm. He's hit. He crouches behind a jeep and stays low while bandaging his blood-soaked arm. He checks his surroundings. There are FMLN troops everywhere. Salvadoran soldiers are falling.

A senior officer runs past and shouts. Get to the bunker! But it's too late for that. A group of FMLN soldiers are heading towards the bunker and they're carrying plastic explosives. It's almost as if they know exactly where the bunker is and they're here to blow it up. And if they do that, they will kill everyone inside.

Fronius picks up his rifle and fires at the insurgents. Some of the rebels fall, but there are too many to take on single-handed. Fronius carries on shooting but feels the sting of bullets ripping into his body and falls to the ground. The 27-year-old, old father lies bleeding and powerless, watching the rebel troops advance towards him. They're carrying an explosive device. When they reach him, the men raise his bleeding body and place the device right underneath him.

Several months later, the FBI Training Academy, Quantico, Virginia. Montez is with her family. Her brother, Tito, has just graduated as an FBI agent. Montez takes a photo of him surrounded by the rest of the family. Everybody smile. I think I cut off Dad's head in that one. I'll do another. Dad, can you move in a bit? Now that Tito has the power to arrest, I'm not sure I should get too close.

Make sure you get it this time, Anna. I'm so proud of my family of law enforcers. Montez forces a smile. Her dad has always had a thing about the FBI. He even took them to visit its headquarters on a family holiday. Now, almost the entire family seems part of it. Tito's now an agent, and his wife is in training. Her sister Lucy works for the FBI's field office in Miami

and is dating a colleague. Her dad must be thrilled, but she feels sick. She takes a few more photographs before Lucy calls out to her. Now some with you, Anna. And perhaps a couple on your own, too, to mark your commendation? Montez hands her sister the camera and stands beside her dad. He looks at her. You never told me you had an award, Anna?

What was it for? It's nothing, really. Just recognition for some work I did related to El Salvador. I can't talk about it. You should take pride in your work. Tell me about it. Seriously, Dad, I can't talk about work. You know that.

Anyway, today is Tito's Day. She forces a smile as Lucy takes a photo and backs her up. It's true, Dad. Anna could lose her job if she says too much. All you need to know is that she's helping protect our country against the threat of communism. Isn't that great? Six years later, 1993, Cuba. Montez walked through the back streets of Havana.

She's now landed a job on the DIA's Cuba desk, and she's here on official U.S. government business. But now she's slipped away from the rest of the DIA team for a secret meeting with her Cuban spymasters. Montez stops outside the safe house door and takes a compact mirror from her bag. She uses it to reapply her lipstick. A passing Cuban shows his appreciation,

but Montez is not really concerned with her appearance. She's using the mirror to check she's not being followed. Moments later, she's inside the safe house, ready to brief her handler. I don't have long. If I'm late back, my colleagues will get suspicious. Of course, we don't want to risk this either. You are one of our greatest assets. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union,

we are more exposed than ever to American agreement. We are relying on you to counter that, and I am more committed than ever. Good. So what do you have for me? An undercover CIA agent is being sent to Cuba soon. How soon? Do you have a name? I'm working on getting that. But I do have something of immediate value. Part of the reason I'm here is to visit the base at Guantanamo Bay. Cuba permanently leased Guantanamo Bay to the United States. dates back in 1903, but Castro once the naval base returned, he argues that the deal was forced on Cuba, and Montez's spymaster is keen to learn all he can about the base. Tell me what you saw there. A year later, DIA headquarters Bolling Air Base, Washington, D.C.

In a small room, Montez sits in a chair wired up to a polygraph machine and undergoing questioning. She's been a DIA analyst for almost nine years, and she's never yet had to take a lie detector test. She watches the examiner adjust the settings before he poses his next question. Did you recently travel to Cuba on official business? Yes. She knows the first few questions are to make sure the machine is working. But the mention of her visit in Cuba only adds to her nervousness. Montez tenses her sphincter muscles.

Her Cuban spymasters told her this controls the blood pressure and fools the machine. The polygraph examiner looks up from his machine. Are you a spy for a foreign power? No. Have you passed classified information to people without clearance? Montez clenches again. No. Did you inform your supervisor about everyone you met during your visit to Cuba?

Yes. 30 minutes later, the examiner stops the questions and starts disconnecting the censors. Montez maintains her calm. Are we done? Yes, and you're all clear. As I said, it's just a random test. Montez's relief soon gives way to renewed confidence. By beating the lie detector,

she's proved herself beyond suspicion. She's one of the most senior analysts in the DIA, and thanks to this polygraph test, she's just got the green light to carry on spying. Two years later, February the 24th, 1996, the sky above Cuba. In the cockpit of a MiG-29 fighter jet, a Cuban Air Force pilot watches the horizon. He's on the lookout for three U.S. airplanes that were detected in Cuban airspace just minutes ago. He sees them in the distance and radios back to base.

Objective insight. Three small Cessnaers are puttering on the edge of Cuba. airspace, but the control tower wants clarification. He homes in on one of the small twin-engine planes. Type and colour, white and blue, low altitude. It's a Cessna 337. We are locked on. Give us authorization. For months, Cuban exiles in Miami have been flying these planes over the island, dropping anti-Castro propaganda leaflets.

Cuba has objected to this violation of its airspace, but the exiles have carried on regardless. now it's time to stop them the pilot feels impatience control we're locked on hell give us the authorization fire authorized to destroy copy the pilot presses a button

a missile shoots forward and hits its target the Cessna is destroyed the pilot can barely contain his glee we blew his balls off Head into the next target. 8am the following morning, downtown Washington, D.C. Two US civilian planes operated by the Miami-based group Brothers to the Rescue. Montez listens to the news on the radio as she drive to the DIA offices.

Yesterday, Cuba shot down two planes owned by both. brothers to the rescue, a Miami-based humanitarian organization run by exiled Cubans. It's known for helping spot refugees fleeing Cuba by sea so that they can be rescued. She hits the steering wheel in frustration. Whatever way this plays out, it's not going to be good for Cuba. But that's not all brothers to the rescue do. They also drop anti-Castro leaflets over the island. She believes the Cubans have every right to stop them. But now there's a diplomatic crisis and she's been called into work first thing on a Saturday. As she waits at an intersection, Montez spots a familiar figure standing on the corner, her Cuban handler Ernesto.

He motions to her to pull over. Ernesto, I have to be at work. If I'm not there for this, they'll be onto me. But this is a crisis. I have new orders. I'm aware of the crisis. American citizens are dead. And we need to know if the US is going to retaliate. Meet me tonight.

I don't know if I can. You must. Cuba needs to be kept informed. Only you are in a position to help us. We must meet every night until this crisis is over. Twelve hours later, a meeting room inside the DIA's headquarters. Montez watches as her colleague Reg Browns snaps open a can of Coca-Cola. They haven't left the room all day.

The table in front of them is littered with takeaway boxes. Browns sips his cola and refocuses on the task in hand. We need to identify suitable targets for retaliation. Anna, any suggestions? Montez glances at the cost. clock on the wall. She's already late for her planned meeting with Ernesto. We should be de-escalating the situation, not ratcheting up tensions further. Those planes were in or about to violate Cuban airspace. At least one was in international airspace.

The president is the commander-in-chief, and he's asked for a list of potential targets. Our job is to supply those targets and let him decide if we strike or not. Our job is to give him the best advice based on our intelligence. My advice is that to strike Cuba now would make them look like the victims and allow them to claim the US as the aggressor. Montez checks the time again. If President Clinton is intent on striking Cuba, then she needs to warn Ernesto. You know what? I'm tired. I'm going home. She stands and picks up her bag, aware of the shocked glances exchanged between her colleagues. It's a national emergency. And nobody is expected to leave until it's over.

But she's out of the door before anyone can object. Two months later, DIA headquarters. Montez's colleague, Reg Brown, enters the office of DIA counterintelligence officer, Scott Carmichael. Oh, hey, Reg, come in. Carmichael's a big man with a round smiling face. and a friendly manner. Take a seat. What can I do for you?

Despite Carmichael's friendly demeanour, Brown knows he's one of the DIA's most dogged mole hunters, and he's beginning to wonder if he should be bothering him. I'm not sure. I've spent weeks trying to decide if I should say anything, and I don't know exactly what it is I'm trying to say, but my gut tells me it's something. Carmichael tips back in his chair.

I put a lot of store by gut instinct, so why don't you tell me what yours is telling you? Anna Montez. What about her? Like I said, I'm acting on a feeling. Brown relays the events of the brothers to the rescue crisis, how Montez pushed for de-escalation and then left early. Someone told me she took a call moments before she left. Maybe it was her husband, annoyed that she was working over. over the weekend and missing the kids?

Montez doesn't have a husband or kids. Or a boyfriend, for that matter. She's all about work, and yet, during one of the most important work meetings of her career, she disappears. It's kind of strange, but it's hardly a crime. Is there anything else? She's really pushy.

She's always forcing her way into meetings that she hasn't been invited to, and she doesn't need to be at. Sometimes you need to be pushy to get ahead. The DIA is a very privileged organisation. The people in it often make me feel like a simple Wisconsin farm boy. I can imagine a Latino woman must feel the pressure to prove herself. Sure, and look, I know that she's well respected and that she's earned that,

but she seems to see everything from Cuba's point of view. Maybe that's exactly what makes her a good analyst. She's paid to tell us how they think. Carmichael stands up, comes round to Brown's side of the desk and gives him a friendly pat on the shoulder. Listen, I appreciate you coming to me, but maybe your concerns are for HR. It sounds like office politics to me. I'm convinced there's more. I know she's a star and she works hard and this probably sounds like professional jealousy.

Brown breaks off. He wonders if he should just leave now before he damages his own reputation. But then Carmichael speaks. Listen, Reg, whatever it is you came here to say, why don't you just say it? Okay. I think Anna Montez is a spy. Brown instantly regrets his words. Carmichael's right.

There might be perfectly reasonable explanations for every concern he's raised. He's probably just put his own career on the line here. But what if he's right? Have you got a spy story you'd like us to tell? Email your ideas to the spy who at Wondry.com. From Wondry, this is the first episode in our season, The Spy Who, who colluded with Castro. A quick note about our dialogue.

We can't know everything that was said or done behind closed doors, particularly far back in history. But our scenes are written using the best available sources. So even if a scene or conversation has been recreated for dramatic effect, it's still based on biographical research. We used many sources in our research for this season, including True Believer by Scott Carmichael, code name Blue Ren by Jim Popkin,

and Queen of Cuba by Peter Lap. The Spy Who is hosted by me, Indra Varma. Our show is produced by Vespucci with writing and story editing by Yellow Ant for Wondery. For Yellow Ant, this episode was written by Lizzie Enfield and researched by Louise Byrne, with thanks to Marina Watson. Our managing producer is Jay Priest. For Vespucci, our senior producer is Ashley Clivery. Our sound designer is Alex Port Felix. Natalia Rodriguez is the supervising producer.

Music supervisor is Scott Velasquez for Frisson Sink. Executive producers for Vespucci are Johnny Galvin and Daniel Turcan. Executive producer for Yellow Ant is Tristan Donovan. Our senior producer for Wondery is Theodora Luludis. Executive producers for Wondry are Estelle Doyle and Marshall Louis. Wondery Plus subscribers can binge full seasons of the Spy Who early and add free on Apple Podcasts or the Wondery app.