In today’s episode we welcome Dr Francesca Lessa. Dr Lessa is associate professor in International Relations of the Americas at University College London.

Previously, she was a researcher and lecturer at the University of Oxford, where, among other achievements, she secured a prestigious Marie Curie Fellowship. Her research focuses on transnational repression, human rights and transitional justice.

Her latest book, The Condor Trials, is at the centre of our episode. The book won two major boook awards. The Juan Méndez Human Rights Award in Latin America in 2023 and the Ibero-American Book Award from the Latin American Studies Association in 2024.

The episode covers the orgins and historical precedents of Operation CONDOR. We discuss its various components including transnational repression and international assassination squads. We assess the role of the United States and we cover some of the trials that have followed the end of CONDOR and of the military dictatorships in latin America.

Listeners of our podcast can secure a special discount price of £35. To secure the discounted price, follow this direct link: https://yalebooks.co.uk/book/9780300254099/the-condor-trials/

Use code: Y2443 at the online check-out.

Dr Lessa’s Book recommendations:

- Fernando Butazzoni, Las Cenizas del Condor (in Spanish) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/712211/las-cenizas-del-condor--the-ashes-of-the-condor-by-fernando-butazzoni/- John Dinges, The Condor Years (particularly recommended here is the new edition of the book including archival material from 2019), https://amzn.eu/d/7LsNkng - Dana Moss and Saipira Furstenberg (Eds.), Transnational Repression in the Age of Globalisation, https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-transnational-repression-in-the-age-of-globalisation.html