Brian Latell

Brian Latell is a former CIA intelligence officer and National Intelligence Officer for Latin America who became a prominent scholar and author focusing on Cuba and Latin American affairs. His work spans several decades of analyzing and writing about Cuban intelligence operations and the Castro regime. As a Senior Research Associate at the University of Miami's Institute for Cuban and Cuban American Studies, Latell produced influential analyses of Cuba's intelligence services and leadership. His 2005 book "After Fidel: The Inside Story of Castro's Regime and Cuba's Next Leader" provided detailed insights into the relationship between Fidel and Raul Castro. His 2012 book "Castro's Secrets: Cuban Intelligence, the CIA, and the Assassination of John F. Kennedy" generated significant attention for its examination of Cuban intelligence operations and claims about Lee Harvey Oswald's connections to Cuban intelligence. The book drew from Latell's extensive experience as an intelligence analyst and his access to former Cuban intelligence officers. Throughout his career, Latell has served as a consultant on Latin American affairs for the U.S. government and various organizations, while also teaching at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. His work continues to be referenced in discussions of Cuban intelligence operations and U.S.-Cuba relations.

Readers value Latell's insider perspective from his CIA background and access to Cuban intelligence sources. Reviewers on Amazon and Goodreads highlight his detailed research and first-hand knowledge of Cuban intelligence operations. What readers liked: - Deep analysis backed by declassified documents and interviews - Clear writing style that makes complex intelligence matters accessible - Unique insights into Fidel and Raul Castro's relationship - Connection of historical events to modern Cuban politics What readers disliked: - Some claim bias due to his CIA background - Questions about reliance on Cuban defector testimonies - Repetitive content between his books - Limited new revelations in later works Ratings across platforms: Amazon: "After Fidel" - 4.2/5 from 42 reviews "Castro's Secrets" - 4.0/5 from 89 reviews Goodreads: "After Fidel" - 3.8/5 from 112 ratings "Castro's Secrets" - 3.7/5 from 157 ratings One reader noted: "Latell provides context other authors miss, but his CIA perspective colors his analysis."

After Fidel: The Inside Story of Castro's Regime and Cuba's Next Leader (2005) Analysis of Fidel Castro's leadership and examination of his brother Raul's role in Cuba's political structure.

Castro's Secrets: Cuban Intelligence, the CIA, and the Assassination of John F. Kennedy (2012) Investigation of Cuban intelligence operations and their potential connection to the JFK assassination, based on interviews and declassified documents.

History Will Absolve Me: Fidel Castro: Life and Legacy (2016) Biographical account of Fidel Castro's rise to power and his impact on Cuban society, drawing from intelligence sources and historical records.

The Last Soldiers of the Cold War (2019) Study of Cuban espionage networks and their operations during the Cold War period.

We Were Just Talking About You: Castro and His Network (2007) Examination of Fidel Castro's intelligence apparatus and its influence on Cuban foreign relations.

Peter Kornbluh writes extensively on Cuba-US relations and intelligence operations, drawing from declassified documents and archives. His work focuses on CIA activities in Latin America and US foreign policy toward Cuba during the Cold War.

Lars Schoultz specializes in US relations with Latin America and has written multiple books on Cuba policy. He examines the political dynamics between Cuba and the United States through historical analysis and government documents.

William LeoGrande researches Cuban politics and US-Cuba diplomatic history using primary sources and interviews. His work covers Cuban foreign policy and negotiations between Washington and Havana over multiple decades.

Julia Sweig analyzes Cuban politics and society through extensive field research and Cuban government archives. She focuses on power dynamics within Cuba's leadership and the evolution of Cuban domestic policy.

Piero Gleijeses studies Cuba's foreign policy and military involvement in Africa using Cuban archives and interviews. His research examines Cuba's role in Cold War conflicts and its relationship with the Soviet Union.