Espionage in America’s Backyard: How a Spy Novel Reflects Real CIA Missions

 

CIA Operatives Conduct Undercover Operations in the Caribbean and Latin America

          Brian’s childhood was all about survival—hustling on the streets of Trinidad, selling fruit just to put food on the table. Not exactly the upbringing you’d expect for a future CIA officer. But today, both Brian and his sister, who grew up in the rough-and-tumble neighborhoods of Trinidad, are working in the upper ranks of the CIA.

     They’re part of a fresh wave of dual nationals recruited from the Caribbean and Latin America. The CIA’s not just looking for new faces—they’re after people who bring deep cultural knowledge and local instincts, crucial for tightening America’s grip in its own backyard.

     In the spy thriller Mission ofVengeance, CIA station chief Corey Pearson is no stranger to the complexities of Latin America and the Caribbean. He knows firsthand the value of people like Brian and his sister—locals who bring more than just language skills to the table. Their deep-rooted knowledge of the region gives Pearson an edge when the unexpected hits, like a terrorist uprising or an insurgency flaring up out of nowhere. Pearson, much like the real-life CIA, recruits operatives who understand the volatile mix of culture, language, and history that can make or break a mission in these hot zones.

     For Brian, leaving Trinidad didn’t mean leaving his past behind. When his homeland turned into a recruiting ground for the Islamic State a decade ago, the CIA called on him and his sister to help make sense of it all. Their fluency in local customs, dialects, and even cricket (yes, cricket) was crucial to U.S. intelligence efforts in the area. "That drive to give back is real," Brian said. "If you're thinking about doing this kind of work, don’t let where you’re from hold you back."

     Brian’s story isn’t a one-off. All across Latin America and the Caribbean, the CIA has been pulling in people with dual nationalities—folks who’ve grown up straddling two worlds and bring invaluable skills to the agency’s global game plan.

     Here’s a real-life example that mirrors the kind of work Corey Pearson faces in Mission of Vengeance. Back in 2007, the CIA, along with U.S. authorities, disrupted a plot to blow up fuel tanks and pipelines at JFK Airport in New York.

     The terrorist operation was orchestrated by a group of individuals from both the U.S. and the Caribbean, including Guyanese and Trinidadian nationals. One of the key players, Abdul Kadir, a former Guyanese politician, was taken down thanks to intelligence the CIA helped gather. Their plan? Use explosives to target the airport’s fuel system, potentially causing massive destruction.

     Just like in Pearson’s world, this case highlights how critical the CIA’s cooperation with Caribbean nations is. It’s not just about collecting intelligence—it’s about stopping threats before they wreak havoc, proving why locals with regional expertise are so essential to these operations.

     This whole approach fits right in with CIA Director Bill Burns’ modern strategy. He’s all about making the agency more diverse and nimble, reflecting the world it’s trying to protect. Burns recently pointed out how they’ve slashed the hiring process from 600 days to under 180, opening the door for talent from every corner of the world.

     In Mission of Vengeance, Corey Pearson gets it too. When he’s racing against the clock to stop a Hezbollah attack at an OAS meeting in the Bahamas, he knows that operatives like Brian—who have deep roots in the region—are the key to outsmarting terrorists who can blend in with the local scene. You don’t learn that kind of street smarts from a textbook.

     But this recruitment push isn’t just about stopping the bad guys. It’s about understanding the bigger picture—how global politics move and the subtle cultural shifts that can change the game.

     Robynne, a CIA officer who grew up in Jamaica before moving to Florida, laughs about the agency cafeteria’s shaky attempts at serving jerk chicken. It’s those little things—often overlooked—that can make or break a mission. “Early on, you definitely feel like an imposter,” Robynne admits. But that uncertainty didn’t last long. “Here, hard work and a desire to give back don’t go unnoticed.”

     Corey Pearson would get it. For him, recruiting dual nationals isn’t about hitting diversity numbers; it’s about tapping into the fire of people who come from regions close to America’s backyard, places like the Caribbean and Latin America that often get left out of the intelligence loop. These officers—people like Brian, Mia, and Robynne—bring the kind of determination that comes from pulling yourself out of tough circumstances. They’re crucial to the agency’s mission, and Pearson, more than anyone, knows that you can’t succeed without them.

          As Brian’s sister Mia put it, her love for foreign policy started by watching how American power plays out from the view of the developing world. She’s seen firsthand how those policies impact real people on the ground—exactly the kind of insight the CIA needs. Corey Pearson, the CIA spymaster from Mission of Vengeance, looks for that same thing in his operatives: people who get the complex dance between politics, culture, and conflict across borders.

     In both the real world and fiction, the CIA’s focus on recruiting diverse talent isn’t just window dressing—it’s a matter of survival. Whether it’s Corey Pearson navigating the murky waters of espionage in the Caribbean or real-life agents like Brian and Mia using their cultural roots to protect national security, this push for operatives from places like Latin America and the Caribbean is reshaping the way the CIA operates. These recruits bring a deep understanding of both worlds, making them invaluable in dealing with regional threats and crises.

     And here’s the kicker: the American public directly benefits from this. By having agents who can monitor and engage with the complex dynamics in America’s backyard, the CIA is better equipped to detect and prevent threats before they reach U.S. shores. Whether it's thwarting terrorist plots or countering foreign influence, a stronger CIA presence in the Caribbean and Latin America means a safer and more secure America. Because when you’re dealing with threats this close to home, you want someone who knows the neighborhood. 

Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and authors the ‘Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster’ series. Check out his latest spy thriller, ‘Mission of Vengeance’.