What if your neighbor, your diplomat, or your local scholar wasn’t who they claimed to be? What if they were living a double—or triple—life as a covert operative? In this episode of History Crossroads, we unravel the incredible story of Iosif Grigulevich, a Soviet spy whose life was a masterclass in reinvention.

From his early days as a young Marxist in Buenos Aires to his role in the Spanish Civil War, Grigulevich honed his skills as an infiltrator and assassin. He helped orchestrate the assassination of Leon Trotsky in Mexico, disrupted anti-Soviet networks in Europe, and even posed as Costa Rica’s ambassador to Italy and Yugoslavia. At the height of the Cold War, he was tasked with one of the Soviet Union’s boldest missions: the assassination of Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito.

But what happens when a spy walks away from the shadows? In his later years, Grigulevich transformed himself once again—this time into a respected scholar of Latin American history, leaving behind a legacy as enigmatic as the man himself.

Join us as we explore the suspenseful and morally complex life of one of the Cold War’s most fascinating figures—a man whose many hats concealed more than just his head. If you love hidden stories from history, this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in now, and don’t forget to share the episode and follow History Crossroads for more tales from the crossroads of history.