Soberanía: The Mexican Politics Podcast

Епизоди

• Claudia Sheinbaum Takes on the ICE K*lling Machine 16.07.2026 59мин

  In episode 115 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth (broadcasting from Oaxaca) cover Mexico's sharp escalation in the fight against ICE abuses. The government is now filing criminal complaints with U.S. state and federal prosecutors over the deaths of Mexican nationals in detention and during enforcement operations, while also sending cease-and-desist letters to private prison operators like GEO Group and CoreCivic, and taking the issue to the UN Human Rights Commission. Next, they examine the scandal surrounding Baja California Governor Mariana del Pilar, who was caught in leaked audio speaking to unidentified people claiming to be U.S. intermediaries about getting her visa reinstated. While this isn't the outright treason of Chihuahua's Maru Campos, the hosts argue it's still embarrassing: a governor begging to cooperate with the U.S. to get her visa back, apparently willing to talk to anyone and offer anything.The episode also highlights a victory for public transportation: the Buena Vista–Felipe Ángeles Airport train has become a surprise hit, not just for airport travelers but for commuters from the state of Mexico who now shave hours off their daily journeys. The hosts argue this is what happens when you invest in public infrastructure — and contrast it with the U.S. model of privatized, car-centric development.Losers and Haters takes aim at far-right influencer and law professor Natalia Torres, who went on a podcast to argue that not everyone should be allowed to vote. The hosts note the deeply classist, racist, and medieval thinking behind such a statement — and how it perfectly encapsulates why the Mexican right remains its own worst enemy.
• Liar, Liar, Ten-Gallon Hat on Fire: Ex Amb Salazar Caught up in Scandal of His Own Making 08.07.2026 58мин

  In episode 114 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth (broadcasting remotely) cover a week of diplomatic scandals, World Cup drama, and economic news.The episode opens with the explosive revelation that the FBI has donated the plane used to kidnap Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada to a museum — effectively admitting U.S. involvement in the operation after years of denials. The hosts break down how Ken Salazar, the former U.S. ambassador, lied repeatedly about the incident. They connect this to the broader pattern of U.S. hypocrisy: negotiating with cartels while accusing Mexico of doing the same, and violating sovereignty while demanding cooperation.Next, they turn to FIFA's corruption on full display during the World Cup. From Trump personally intervening to overturn a red card for the U.S. star player, to blatant calls that robbed Iran and Egypt, the hosts argue the tournament now has a massive asterisk. Yet they also highlight Mexico's stellar performance as a host — welcoming England fans, embracing the Iranian team, and earning praise from supporters' groups worldwide — in stark contrast to the U.S. government's xenophobic and petty behavior.The episode also examines Mexico's return to the top 10 for foreign direct investment, with $41 billion in 2025. While the hosts acknowledge the importance of capital inflows, they caution that FDI doesn't automatically translate into quality jobs or reduced inequality, and note the tension between attracting investment and the U.S. demands for a veto on Chinese trade in USMCA negotiations.Losers and Haters takes aim at Argentine journalist Eduardo Feinmann, who went on a xenophobic rant against Mexico. The hosts note his ties to Ricardo Salinas Pliego, the Mexican billionaire who wants to be president, and contrast his hateful rhetoric with the hospitality Mexico showed the world during the World Cup.
• Sports as Diplomacy: Everybody Loves Mexico 01.07.2026 58мин

  In episode 113 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth kick off with a celebration — Mexico has advanced past a knockout stage at the World Cup for the first time since 1986, and the country's hospitality has won hearts worldwide, especially with its embrace of the Iranian team. They argue this moment reveals Mexico's genuine sportsmanship and internationalist spirit, in stark contrast to the U.S. government's petty and xenophobic treatment of Iran.Next, they examine two new developments on the Mexican right: the registration of a new opposition party, "Somos México," and the PAN's latest relaunch. The hosts break down the recycled cast of characters behind Somos México — oligarchs, failed politicians, and former electoral officials — and question whether it can survive the requirement to win 3% of the vote on its own in the next election. The PAN's new platform, meanwhile, reads like a greatest hits of failed neoliberal policies: privatizing the Dos Bocas refinery, scrapping the new public health system, drone patrols, mega-prisons, and tax cuts that the same party previously raised. Losers and Haters takes aim at a New York Times piece that claims Morena officials are secretly cooperating with U.S. investigators. The hosts dismantle the article's sourcing — eight anonymous "people involved in conversations" who are never quoted, recycled allegations from the same reporters who previously insinuated AMLO's sons were caught on video picking up drug money (a claim never substantiated), and the endless parade of the same irrelevant Mexican commentators. It's a case study in lazy, source-free rumor peddling dressed up as prestige journalism.
• AMLO in the Crosshairs (Again) 24.06.2026 59мин

  In episode 112 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth open with the fabricated "interview" of Carlos Monsiváis published by El Universal, which smears Andrés Manuel López Obrador with baseless, homophobic innuendo. The hosts demonstrate how the timeline doesn't match, how Monsiváis's family has denied the interview's authenticity, and how the episode reveals the moral bankruptcy of the Mexican right. They connect this to the broader campaign to destroy AMLO's moral authority as a way to weaken Claudia Sheinbaum's presidency.Next, they examine the Schrödinger's box of the USMCA trade agreement. The hosts explain that while the agreement will automatically extend for at least 10 more years, the U.S. may opt for annual reviews — a nightmare scenario that would allow Trump to hold a cudgel over Mexico's head every single year until 2036.The conversation then turns to the electoral results in Colombia and Peru. Iván Cepeda conceded a razor-thin defeat (by just 251,000 votes) to a far-right candidate endorsed by Trump, while in Peru, left-wing candidate Roberto Sánchez refuses to recognize Keiko Fujimori's victory, citing widespread fraud. The hosts analyze the different strategies — Cepeda's cautious concession versus Sánchez's defiance — and draw lessons for the Latin American left about the need to defang political opponents before they regain power.Losers and Haters takes aim at the BBC, which unironically tweeted that global trust in news has hit an all-time low — while ignoring its own role in that collapse, from its genocidal coverage of Gaza to its Middle East editor's ties to a CIA front group.
• 'La Perra de Trump': Mexican Soccer Fans Give Right-Wing Oligarch a Rude Awakening 17.06.2026 57мин

  In episode 111 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth cover a week of contrast — from a billionaire's public humiliation to a heartwarming display of South-South solidarity.The episode opens with the spectacular failure of Ricardo Salinas Pliego's attempt to use the World Cup as a launchpad for his presidential ambitions. Expecting to be greeted as a popular hero, the TV Azteca owner was instead met with chants of "Trump's bitch" from the crowd — a moment that went instantly viral. The hosts connect this to the deeper history of the Salinas family's ties to the CIA, documented in a recent investigation showing how far-right Mexican figures have been in Washington's orbit since the 1970s.Next, they turn to the warm reception Mexico has given the Iranian national team, who were forced to base themselves in Tijuana after the U.S. refused to let them stay on US soil. From the mayor of Tijuana hosting a reception, to crowds cheering them at their hotel, to the Iranian booth at the Chapultepec World Cup village drawing huge crowds, the hosts argue this is Mexico at its best — a rebuke to U.S. racism and a genuine expression of solidarity with a nation under attack.The episode also examines new polling showing Claudia Scheinbaum's approval at 71 percent — unchanged despite months of U.S.-backed smear campaigns. Homicides have dropped 46 percent under her administration, a statistic that gets virtually no English-language coverage because it undercuts the narrative of a "cartel-controlled" Mexico. The hosts note that even as the U.S. tries to justify intervention, Mexico's security strategy is producing results.Losers and Haters takes aim at U.S. commentators who can't accept that America lost its war with Iran and now has to take a bad deal. The segment highlights the cognitive dissonance of pundits demanding Trump renege on the agreement — as if losing a war doesn't require making concessions.
• On My Whistle: Mexico Braces for World Cup Conflict 10.06.2026 59мин

  In episode 110 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth open with an in-depth look at the ongoing teachers' protest in Mexico City. The hosts distinguish between the legitimate demands of the CNTE (including the reversal of a 2007 pension privatization) and the government's claim that violent tactics are being used to project an image of chaos ahead of the World Cup. They note that while the union has protested every government regardless of party, the current context, with FIFA demanding cosmetic works and Ricardo Salinas Pliego calling for radical action, has created a volatile mix.Next, they turn to a rare good news story: Mexico's first domestically produced electric vehicle, the Olinia. Priced at 150,000 pesos (about $8,600), the small car is designed for specific Mexican urban needs — school runs, market trips, mobility for people with disabilities — not for export or highway competition. The hosts explain how the vehicle fits into Plan Mexico's broader goal of building national industrial capacity and reducing dependence on imports, while also potentially improving Mexico City's air quality.The episode then examines the American Society gala, a who's-who of opposition figures who gathered to hear a proposal for a "crime-fighting treaty" with the U.S. While Ambassador Ron Johnson was a no-show, the hosts note the event's corporatist structure and its alignment with the Trump administration's push for direct U.S. military intervention in Mexico.Losers and Haters takes aim at cartoonist Paco Calderón, whose attempt to defend Maru Campos only highlighted the opposition's inability to maintain a consistent narrative about the Chihuahua CIA scandal, two months later and they still can't agree on whether she collaborated with U.S. agencies or not.Cover photo by Jay Watts
• Sheinbaum to US Ambassador: Mind Your Own Business 03.06.2026 58мин

  In the first live episode of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth break down a week of dramatic escalation in U.S.-Mexico tensions and President Sheinbaum's forceful response.The episode opens with a firsthand report from the massive Morena rally at the Monumento a la Revolución, where Sheinbaum delivered her toughest speech yet on U.S. interference. After listing the government's achievements over two years, she turned to the extradition request against Sinaloa Governor Rocha Moya and asked bluntly whether Washington is genuinely interested in fighting cartels or simply positioning itself to influence Mexico's 2027 elections. "Mexico is nobody's piñata," she said, warning that if the U.S. can target one governor, it will come for others until the Justice Department becomes "the principal elector in Mexico."The hosts then examine new fronts in U.S. pressure: reports that two more governors — Alfonso Durazo of Sonora and Américo Villarreal of Tamaulipas — are under federal investigation and have had their visas withdrawn, and Marco Rubio's testimony warning that Mexican cartels could use drones against U.S. interests — a new pretext for intervention. Meanwhile, new tariffs citing "forced labor" in Mexico ignore the actual forced labor happening in U.S. prisons and ICE detention centers.Losers and Haters takes aim at two figures: Héctor Aguilar Camín, and Enrique Krauze, who embarrassed himself by celebrating a right-wing Spanish politician lecturing Mexico on sovereignty. The hosts note that the opposition's reliance on foreign intervention only confirms how bankrupt their domestic project has become.
• Narco-Morena... Again!?: Why the Right's 'Narco' Narrative Keeps Failing 27.05.2026 57мин

  In episode 108 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth break down the latest astroturf campaign targeting Mexico's government and why it's likely to backfire.The episode opens with Sin Embargo's investigation into "Mexicanos al Grito de Paz," a shadowy group backed by billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego that has been organizing flash mobs and banner campaigns against President Sheinbaum. Following the same playbook as the failed "Gen Z" movement, the group's social media follows just five accounts — all tied to the country's rightist media — and pushes a single message: narco-Morena. The hosts explain why this one-note strategy is failing to gain traction with a Mexican public that has repeatedly rejected U.S.-backed smears.Next, they examine Mexico's proposed legislation to block foreign interference in elections; a direct response to U.S. meddling in Honduras, Argentina, and the upcoming Colombian elections. While the New York Times frames the move as authoritarian, the hosts clarify how electoral annulment actually works in Mexico: foreign interference would be just one of several legal grounds, and proving it changed an election result remains a high bar. Plus, new polling shows Morena has gained five points since February, while the PAN and PRI continue to collapse, the PAN now at just 4% party identification. Losers and Haters takes aim at a journalist who criticized Mexico for agreeing to host Iran's World Cup delegation in Tijuana after the U.S. refused to let them stay on American soil. The hosts dismantle her regurgitation of State Department talking points, noting the Iranian embassy's gracious response and the Mexican government's mature handling of a diplomatic logjam not of its making.
• CIA Out of Chihuahua: 20,000 Protest Secret Incursion into Mexico 20.05.2026 56мин

  In episode 107 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth break down Morena's massive march in Chihuahua — 20,000 people demanding the impeachment of Governor Maru Campos for allowing CIA operatives to conduct illegal operations on Mexican soil. The hosts discuss how the party's new leadership under Ariadna Montiel has finally taken an aggressive stance against treasonous state-level collaboration, contrasting this with past hesitancy.Next, they turn to a timely revelation from the morning press conference, Mexico's foreign secretary disclosed that of 269 extradition requests Mexico has made to the U.S. since 2018, not one has been fulfilled. The hosts highlight the glaring hypocrisy: the U.S. demands immediate cooperation while stonewalling Mexico's own requests, including for figures linked to the Ayotzinapa case.The episode also features a look at President Sheinbaum's typical weekend — two hospitals, a university campus, a high school, universal scholarships, a milk pasteurization plant, and supervision of the Maya Train cargo expansion, all in a single weekend. The hosts argue this relentless pace of public investment explains why Sheinbaum continues to enjoy widespread support.Losers and Haters takes aim at Luis Rubio of Mexico Evalúa, whose America's Quarterly piece masquerades as analysis but reads as a plea for U.S. capital to be allowed to pillage Mexico's resources — a confession of what all the diplomatic pressure is really about.
• Trump's Twin Threats: US Goes After Mexican Consulates and Weaponizes Counter-Terrorism Policy 13.05.2026 58мин

  In episode 106 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth examine the latest U.S. pressure tactics against Mexico — and why they're not working.The episode opens with two coordinated threats. First, the State Department has announced a review of all 53 Mexican consulates in the U.S., echoing a conspiracy theory pushed by far-right operatives about Mexican diplomats meddling in American affairs. Second, Trump's new counterterrorism strategy centers drug cartels and left-wing domestic groups as the primary threats — with language explicitly reserving the right to act unilaterally if a country "cannot or will not" cooperate.Next, the hosts recount the spectacular failure of Isabel Díaz Ayuso's visit to Mexico. The Madrid regional leader arrived expecting to be celebrated, instead faced protests everywhere and cut her trip short. Her post-visit response, calling Mexico a dangerous narco-state, only underscored how badly she misread the country. The hosts note that four PAN governors who met with her managed to hand Morena a gift by changing the news cycle away from the Rocha indictment.Finally, despite relentless U.S. pressure, new polling shows President Sheinbaum's approval has risen to 72 percent. Most telling: in Sinaloa, 60 percent oppose U.S. military operations on Mexican soil, even amid ongoing cartel violence. The episode closes with Losers and Haters targeting PRI president Alejandro Moreno, who traveled to Washington to formally request that Morena be designated a terrorist organization.
• The Empire Strikes Back: US Releases Sinaloa Indictment to Distract from Chihuahua CIA Scandal 06.05.2026 57мин

  In episode 105 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth dissect the U.S. government's extradition request for Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya — and why the timing looks less like justice and more like retaliation.The episode opens with a breakdown of the indictment, highlighting three red flags: the U.S. made it public within hours of notifying Mexico; they requested provisional arrest without providing evidence; and the charges rely on testimony from protected witnesses — likely the Chapitos — whose credibility is compromised. All of this comes just days after the Chihuahua scandal, where CIA agents were caught operating illegally with a PAN governor.The conversation then examines the newly released U.S. National Drug Control Strategy, which prioritizes militarized interdiction and "the healing power of faith" over public health — revealing that U.S. drug policy is about imperial control, not solving addiction.Finally, they turn to Morena's new party president, Adriana Montiel, a former wellbeing secretary who helped build Mexico's social programs inside the territory. Her first act? Expressing solidarity with Cuba — a promising shift for a party needing territory work, not spotlight seekers.Losers and Haters takes aim at a New York Times piece on Cuba's May Day march, which the hosts dismantle as propaganda: unscientific surveys, unsubstantiated claims, and an "embattled president" framing that ignores the actual U.S. blockade causing the crisis.
• Can't Spell Chihuahua Without CIA: Right-Wing Governor Faces Treason Allegations 29.04.2026 58мин

  In episode 104 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth dive into the deepening scandal over CIA operatives operating illegally in Mexico—and the U.S. ambassador's aggressive response.The episode opens with an update on the fallout from the Chihuahua incident, where two CIA agents died in a car crash while on an unauthorized operation alongside state authorities. The hosts trace how the story has evolved: the state attorney general's shifting explanations, the resignation of key officials, and Governor Maru Campos's refusal to appear before the Senate. They also examine the broader implications of U.S. Ambassador Ron Johnson's provocative statements about a coming "anti-corruption campaign" targeting Mexican politicians—a move that feels less about accountability and more about leveraging the USMCA negotiations.Next, they share a rare piece of good news: the long-awaited inauguration of the Felipe Ángeles Airport train line. Mexico City now has a reliable, affordable rail connection to its second airport—part of a broader state-led push for public transit that stands in stark contrast to the privatization models pushed by previous neoliberal administrations.Kurt then reports back from his recent trip to Chicago, where he spoke with Mexican migrant organizers about the shared struggle against U.S. aggression and the need to build bridges between communities on both sides of the border. The conversation touches on the 40-million-strong Mexican diaspora's political potential, the lingering effects of corporatist structures from the PRI era, and the challenge of building new forms of participation under the Fourth Transformation.Finally, Losers and Haters takes aim at a Wall Street Journal hit piece that paints President Sheinbaum as exhausted, short-tempered, and overwhelmed—relying on anonymous sources, tired stereotypes, and the ever-present Jorge Castañeda. The hosts dismantle the piece as misogynistic gossip dressed up as journalism, noting that for all the supposed chaos, Mexico's exports are up, its trains are running, and its president remains popular.
• Cuba Resists! Soberania Reports from the Island on the Patria Colloquium 22.04.2026 59мин

  In episode 103 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth return from Cuba with firsthand observations of life under the intensifying U.S. blockade.The episode opens with their report from the fifth Patria colloquium in Havana, where they witnessed both the resistence of the Cuban people and the daily reality of hours-hour blackouts, fuel shortages, and a growing waitlist for medical operations—including 11,000 children. Yet amid the hardship, they found a population that remains fiercely committed to defending its socialist project, grateful for Mexican solidarity, and determined not to give the empire the easy win it seeks.Next, they break down an explosive scandal: two CIA operatives died in a car crash in Chihuahua while returning from an operation led by state authorities. The problem? The Mexican federal government knew nothing about it. The hosts explain why this collaboration between a PAN state governor and U.S. intelligence is unconstitutional, illegal, and a profound violation of national sovereignty—and why Ambassador Ron Johnson has serious questions to answer.The episode closes on a positive note: Mexico's proposed transition to a universal, portable health care system. Kurt walks through the nuts and bolts of the plan, which would integrate the country's fragmented health subsystems by 2030—a rare bright spot of social investment at a time when much of the world is slashing public services.
• UN Meddles in Mexico: Flawed Disappearances Report Highlights Broken System 08.04.2026 58мин

  In episode 102 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth open with an in-depth examination of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances' unprecedented decision to refer Mexico's case to the General Assembly. The hosts break down why the Mexican government has rejected the report, arguing that the committee improperly extrapolated from outdated data (2009-2016) and stretched the definition of "enforced disappearance" beyond the committee's own definition—all while ignoring progress made since 2018. They question the timing and motivations behind the move.Next, the conversation shifts to Mexico's more assertive stance on migrant deaths in U.S. immigration custody. For the first time, Mexico is taking the issue to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights while also joining an amicus curiae brief in a lawsuit over the Adelanto detention center in California, where Mexican nationals have died. The hosts analyze what this shift signals about the new foreign policy approach under incoming foreign secretary Roberto Velasco.Finally, they introduce Velasco, the 38-year-old openly gay diplomat rising through the ranks as a protégé of Marcelo Ebrard. While not expecting a radical departure from past policy, the hosts note early signs of a more vocal and social media-savvy foreign ministry—a welcome change after the muted performance of his predecessor.The episode closes with a sobering Losers and Haters focused on Donald Trump's social media threats to "wipe a civilization off the face of the earth," and what that means for Mexico's long-term deterrence strategy.
• Goodbye Grift: Mexico Neuters US-Funded NGOs 01.04.2026 58мин

  In episode 101 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth return from a brief break to tackle the Mexican tax authority's decision to revoke the tax-deductible status some NGOs operating in the country, including prominent organizations linked to the opposition and US funding. The hosts break down what actually happened—a routine administrative review that these groups failed to comply with—and why the outcry reveals more about the privileges they've enjoyed than any actual repression.Next, they examine two recent incidents of U.S. troops entering Mexican territory without authorization, including a recent episode at the US-Mexico border and a November 2024 case where private contractors posted signs declaring Mexican land a U.S. restricted area. While the government has downplayed both incidents, the hosts argue they are part of a pattern of provocations that demand a serious deterrent strategy—something Mexico currently lacks.The conversation then turns to a U.S. House bill targeting Mexico over the Vulcan Materials dispute, a long-running environmental conflict in the Yucatán. The hosts detail how the Mexican government tried to negotiate a buyout before declaring the area a protected natural zone, and why the company's refusal to accept a fair price has now escalated into a congressional showdown.Finally, Losers and Haters takes aim at the PT party for blocking key elements of the electoral reform Plan B—a move that has angered the coalition's base and exposed the limits of governing with smaller parties more interested in self-preservation than principle.
• 'Their Fate Is Ours': López Obrador Breaks Silence to Rally Mexico Behind Cuba 18.03.2026 57мин

  In episode 100 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth mark the milestone by reflecting on two years of covering Mexican politics, and the episode is packed with analysis fitting the occasion.The hosts lead with the renewed solidarity campaign for Cuba, sparked by former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador emerging from retirement to launch a fundraising drive for the island. They unpack the significance of this gesture, the disinformation campaigns it triggered, and the broader context of U.S. pressure on Cuba, including Donald Trump's recent threats to "take Cuba" one way or another.Next, they examine a joint statement from Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East; a modest but notable step toward coordinated progressive diplomacy. The discussion connects the dots to escalating U.S. military actions in Ecuador and the ongoing catastrophe in Iran, arguing that Latin America cannot afford to be passive while imperialist aggression spreads.The episode also covers the defeat of Morena's electoral reform in the lower house and the announcement of a Plan B, exposing the self-interested maneuvers of coalition partners and the challenges of governing with smaller parties more concerned with patronage than principle.Finally, Losers and Haters takes aim at Grupo Fórmula radio host Azucena Uresti's predictable meltdown over López Obrador's reappearance, a fitting reminder of the media dynamics that helped launch this podcast 100 episodes ago.
• Trump's Sham Summit: US Gathers Right-Wing Regional Leaders to Push Military Intervention 11.03.2026 59мин

  In episode 99 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth examine the so-called "Shield of the Americas" summit in Miami—a gathering of right-wing leaders representing barely a fifth of the region's population. The hosts break down why Mexico wasn't invited despite high levels of security cooperation, what the exclusion of Brazil and Colombia reveals, and why Under Secretary Christopher Landau's comments in India about blocking development should worry every country in the Global South.Next, they turn to a rare bright spot: Mexico's ambitious housing program, which is refinancing predatory loans and building 1.8 million new homes with zero-interest mortgages for low-income families. The hosts discuss why this policy is finally getting international attention and what it says about building a welfare state from the ashes of neoliberalism.Finally, they provide a security update following the death of El Mencho. Contrary to the apocalyptic predictions and disinformation campaigns that flooded social media, homicide numbers continue their downward trend—proof that intelligence and social policy can work better than sensationalism and fear. And as always, Loser and Haters, which looks at the worst take Trump's sham summit.
• Iran's Existential Fight: Lessons for Latin America 04.03.2026 59мин

  In episode 98 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth analyze the widening global conflict following the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran and its implications for Mexico and Latin America.The episode leads with the U.S. attack on Iran, examining how the widespread destruction done in Gaza is being applied to Tehran while the international community stands by. The hosts connect the dots to Latin America, warning client states that U.S. "protection" evaporates when interests shift—a lesson from the Gulf region now playing out in real time.Next, they break down Morena's electoral reform, explaining how it would actually reduce the ruling party's power by eliminating backdoor seats for political opportunists aka "chapulines" and give more voice to voters, including migrants abroad. The reform has sparked rare pushback from coalition partners, revealing the tension between principle and political patronage.Finally, a rare good news story: Mexico's Supreme Court traveled to Indigenous territory for the first time to grant self-governance rights to a Chiapas community, breathing life into constitutional reforms decades in the making. It's a small victory for autonomy in a world increasingly defined by war.
• Mexico Takes Down El Mencho: Fake News War Erupts Online 25.02.2026 58мин

  In episode 97 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth dissect the fallout from the Mexican military's operation that killed Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera, leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel.The hosts break down what actually happened versus the torrent of disinformation that flooded social media: from AI-generated images of cities in flames to wild claims of U.S. agents strangling the kingpin mid-flight. They examine why the narrative spun so quickly out of control, who benefits from painting Mexico as ungovernable, and the real story behind the cartel's retaliatory actions.The episode also covers the US Supreme Court's tariff ruling that struck down Trump's emergency powers, its implications for Mexico's leverage in USMCA talks, and what it means for the ongoing pressure campaign against Cuba.With their signature blend of on-the-ground knowledge and sharp analysis, José Luis and Kurt separate fact from fiction in a week dominated by fake news, while honoring the 25 National Guard members who lost their lives in the aftermath.
• Mexico Says NO to Trump's 'Board of Peace': Sheinbaum Won't Join Without Palestine at Table 18.02.2026 59мин

  In episode 96 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth examine Mexico's balancing act between defending its principles and navigating relentless pressure from the United States.The episode opens with Mexico's rejection of Trump's "Board of Peace" over the exclusion of Palestine—a principled stand that signals a more independent foreign policy. The hosts then unpack encouraging OECD data showing rising trust in Mexican institutions and low unemployment, challenging the bleak narrative pushed by domestic and international critics.The conversation turns to the ongoing Cuba crisis, where Kurt's recent Jacobin article frames the Sheinbaum administration's difficult position: wanting to send oil to Cuba but facing the threat of U.S. military escalation. The hosts dissect the asymmetry of power and the limits of solidarity when a nuclear-armed empire patrols the Caribbean.Finally, they take aim at Denise Dresser in Losers and Haters for dismissing Salma Hayek's support of new efforts to support Mexico's film industry—a perfect example of elite punditry detached from reality.