Soberanía: The Mexican Politics Podcast

Soberanía Podcast
  • 4.9 (64)
  • Politics
  • Updated Weekly

Soberanía: The Mexican Politics Podcast brings you news and analysis about Mexico from a grassroots and leftist perspective, helping English-language audiences better understand the country, its politics and players.

  1. 1d ago

    Mexico Stands Up to the U.S. on its Independence Day

    In episode 124 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth celebrate Mexican Independence Day by examining the many fronts on which Mexico must defend its sovereignty today.The episode opens with a reflection on the meaning of independence in 2026 — not as a hollow ritual but as a daily practice. The hosts break down six dimensions of sovereignty: economic (control over resources and trade), security (rejecting DEA/CIA operations), diplomatic (the right to relations with Cuba, China, Iran), digital (data and platform regulation), cultural (language and media ownership), and informational (combating foreign disinformation). They note that sovereignty is not a one-time achievement but a permanent struggle.The conversation then turns to a leaked State Department document, reported by News Nation, claiming a majority of Mexicans support U.S. military intervention against cartels. The hosts dismantle the "poll" — no named firm, no methodology — and connect it to a broader effort to manufacture consent for unilateral U.S. action. They contrast it with a recent El Financiero poll showing 78% of Mexicans reject intervention. This is a dangerous psy-op, they argue, aimed at legitimizing what would be a catastrophic violation of Mexican sovereignty.Next, they examine Marco Rubio's Latin America tour, where he visited U.S.-born puppets in Ecuador and Colombia, threatened to "blow up ships if need be," and claimed vast territories in Mexico are "not governed by the state." The episode also looks at a suspicious "pro-Palestine" march in Mexico City's Polanco neighborhood, where participants chanted antisemitic slogans and held the Palestinian flag upside down. The hosts, who have attended many authentic Palestine solidarity marches, identify this as an astroturf provocation designed to smear the movement, criminalize anti-Zionism, and sow division — part of a broader Zionist effort to gain a foothold in Latin America as Israel loses support in the West.Losers and Haters takes aim at Aristegui Noticias for amplifying the bogus News Nation report as "breaking news." They also mock former DEA administrator Derek Maltz for citing a Twitter poll from a notorious charlatan as evidence that Mexicans want U.S. special forces to arrest their politicians.

    Mexico Stands Up to the U.S. on its Independence Day

  2. Sep 9

    Mexico Turns to China as U.S. Threats Mount

    In episode 123 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth cover Mexico's foreign minister Roberto Velasco's visit to China, where Beijing reaffirmed its support for Mexico's sovereignty and opposition to foreign interference — a clear signal as Mexico seeks to diversify its relationships amid U.S. pressure. The hosts argue that with the U.S.-Canada trade war escalating (including unprecedented product bans), Mexico cannot afford to remain dependent on a single partner, especially as the U.S. declines technologically while China leads.Next, they break down the 2027 economic package, which avoids raising taxes on the wealthy and instead targets tax evasion through fake invoicing (the "factureras") and pushes for a digital economy with reduced cash use. While the hosts support going after tax cheats, they question the plan's reliance on private banks — which charge exorbitant fees — instead of strengthening the state-run Banco de Bienestar. They also highlight the real culprit behind weak investment: Trump's instability, not Mexico's policies, and note that foreign direct investment remains at record highs.The episode then examines a suspicious document published by Televisa's investigative unit, allegedly showing Senator Julieta Ramírez seeking a cooperation deal with the U.S. Justice Department. The hosts point out multiple red flags: the document is in Spanish without an accompanying English version, has no signatures, and Televisa didn't contact Ramírez or the DOJ for comment. They suspect either journalistic incompetence or a deliberate smear against a rising Morena politician from a border state.Losers and Haters takes aim at Fox News for hyping the Pentagon's downing of "cartel drones" as a justification for lethal military action — when Mexican officials have clarified these are commercial surveillance drones used for migrant trafficking, not weapons. The hosts see this as part of a deliberate campaign to build public support for unilateral U.S. military strikes in Mexico.

    Mexico Turns to China as U.S. Threats Mount

  3. Sep 2

    Sheinbaum’s Second State of the Union: Why It Matters

    In episode 122 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth break down Claudia Sheinbaum's second State of the Union address — a sweeping accounting of progress that reveals a government entering a new phase.The episode opens with a detailed look at the informe, from the 51% drop in homicides to the recovery of the minimum wage (up 154% in real terms since 2018), to the expansion of social programs including the women's pension at age 60 and the "Salud Casa por Casa" home-visit health program. The hosts note the contrast with U.S. State of the Union speeches: in Mexico, the focus is on granular policy achievements and state-led development — housing, rail networks, new universities — rather than tax cuts and military spending. Sheinbaum's approval remains at 69-70%, a testament to the government's continuity and delivery.Next, they examine the proposed constitutional reform to bar dual citizens from holding the presidency or state governorships. The hosts dismantle the hissy fits from figures like Carlos Jiménez and Ricardo Salinas Pliego — the latter of whom inadvertently admitted his own dual nationality by objecting. They argue the reform is a sensible measure in an era of U.S. interventionism, especially given examples like Daniel Noboa and Gustavo Petro's successor in Colombia, who openly prioritize Washington over their own capitals.The conversation then turns to the controversial U.S.-Venezuela oil deal. The hosts cut through the hyperbolic declarations of a "sellout" to examine the nuanced reality: contracts signed under coercion are legally invalid; the oil fields require years and billions in investment; and both sides are hedging — with Rubio claiming it's not really a deal with the government, and Chavista legislators calling the contracts illegitimate. They caution against declaring the death of the Bolivarian Revolution while the organized working class continues to resist.Losers and Haters takes aim at Código Magenta, which published a sensationalist article claiming Sheinbaum suffered a "stress-related crisis" before her speech — with zero sources, no attribution, and nothing to back it up. The hosts argue this kind of lazy fabrication is why trust in media is collapsing, and why audience rights legislation is urgently needed.

    Sheinbaum’s Second State of the Union: Why It Matters

  4. Aug 26

    Embattled Sinaloa Governor Returns and Leaves Office Again (In One Weekend)

    In episode 121 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth open with the return and swift departure of Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya, who briefly reclaimed his office after 112 days on leave — only to face blistering criticism from President Sheinbaum and his own party. The hosts unpack the onion-like layers of the Sinaloa case: the bitter university rivalry between Rocha and his slain rival Héctor Melesio Cuen, the internal cartel war between the Chapitos and Mayitos the opaque role of the U.S. government, and the politically timed indictment that conveniently distracted from the Chihuahua CIA scandal. They argue the U.S. is using the case to destabilize Mexico ahead of the 2027 midterms.Next, they examine the collapse of U.S.-Canada trade talks and what it means for Mexico. With Canada walking away from the negotiating table and imposing retaliatory tariffs, the hosts see a golden opportunity for Mexico to stand firm — since the U.S. can't afford a trade war on two fronts. They contrast Canada's consumer boycott of U.S. products with the Mexican right's slavish devotion to American imports.The conversation then returns to the Cerimedo affair, the far-right operative arrested in Bolivia for allegedly masterminding an assassination attempt on his pregnant ex-partner. The hosts connect the dots between Cerimedo, Javier Negre, Ricardo Salinas Pliego, and the wider network of MAGA-linked consultants — including Brad Parscale and the Miami-based lobbyists who are paid by Mexican taxpayer dollars to undermine Mexico's own government. They warn that while Cerimedo may be down, the infrastructure that enabled him remains intact.Losers and Haters takes aim at Bloomberg for publishing a video claiming investors are treating Mexican debt like junk — despite Mexico's strong economic fundamentals. The hosts argue this is part of a coordinated campaign to pressure Mexico into privatizing its energy sector, with ratings agencies serving as weapons of financial blackmail.

    Embattled Sinaloa Governor Returns and Leaves Office Again (In One Weekend)

  5. Aug 19

    Arrest of Trump-linked Operator Reveals Seamy Underworld of Latin American Far Right

    In episode 120 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth open with the arrest of Fernando Cerimedo, a far-right political operative tied to Javier Milei, Rodrigo Paz of Bolivia, and Honduras's Tito Asfura. Cerimedo was detained in Bolivia after his ex-partner — who was pregnant with his child — survived an assassination attempt. The hosts explore how this case exposes the interconnected web of far-right consultants, CIA-linked operatives, and disinformation networks that have been instrumental in installing right-wing governments across Latin America.Next, they examine the U.S. instrumentalization of visa cancellations as a political weapon, from the revocation of Andrés Manuel López Beltrán's visa to broader pressure campaigns against left-wing officials across the region. The hosts contrast this with the worrisome image of Mexico's security chief smiling alongside DEA head Terry Cole, the same official who has accused the Mexican government of being aligned with drug cartels.The episode also covers the ongoing ICE brutality against Mexican migrants, including the case of José Mejía Hernández, who was brutally beaten and tasered during a detention in Virginia.Losers and Haters takes aim at the PAN's pathetic Photoshop of Andrés Manuel López Beltrán's face onto Nicolás Maduro's body; a transparent attempt to smear the former president's son while openly advocating for the kind of U.S. military intervention that has already kidnapped a sitting head of state. The hosts also call out self-styled "investigative journalist" Peniley Ramírez for amplifying unsubstantiated rumors without any corroboration, noting that the Attorney General's Office has already dismissed her claims as false.

    Arrest of Trump-linked Operator Reveals Seamy Underworld of Latin American Far Right

  6. Aug 13

    Ayotzinapa Back in Spotlight: Progress in Case of Missing 43 Students After Major Arrest

    In episode 119 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth cover the long-awaited development in the case of the forcibly disappeared 43 Ayotzinapa students with the arrest of former Guerrero Governor Ángel Aguirre Rivero. While the hosts welcome this development, they note that the investigation remains stalled by stonewalling, and that the National Human Rights Commission's recent report effectively exonerated the armed forces, drawing fierce protests from victims' families and activists.Next, they dissect the State Department's extraordinary five-minute video glorifying the Monroe Doctrine, openly celebrating U.S. "dominance" over the hemisphere and even taking credit for Mexico's defeat of the Habsburg monarchy (which was actually achieved by Benito Juárez and the Mexican people). The hosts argue this "saying the quiet part out loud" moment reveals what U.S. policy has always been: not cooperation, but imperial domination.The conversation then turns to South America. They run down Colombian President Abelardo de la Espirella's first days in office — a whirlwind of embarrassing behavior, recognizing Israel's claim to the Golan Heights, backing out of the Belt and Road Initiative, and refusing earthquake aid — before noting positive developments: Mexico's foreign minister met with Lula in Brazil, diplomatic relations with Peru have been restored, and Argentina saw mass protests against Milei's plan to sell off national territory to foreign interests.Losers and Haters takes aim once again at PRI president Alejandro Moreno, who traveled to Washington to request U.S. sanctions against Mexican electoral officials — yet another embarrassing display of a "vendepatria" begging for foreign intervention while corruption investigations close in on him at home.

    Ayotzinapa Back in Spotlight: Progress in Case of Missing 43 Students After Major Arrest

  7. Aug 5

    Exposing Mexican Media's Bogus 'Censorship' Claims

    In episode 118 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth dive into Mexico's new audience rights legislation — a constitutional reform originally passed in 2013 under Peña Nieto that requires broadcasters to have a code of ethics, an ombudsman, and a mechanism for audience reply. The hosts dismantle the corporate media's "censorship" narrative, noting that the law applies only to concessionaires of the public airwaves, does not regulate content, and merely gives audiences a voice against the kind of weaponized misinformation that corporate media has wielded for decades. They also provide an update on Canal Once, retaken by workers after a two-month student occupation, and argue the students, while having legitimate grievances about the polytechnic, chose the wrong target and damaged public access to information.Next, they examine the UNAM admissions fiasco, where an online exam administered by a private contractor produced anomalous results — with perfect scores skyrocketing 450% in some programs. The hosts connect the exam furor to broader structural issues: the privileged "golden caste" running the UNAM, the exploitation of precarious adjunct professors paid 120 pesos an hour, and the need for systemic reform.The conversation then turns to the escalating diplomatic dispute between Brazil and the U.S., where Washington has revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador after Lula blocked two U.S. officials from entering the country — officials Brazil believes were planning to undermine confidence in its electoral system. Kurt and José Luis argue this is a necessary act of defiance against a pattern of U.S. election interference seen across the region.Losers and Haters takes aim at Nexus magazine, which published a grotesque defense of Israel's genocide in Gaza, complete with racist tropes about Palestinian children being "future martyrs." The hosts note the sad state of Mexico's cultural journalism — where the only remaining magazines are either genocidal apologists or hollowed-out shells.

    Exposing Mexican Media's Bogus 'Censorship' Claims

  8. Jul 29

    Live Long and Prosper: Mexico Beats Vulcan Materials at World Bank Court

    In episode 117 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth cover a rare legal victory for Mexico, the ongoing occupation of Canal Once, and the latest tariff theatrics from Washington.The episode opens with Mexico's decisive win at the World Bank's ICSID tribunal against Vulcan Materials. The U.S. company had demanded $1.7 billion in compensation after Mexico closed its limestone quarrying operations in Quintana Roo, the tribunal awarded Vulcan less than 1% of what it sought. The hosts break down the long history of the case: how the original concession was granted illegally under de la Madrid, extended under Salinas, and how AMLO spent years trying to negotiate before finally declaring the area a protected natural zone. U.S. Congress even passed a bill to retaliate against Mexico, which now looks absurd after the ruling.Next, they turn to the student occupation of Canal Once, Mexico's premier public television station. While the students' grievances about educational conditions are legitimate, the hosts argue the occupation has long since lost its way. The occupiers, a tiny group of perhaps five students, have shut down the station entirely and are now threatening irreplaceable archives. The hosts contrast this with the 2006 Oaxaca uprising, where protesters took over a TV station to broadcast their message; here, they've occupied the station but refuse to use it, raising questions about who might benefit from keeping a critical public broadcaster off the air.Finally, they look at Trump's latest tariff announcement, where Mexico once again comes out the relative winner.Losers and Haters takes aim at Argentine President Javier Milei who blamed Mexico, Brazil, and the U.S. Democratic Party for recent criticism of Argentina.

    Live Long and Prosper: Mexico Beats Vulcan Materials at World Bank Court
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Soberanía: The Mexican Politics Podcast brings you news and analysis about Mexico from a grassroots and leftist perspective, helping English-language audiences better understand the country, its politics and players.

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