Soberanía: The Mexican Politics Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.