Soberanía: The Mexican Politics Podcast

What does Trump’s victory in the US presidential elections mean for the Mexico-US bilateral relationship? President Claudia Sheinbaum has her answer. In this week’s episode, co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth look at the implications of another Trump presidency for Mexico, as well as the groveling response by the Mexican opposition. Plus a discussion on lessons from Mexico as people finally turn their gaze south to try to discover what policies are working to win more support for Morena. As well as a look at the new (corruption-stained) leader of the National Action Party and Mexico’s efforts to bring about food sovereignty.

A repost of our special live episode on Nov. 5 to discuss the coup effort by the Mexican Supreme Court, which failed to overturn the Constitution, as well as a conversation on the US Election and its implications for Mexico. In this episode, co-hosts Jose Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth were joined by Sin Censura's J. Antonio Ruiz.

It’s fun watching Mexican oligarchs get their comeuppance. This week Soberanía podcast co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth discuss the fall of Televisa Chairman Emilio Azcárraga Jean and the problems facing TV Azteca. We also break down the miscarriage of justice being attempted against an underage victim in Querétario by state Attorney General Víctor Antonio Jesús Hernández. Plus, you won’t be surprised to learn that Kurt and José Luis agreed with President Sheinbaum when she recently called Claudio X. González a “toxic failson”. And in the Losers and Haters, we mock Ryan Berg and academics like him who treat their own analysis as sacrosanct despite the fact they’re actively advancing the interests of US imperialism.

One judge in Mexico thinks she can overrule 36 million voters, ordering the president to unpublish the recently approved judicial reform and threatening to jail President Claudia Sheinbaum if she does not listen! Of course she doesn’t have the power to do so but her threats speak to the undemocratic attitude of the opposition and their allies. Soberanía podcast co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth also talk about the 38-year prison sentence for Felipe Calderon´s security head Genaro García Luna; as well as Donald Trump’s lies about Chinese automakers in Mexico. Kurt and José Luis also discuss Sheinbaum’s plans to build 1 million units of housing and her government’s efforts to improve children’s health. In our Losers and Haters section we talk about shallow, right-wing criticisms of Sheinbaum’s foreign policy.

Tired of US Ambassador Ken Salazar running around Mexico like he owns the place, President Claudia Sheinbaum put a short leash on him, ordering the US diplomat to refrain from accessing her cabinet members directly and instead requesting meetings through the Foreign Affairs Secretariat, as it should be. Soberanía podcast co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth also discuss Antonio Garci Nieto, the reactionary cartoonist, and his cry of victimhood after Senator Andrea Chávez decided to proceed with charges after he shared a gross digitally altered photo. Plus, Kurt and José Luis dream of one day owning the Olinia, a made-in-Mexico EV; and in Losers and Haters, we make fun of David Frum, who always merits ridicule, doesn’t matter when you read this.

In our last episode we wondered what would be President Claudia Sheinbaum’s first crisis, well we didn’t have to wait long. In her first week, the newly inaugurated Mexican president has had to face security challenges, the impact of hurricanes, and a coup plot by the Supreme Court of Justice. In the latest episode of the Soberanía podcast co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth discuss Sheinbaum’s efforts to tackle the many challenges facing Mexico. Plus we introduce a new segment: Good News from Mexico. As always, bring you the Losers and Haters, this week we pick on a writer from the pro-billionaire American Institute for Economic Research.

Mexico has a new president: Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. In this latest episode, co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth go over her first speeches as president on Oct 1, first in the Congress and later in Mexico City’s Zócalo, where the president outlined her 100-point agenda to a roaring and enthusiastic crowd. Plus, the mañaneras (daily morning press conferences by the president) are here to stay! Kurt and José Luis chat about Sheinbaum’s own touch on this critical communications exercise. And in our Loser and Haters section, we discuss the NED-funded Journal of Democracy’s latest attack on Mexican democracy.

From storming the Senate Chamber to attacking elected officials out in public, supporters of the political right in Mexico are increasingly turning to extreme forms of protest. In this latest episode, co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth analyze this worrisome trend and compare the opposition’s disarray to Morena’s stability, having just organized the party’s congress that saw a new leadership elected. Plus we listen to Claudia Sheinbaum’s last speech before becoming president and look into a CIA agent’s gross and abusive behavior while he was stationed in Mexico and what it says about the sense of impunity of these agents while working abroad for US agencies.

In the face of the defeat, Mexico’s political opposition is taking desperate measures. They have dragged out former neoliberal President Ernesto Zedillo (of the corrupt PRI) to speak out against the Judicial Reform. Co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth discuss this and the opposition’s virtual collapse after yet another loss, as well as the symbolism of AMLO signing the decree officially modifying the Constitution on September 15, Mexican Independence Day. In our Losers and Haters section, we look at a recently launched international campaign to discredit Mexican democracy and the Fourth Transformation.

Soberanía takes a deep dive into Morena’s Judicial Reform. Co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth start by providing an overview of what the constitutional reform actually intends to accomplish. We also talk about the unhinged response by some members of the opposition to the push to approve the reform; as well as a response to the Washington Post by two of Claudia Sheinbaum’s incoming cabinet members. Plus, Supreme Court President Norma Piña finally leaves the comfort of her office and joins the protests (for about 5 minutes). In our Losers and Haters section: the Mexican Winter Palace has fallen and the Bolsheviks led by Marxist-Leninist Sheinbaum threaten to destroy bourgeois democracy!

Morena did it. Their presence in the Senate has risen to 85 after two defections from the moribund PRD. In this episode Soberanía co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth ask what Morena's Supermajority means for Mexico and the deepening of the Fourth Transformation? Plus a report back from our participation in the 1st Continental Gathering of Independent Communicators held in Mexico City, as well as our on-the-ground coverage of President López Obrador’s final state of the union address. We also look at the latest on Ovidio Guzmán's whereabouts; and our Losers and Haters section looks at one foreign correspondent’s outright dishonesty.

After repeatedly interfering in Mexico’s internal affairs, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador told US Ambassador Ken Salazar to keep his nose out of the country’s business. In this episode Soberanía co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth discuss Salazar’s inappropriate comments on the judicial reform that is being debated in Congress. Plus a look at Mexico’s fringe opposition and their participation in the CPAC Mexico conference alongside an AI Ronald Reagan. Kurt and José Luis also provide an update on the opposition’s failed efforts to stop Morena’s supermajority. And as always, in our Loser and Haters segment, we look at the Washington Post’s editorial arguing that the US is right (!!) to interfere in Mexico’s internal affairs.

Is the United States backing the Mexican opposition via the NED and the US Embassy’s funding of the NGO “Mexicanos Contra la Corruption y la Impunidad”? A new report from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggests the CIA cutout National Endowment for Democracy says Mexico is “major target country for infiltration” and US funding bothered President Andres Manuel López Obrador so much that he sent a diplomatic letter to Joe Biden. Soberanía co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth breakdown how the US uses NGOs to promote regime change against leftist governments. Plus an update on constitutional reforms that will see fracking and open-pit mining banned in Mexico and of course news on the hotly debated judicial reform. Kurt and also José Luis also have a discussion on the attempted illegal detention of former Chihuahua Governor Javier Corral. Finally, in our Losers and Haters section, we look at Andrés Oppenheimer’s rehashed column on Claudia Sheinbaum’s upcoming inauguration.

Mexico’s Morena-led government continues to push ahead to fulfill the mandate delivered by the voters, Soberanía co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth discuss the country’s historic debt to Indigenous and afro-descendant peoples and the approval of a monumental (and long overdue) constitutional reform that would make Indigenous communities the subjects of rights under the constitution, grant their traditional governance standing in the law, and the right to decide what activities occur in their territories. Plus at the start of the show, a conversation on yet another own goal by the Mexican political opposition, despite being highly publicized, the “Marea Rosa” rally had a poor turnout, inadvertently revealing their declining relevance. Kurt and José Luis also give an update on the Mayo Zambada case and in our Loser and Haters section we take down yet another effort to label AMLO an “autocrat” from yet another ITAM alum.

Voters delivered a strong mandate to Claudia Sheinbaum who promised to build the “second floor” of the Fourth Transformation of Mexico, and deepen progressive changes. Morena and its allies in Congress are already quickly moving to deliver but the opposition wants to change the rules of the game after the final whistle. In this episode, Soberanía co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth discuss Morena’s moves to push forward progressive constitutional reforms on housing, the minimum wages, social programs and more. Plus the latest on the situation in Venezuela and President López Obrador’s positive role defending sovereignty in the region in the face of aggression; as well as a brief update on Mexico’s diplomatic dispute with Ecuador.

One of the most notorious drug traffickers has been caught. In this episode, Soberanía co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth discuss who wins and who loses as a result and ask: what's behind the capture of El mayo Zambada? Plus a discussion about Ricardo Salinas Pliego’s effort to muzzle independent journalists. And in the second half of the show Kurt and José Luis discuss the recent presidential election in Venezuela and the parallels with Mexico. Finally, in our Losers and Haters section, we talk about Gabriel Zaid’s patronizing column.

Mexico’s opposition parties want the courts to give them what they could not win at the ballot box! Soberanía co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth look into efforts to steal Morena’s legislative supermajority through electoral lawfare. Plus a discussion on the right-wing PAN’s confession of what we always knew all along, they are opposed to social programs and would have canceled them had they won. Finally, Kurt and José Luis spend some extra time in our Loser and Haters section breaking down Tim Golden’s latest DEA-sourced hit piece in ProPublica.

In view of Trump surviving an assassination attempt, what are the potential consequences of a second Donald Trump presidency for Mexico? Soberanía co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth look at plans laid out by the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 and a policy paper from the pro-MAGA Center for Renewing America and warn that efforts to trample on Mexico’s sovereignty, and even an invasion, might be around the corner. Kurt and José Luis also provide an update on Morena’s overhaul of the judiciary and new tariffs on Chinese metals routed through Mexico. And in our Loser and Haters section, we look at greenwashing propaganda from The Guardian that dismisses the country’s efforts to secure energy sovereignty.

We’re back! In this episode we dive into the criminal investigation into dubious financing of anti-AMLO media outlet Latinus, which far from being a reputable news organization, is instead a propaganda outfit created to attack President López Obrador and his political movement. But where does their money come from? Kurt Hackbarth and José Luis Granados Ceja also discuss two controversies inside Morena, one involving Sergio Mayer and the other Gerardo Fernández Noroña. Plus a look at President-elect Sheinbaum's cabinet picks. And as always, the Loser and Haters of the week, looking at a hit piece from NACLA.

In this special co-production with the Democratic Constitution Podcast, Soberanía co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth join Luke Pickrell to discuss Morena’s efforts to move quickly on their massive mandate and approve Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s proposed constitutional reforms, including the controversial effort to radically change Mexico’s judicial branch of government, and why these proposed changes can cement AMLO’s progressive legacy.

Soberanía co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth discuss the negative reaction by international financial markets to Claudia Sheinbaum’s intention to follow through on her party’s mandate and pursue constitutional reforms. Plus a conversation on the efforts to paint Morena’s supermajority in Congress as undemocratic. And in our last segment, Kurt and José Luis criticize the ultra-left take on the election by outlets such as Ojalá.

Soberanía co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth review the results from Sunday’s election that saw Claudia Sheinbaum make history by becoming Mexico’s first woman president. Elected on a left-wing program promising to deepen the political transformation started by outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, her victory has provoked the ire of Mexico’s right-wing elites and intellectuals, who once again have failed to grasp why voters chose to elect Morena and give them a super-majority in the Congress. Plus in our Losers and Haters section, we encourage our viewers to contact AP and let them know you’re tired of their biased coverage.

In our last episode before the June 2 election, Soberanía co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth evaluate the opposition’s failed strategy in this presidential campaign that never came close to threatening Morena’s massive lead. Now with mere days to go, Claudia Sheinbaum looks set to secure a landslide victory. Plus our Losers and Haters section of the show where we mock Andres Oppenheimer’s rant in the Miami Herald.

Soberanía co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth discuss Mexican Supreme Court President Norma Piña outrageous interference in the country’s political process, her secret meetings with the opposition, and her unbecoming messages to colleagues. Kurt and José Luis also look at Xóchitl Gálvez’ poor performance in the third and final presidential debate and the underwhelming “Marea Rosa” rally, whose organizers finally gave up any appearance of nonpartisanship. In our Losers and Haters section of the show, we criticize Denise Dresser’s rehashed and uncompelling argument about the so-called “authoritarian regression” under President Andres Manuel López Obrador.

Soberanía co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth break down efforts by the US Drug Enforcement Agency, with the help of their old media ally ProPublica, to once again attempt to interfere in the Mexican election. Kurt and José Luis also analyze the grassroots efforts by university students to hold a mock election. In our regular segment going over bad press coverage, we finally catch up with Enrique Krauze and criticize his horrible piece in the Financial Times. For more on ProPublica's embarrassing report on AMLO, check out episode 1 of the podcast.

Co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth discuss the scandalous accusation surrounding the head of Mexicanos Contra la Corrupción y la Impunidad, María Amparo Cásar, a right-wing ideologue who has endlessly criticized AMLO yet has skeletons in her own closet and is accused of illegally collecting her ex-husband’s pension to the tune of millions of pesos. Kurt and José Luis also discuss the bribery allegations against US Representative Henry Cuellar, the false news reports on an alleged secret crematorium in Mexico City, and our bad coverage of the week from The Economist.

Co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth analyze the winners and losers of the second presidential debate in Mexico and refute the notion that there’s an unfair playing field in this election. In the second half of the program, Kurt and José Luis breakdown the effort by Mexico City’s electoral watchdog to censor talk about Santiago Taboada’s links to the housing cartel, plus a look at Anabel Hernández’s forthcoming book and her tendency to rely on unnamed sources.

Co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth discuss the debate surrounding AMLO’s efforts to reform Mexico’s neoliberal pension system. Kurt and José Luis also talk about the regional response to Ecuador’s invasion of the Mexican Embassy. Plus an update from the campaign trail in Chiapas and, as always, our regular segment going over bad press coverage, this might be the worst example yet.

Co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth go over opposition presidential candidate Xóchitl Gálvez’s cringe-inducing gaffe where she scorns millions of people who rent their homes in Mexico. In the second half, Kurt and José Luis define lawfare and analyze the campaigns leveled by the country’s conservatives including the latest probe by Supreme Court President Norma Piña against her predecessor Arturo Zaldívar. Finally, we recommend you read José Luis’ recent piece in Al Jazeera instead of this week’s bad piece of the week by Nicolas Medina Mora.

Soberanía podcast co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth take a deep dive into the political persecution of leftists in Ecuador, which led to the embarrassing decision by Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa to violate the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and invade the Mexican Embassy in Quito. Plus a look at recent scandals involving the adult children of opposition presidential candidate Xóchitl Gálvez and as always our segment looking at bad coverage of Mexico where Kurt and José Luis mock Massive Caller’s terrible polling.

Soberanía podcast co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth break down the Mexican opposition’s bizarre efforts to get Mexico’s electoral authority to censor Morena and stop candidates from talking about the right-wing’s opposition to universal social programs. In the second half of the episode, Kurt and José Luis criticize the push by rich tourists and gentrifiers to silence Banda music in Mazatlan. Plus a look at Mexico's water crisis and TV Azteca’s fat-shaming campaign against Citlalli Hernández.

Soberanía podcast co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth analyze Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s interview with “60 Minutes” and the reaction to it both here in Mexico and the US. Plus a look at the opposition’s dirty campaign in Mexico City that staged a false flag protest to drive a wedge between Morena and social movements. As always, we wrap with our regular segment looking at terrible English-language coverage of the country by the mainstream media.

Soberanía podcast co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth evaluate the first ten days of Mexico’s election campaign, looking at Xóchitl Gálvez’s incoherent campaign strategy, trying to be all things to all people. In the second half of the episode, Kurt and José Luis analyze calls by prominent opposition figures for Gálvez to “go negative” against Claudia Sheinbaum and efforts by pundits to convince the public that the opposition will win in Mexico City despite being 20 points behind. Plus our regular segment looking at terrible English-language coverage of the country by the mainstream media.

With the New York Times coming under increased scrutiny following irresponsible coverage in Palestine, co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth breakdown the newspaper's recent efforts to interfere in the Mexican election. In the second half of the episode, Kurt and José Luis look at some of the low-lights from the recent "pro-democracy" rally in the capital, the use of troll centers by the Xochitl Galvez campaign, and expose the Atlas Network's links to the Mexican opposition.

Co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth analyze the intentions behind Mexican opposition presidential candidate Xóchitl Gálvez's trip to the United States. Why did she meet with the Wilson Centre, US State Department and the Organization of American States and ignore Mexican migrants? What effect could her visit have on the June 2 election?

Co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth breakdown absurd allegations published in various news outlets allegedly linking Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's 2006 election campaign to infamous drug trafficking kingpins. What's really behind this clumsy attempt to interfere in the Mexican election?

In our preview episode, co-hosts José Luis Granados Ceja dn Kurt Hackbarth breakdown Lise Digger’s interview with the Baker Institute's Tony Payan in the Texas Observer about Mexico’s upcoming 2024 election, exposing the dishonest framing and outright lies so common in English-language coverage of Mexico. Kurt and José Luis discuss the motivations behind this deceit and set the record straight about President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and his party’s candidate for president Claudia Sheinbaum.