Soberanía: The Mexican Politics Podcast

Soberanía 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.

Soberanía is hosted by journalists José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth. All episodes are posted here but we also encourage you to subscribe at the Youtube channel or Spotify.

Hosts

José Luis Granados Ceja is a journalist and political analyst based in Mexico City. He is a staff writer with Venezuela Analysis, covering regional and international issues, and writes a monthly opinion column for the Mexico Solidarity Project. Follow him on Twitter @granadosceja

Kurt Hackbarth is a writer, playwright, and journalist at Jacobin Magazine and Sentido Común. He is the co-founder of the publishing house Matanga!. Follow him on Twitter @kurthackbarth

  • SOBERANÍA 50: INTERNATIONAL FAR RIGHT FINDS ALLIES IN MEXICO

    SOBERANÍA 50: INTERNATIONAL FAR RIGHT FINDS ALLIES IN MEXICO

    Right-wing politicians in Mexico are working with Mexican oligarch Ricardo Salinas Pliego to build links with the far right, hosting meetings with representatives from Vox, the Atlas Network, and the Fundación Internacional para la Libertad. More…


  • SOBERANÍA 49: PEOPLE POWER AGAINST TRUMP

    SOBERANÍA 49: PEOPLE POWER AGAINST TRUMP

    350,000 people filled Mexico City’s Zocalo to overflowing in a national unity rally to protest Trump’s tariff threats. Plus, recent consitutional reforms on nepotism, reelection measures and a ban on GMO corn, and marches for International Working Women’s Day. More…


  • SOBERANÍA 48: UP YOUR ARANCELES!

    SOBERANÍA 48: UP YOUR ARANCELES!

    Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has responded swiftly to Trump’s tarrifs, labelling his decision as “offensive” and calling for supporters to demonstrate this Sunday in the name of national unity in the face of this attack. More…


  • SOBERANÍA 47: BACK OFF MUSK!

    SOBERANÍA 47: BACK OFF MUSK!

    Elon Musk wants drone strikes in Mexico. Claudia Sheinbaum has responded by proposing two reforms aimed at toughening the defense of sovereignty in the constitution and imposing the harshest penalties on foreigners involved in activities that infringe on Mexican sovereignty. More…


  • SOBERANÍA 46: MEXICO VS THE DEA

    SOBERANÍA 46: MEXICO VS THE DEA

    What are the implications for Mexico of hardliner Terry Cole being nominated to lead the scandal-racked DEA, and analyzing the USAID’s historic role as a soft-power arm of empire. More…


  • SOBERANÍA 45: MEXICO ON A ROLL

    SOBERANÍA 45: MEXICO ON A ROLL

    Mexico wants to become a silicon powerhouse, build a million homes, and defend its sovereignty. We look at Kutzari, National Semiconductor Design Center, housing plans and the development model that is keeping inflation and unemployment down. More…


  • SOBERANÍA 44: ​​SHEINBAUM WINS ROUND ONE

    SOBERANÍA 44: ​​SHEINBAUM WINS ROUND ONE

    Following a successful negotiation by President Claudia Sheinbaum, Trump walked back his executive order imposing 25% tariffs on Mexico. More…


  • Sin muros s01e02: México te abraza

    Sin muros s01e02: México te abraza

    The US is seeking to impose restrictive policies. Mexico faces difficult negotiations and proposes new programs. Alina Duarte, Kurt Hackbarth & José Luis Granados Ceja discuss. More…


  • Katie Halper Show: José Luis Granados Ceja, Greg Grandin & Andalusia Soloff

    Katie Halper Show: José Luis Granados Ceja, Greg Grandin & Andalusia Soloff

    Mexico Solidarity Media’s José Luis Granados Ceja joins the Katie Halper Show to speak about recent Latin American political developments, along with historian Greg Grandin and filmmaker Andalusia Soloff. More…


  • SOBERANÍA 43: ​​SOVEREIGNTY OR SUBMISSION?

    SOBERANÍA 43: ​​SOVEREIGNTY OR SUBMISSION?

    After Colombian President Petro turned back deportation flights over inhumane treatment, Trump threatened to impose tariffs in retaliation, although ultimately backed down. What does this tell us about how Mexico & Latin America need to respond to Trump? More…


  • SOBERANÍA 42: SHEINBAUM REBUFFS TRUMP’S DAY ONE THREATS

    SOBERANÍA 42: SHEINBAUM REBUFFS TRUMP’S DAY ONE THREATS

    Looking at the first actions by the Trump administration and Mexico’s response, including steps the Sheinbaum government is taking to attend to migrants in the face of mass deportations. More…


  • SOBERANÍA 41: SHEINBAUM’S FIRST 100 DAYS

    SOBERANÍA 41: SHEINBAUM’S FIRST 100 DAYS

    José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth discuss Sheinbaum’s leadership of Mexico in this crucial early period, and a conversation on the economic roadmap laid out by the government known as Plan México. More…


  • Will Trump Invade Mexico?

    Will Trump Invade Mexico?

    Dimitri Lascaris in conversation with José Luis Granados Ceja about Trump’s hyper-aggressive foreign policy towards Latin America and its potential to unite opposition to the Monroe Doctrine. More…


  • 2024’s TOP TEN Stories In Mexican Politics: #5-1

    2024’s TOP TEN Stories In Mexican Politics: #5-1

    Special guest, the journalist Sasi Alejandre helps review the biggest stories in Mexican politics that took place in Mexico in 2024, #5 to #1. More…


  • 2024’s TOP TEN Stories In Mexican Politics: #10-6

    2024’s TOP TEN Stories In Mexican Politics: #10-6

    Special guest Sasi Alejandre helps review the biggest stories in Mexican politics that took place in 2024. More…


  • Mexico rejects Trump threats as Ottawa bows to US empire

    Mexico rejects Trump threats as Ottawa bows to US empire

    José Luis Granados Ceja talks to Canadian journalist Yves Engler about the contrasting reactions from the Mexican and Canadian governments to Trump’s tarrif threats. More…


  • Soberanía 39: Stop right there, Uber! New Law Protects Gig Workers

    Soberanía 39: Stop right there, Uber! New Law Protects Gig Workers

    Sheinbaum’s government is granting labor protections and social security to hundreds of thousands of “gig” workers; also on US Ambassador-designate Ron Johnson’s past as a spook for the CIA and as “military advisor” in El Salvador during the civil war and his cozy relationship with Bukele. More…


  • LEFT RECKONING: Why Sheinbaum Won Mexico & Why Kamala Lost

    LEFT RECKONING: Why Sheinbaum Won Mexico & Why Kamala Lost

    Kurt and José Luis join the gringo podcast Left Reckoning once again to underline lessons from the success of AMLO and Claudia Sheinbaum in the wake of Kamala Harris’ loss to Trump. More…


  • Soberanía 38: Mexico Raises Minimum Wage… AGAIN!

    Soberanía 38: Mexico Raises Minimum Wage… AGAIN!

    The minimum wage in Mexico once again sees an above-inflation increase in 2025, former US Ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau’s is promoted to US deputy secretary of state and the Mexican far-right’s recent activity in Argentina and Spain. More…


  • Soberanía 37: Canadian Mines Strip Mexico Bare

    Soberanía 37: Canadian Mines Strip Mexico Bare

    Why is Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau trying to throw Mexico under the bus in the face of tarrif negotiations with Donald Trump and what is the central role played by Canadian mining companies in the Mexico-Canada bilateral relationship? More…