Can't Spell Chihuahua Without CIA: Right-Wing Governor Faces Treason Allegations

Can't Spell Chihuahua Without CIA: Right-Wing Governor Faces Treason Allegations

Author: Soberanía Podcast April 29, 2026 Duration: 58:15

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.


Navigating the complex landscape of Mexican politics requires more than just headlines. Soberanía: The Mexican Politics Podcast offers a distinct entry point, providing consistent news and analysis grounded in a grassroots, leftist perspective. This isn't about distant political commentary; it's about understanding the forces, movements, and people shaping Mexico from the ground up. Each episode digs into the stories behind the news, examining the players and power dynamics that often get lost in translation for English-language audiences. You'll hear discussions that connect policy to everyday life, analyzing developments with a focus on social movements, labor, and community action. The goal is to foster a deeper, more nuanced comprehension of the country beyond conventional narratives. By tuning into this podcast, you gain access to a dedicated space for thoughtful exploration of Mexican current affairs, where analysis is tied directly to the perspectives of those most impacted by political decisions. The Soberanía Podcast serves as a vital resource for anyone looking to move past superficial reporting and engage with the substantive, often overlooked, conversations defining Mexico's present and future.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Soberanía: The Mexican Politics Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Exposing the Astroturf ‘Gen Z’ Protest in Mexico [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:04
How do you do, fellow kids? In this special episode of Soberanía, hosts Kurt Hackbarth and José Luis Granados Ceja lay out the truth behind what was billed as a "youth" march and instead was a by-the-book, attempt at ast…
The Post-Monroe Moment: Mexico and Europe Rewire their Relationship [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:19
This week on Soberanía, Kurt Hackbarth and José Luis Granados Ceja bundle up for a freezing Mexico City episode and break down three stories that reveal where Mexico stands in today’s shifting global politics. First, the…
Mexico's Sheinbaum Condemns US Bombings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:03
In this week's episode of Soberanía, hosts Kurt Hackbarth and José Luis Granados Ceja dive into the Trump administration’s latest round of extrajudicial military assassinations — this time in the Pacific — and Mexico’s r…
Mexico's Right-Wing Opposition Rebrands: Just a Flash in the "PAN" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:11
In this episode of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth unpack the supposed relaunch of Mexico's right-wing party, the PAN: can it really reclaim relevance with the same people peddling the same pr…
The Nobel 'Peace' Prize Farce ...And What It Could Mean for Mexico [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:43
In this week's episode of Soberanía, hosts Kurt Hackbarth and José Luis Granados react to the farcical irony of far-right Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, unpacking her l…
Onshoring Sadism: The US 'War on Terror' Comes to Latin America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:16
This week on Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth break down Washington’s latest escalation as the US declares itself to be in a "non-international armed conflict" with cartels, exploring how it is…
Mexico's Sheinbaum: 'Stop the Genocide in Gaza' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:26
In this week’s episode of Soberanía, hosts Kurt Hackbarth and José Luis Granados Ceja unpack Claudia Sheinbaum’s decision to call Israel’s assault on Gaza a “genocide” for the first time ahead of the UN General Assembly,…