Leaked audios expose articulation against left-wing governments in AL

A series of leaked audios published by the portal Hondurasgate and the Spanish newspaper EL PAÍS opened a new political crisis in Latin America by exposing an alleged international coordination involving sectors of the extreme right from the United States, Israel, Honduras and Argentina to attack progressive governments in the region.

The recordings, attributed to former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández (JOH), mention plans to create a disinformation structure aimed mainly against the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, and the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro.

According to research published by the Spanish newspaper EL PAÍS, Hernández would have articulated, from the United States, the creation of a news website aimed at disseminating content against left-wing Latin American governments.

In the audios, the former Honduran president states that the project would have the support of republican sectors linked to US President Donald Trump, in addition to financial support from Argentine President Javier Milei.

Hernández states in one of the conversations that he needed US$150,000 to set up an office in North American territory.

The aim would be to operate a US-based “information cell” to avoid tracking in Honduras. According to the material released, the structure would focus on producing content against former Honduran president Manuel Zelaya, against former president Xiomara Castro and also against the governments of Mexico and Colombia.

In one of the excerpts released, Hernández tells the current Honduran president, Nasry Asfura, that he had had a “very good” conversation with Milei and that it would be possible to “do great things for all of Latin America”.

The former president also states that “expedients” would be prepared — a reference to dossiers or political attack campaigns — against Mexico, Colombia and members of the Zelaya family, a political group linked to the Honduran left.

The audios also mention alleged Argentine financial support. According to Hernández, Milei contributed US$350,000 to the operation. In another conversation attributed to the former Honduran president and the vice president of Honduras, María Antonieta Mejía, he talks about the need to gather resources “to attack and eradicate the cancer of the left” in Honduras and other Latin American countries.

What is “Hondurasgate”

The case came to be called “Hondurasgate” by the vehicles that published the recordings. The material would have been extracted from applications such as WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram and would bring together conversations recorded between January and April 2026.

According to those responsible for the investigation, the 37 audio files underwent forensic analysis using the Phonexia Voice Inspector system, a tool used by intelligence agencies, banks and security forces in several countries.

To date, there is no independent confirmation from judicial authorities regarding the complete authenticity of the material.

Even so, the case gained strong political repercussions as it involved accusations of international interference, clandestine political financing and transnational articulation of the Latin American extreme right.

The investigation also draws attention to the role attributed to Hernández, convicted in the United States of drug trafficking.

The former Honduran president governed the country between 2014 and 2022 for the National Party and was sentenced in 2024 to 45 years in prison for association with drug traffickers responsible for sending hundreds of tons of cocaine to the USA.

He was also accused of receiving bribes from Mexican drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

According to the audios released, the pardon granted by Trump to Hernández was not just a political gesture. In one of the leaked excerpts, the former Honduran president states that “the forgiveness money” would have come from “a board of rabbis and people who supported Israel”.

At another point, Hernández says that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had direct participation in the negotiations that led to his release.

Sheinbaum denounces international fake news network

The Mexican president publicly reacted to the scandal during her morning press conference this Wednesday (7).

Without directly mentioning names, Sheinbaum stated that there is an international far-right network articulated between groups in Spain, the United States and Argentina to disseminate disinformation campaigns against the Mexican government.

The president also made an indirect reference to the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, who is visiting Mexico. According to Sheinbaum, these groups “don’t like Mexican humanism” and try to build political erosion campaigns against progressive governments.

“They will be able to set up a dirty campaign office against our government in Honduras, with resources from friendly people. There will be no impact,” said the Mexican president.

Sheinbaum added that his government’s political project will not be undermined by disinformation operations and reiterated the defense of Mexican sovereignty in the face of external pressure.

Regional crisis and tension with Washington

The revelations come at a time of strong diplomatic tension between Mexico and the United States.

The Trump administration once again increased pressure on the neighboring country with accusations of links between Mexican authorities and drug trafficking, in addition to reiterating threats of more aggressive actions against Mexican cartels.

The case also occurs amid deteriorating relations between Washington and the Colombian government of Gustavo Petro. Despite recent attempts at diplomatic rapprochement, disagreements persist over security policies, the fight against drug trafficking and regional sovereignty.

The repercussions of Hondurasgate expand the debate on political influence operations, the use of digital networks for disinformation campaigns and the role of governments and international groups in the Latin American geopolitical dispute.