Mexico holds controversial vote to elect judges and magistrates
Supporters of the controversial election believe this is needed to overhaul its judicial system known for corruption and inefficiency.
But critics say the vote will politicize the judiciary in a country plagued by crime and gang violence.
President Claudia Sheinbaum has staunchly defended the decision to hold these elections. The elections were championed by her predecessor and mentor, former president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
"Those who want the regime of corruption and privileges in the judiciary to continue say this election is rigged. Or they also say it's so a political party can take over the Supreme Court. Nothing could be further from the truth," she said in a video message.
Opponents of the vote marched in Mexico City, chanting slogans like "hands off our democracy" and "no to electoral fraud."
"It was the last counterweight we had against the totalitarianism of the executive branch," 58-year-old Ismael Novela told AFP news agency about the judiciary.
Voters had to elect around 880 federal judges — including Supreme Court justices — as well as hundreds of local judges and magistrates. Another election for the remaining judicial positions will be held in 2027.
Turnout appeared to be low as many voters struggled to choose from hundreds of largely unknown candidates.
"We are not very prepared. I think we need more information," Lucia Calderon, a 63-year-old university teacher told AFP.
Some voters said they felt pressurized to vote, while others said they felt disillusioned with the corrupt system.
"I'm not interested (in voting). Parties and their messages — they come and they go. It's all the same," Raul Bernal, a factory worker told the AP news agency.
Rights group Defensorxs said it considered around 20 candidates "high risk," including Silvia Delgado, a former lawyer for the Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mexico sees no reason for US to impose sanctions on airlines
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday the United States has not yet formally notified her government of possible measures against Mexico's airline sector pointing that she sees no reason for the neighboring country to initiate such sanctions. The comments come after the U.S. Department of Transportation said on Saturday it would take action in response to Mexico's decision to cut flight slots and force cargo carriers to relocate operations in Mexico City, affecting U.S. airlines. "There is no reason for Mexico to receive any sanctions for changes made to the capital's airport system," Sheinbaum said in her daily press conference. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement on Saturday that the department may reject new flight requests from Mexican carriers if concerns over airport decisions made in 2022 and 2023 are not addressed. The department would propose withdrawing antitrust immunity granted to Delta Air Lines for its joint venture with Aeromexico to address competitive concerns, according to the statement. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mexico sees no reason for US to impose sanctions on airlines
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday the United States has not yet formally notified her government of possible measures against Mexico's airline sector pointing that she sees no reason for the neighboring country to initiate such sanctions. The comments come after the U.S. Department of Transportation said on Saturday it would take action in response to Mexico's decision to cut flight slots and force cargo carriers to relocate operations in Mexico City, affecting U.S. airlines. "There is no reason for Mexico to receive any sanctions for changes made to the capital's airport system," Sheinbaum said in her daily press conference. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement on Saturday that the department may reject new flight requests from Mexican carriers if concerns over airport decisions made in 2022 and 2023 are not addressed. The department would propose withdrawing antitrust immunity granted to Delta Air Lines for its joint venture with Aeromexico to address competitive concerns, according to the statement. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
New York Times
5 days ago
- New York Times
Trump Has Promised More Tariffs on Mexico. What Happens Next?
Days after he threatened to impose a 30 percent tariff on Mexico over what he said was its failure to stop drug cartels, President Trump doubled down on Wednesday, accusing the country's politicians of being controlled by those cartels. The cartels have 'very strong controls over Mexico,' he said while signing an act regarding fentanyl. He added later, 'Can't let that happen. The Mexican authorities are petrified to go to work because the cartels have a tremendous grip on Mexico and the politicians.' Mexican officials have been negotiating for months with the United States in hopes of staving off further damage to their country's export-driven economy. But those efforts — and their work to address Mr. Trump's concerns about cartels and migration — appear to have had limited effect. In a letter to Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, released on Saturday, Mr. Trump claimed that the countries had a 'strong relationship' and that 'Mexico has been helping me secure the border.' Indeed, the number of people crossing the southern border illegally has dropped to levels not seen in decades. But Mr. Trump said that because Mexico 'still has not stopped' drug cartels or the flow of fentanyl into the United States, he would impose a 30 percent tariff starting Aug. 1. Ms. Sheinbaum, who has previously bristled at Mr. Trump's allegations of Mexican officials' ties to cartels, defended Mexico's efforts this week and claimed the authorities were seizing and destroying drug laboratories 'every day.' She added that the United States must also control the flow of weapons from its side of the border that empowers the cartels. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
