## AMLO’s Attempts to Weaken Judiciary Threaten North American Economy and Mexican Democracy
The editorial board of a prominent U.S. newspaper has raised alarms about Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s (AMLO) ongoing attempts to undermine the judiciary. A recent editorial argued that these efforts not only jeopardize the sovereignty of the Mexican judicial system but also pose significant risks to the North American economy and Mexican democracy.
Under the headline “Rule of Law in Mexico is in Danger. The U.S. is Right to Intervene,” the op-ed illustrated the potential political consequences for Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, AMLO’s designated successor, who takes office on October 1, 2024. The piece criticized AMLO’s plans to implement judicial reforms that would radically alter the independence of Mexico’s judiciary.
According to the article, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar publicly condemned AMLO’s proposed reforms on August 24, 2024, calling them “a significant risk to the functioning of Mexican democracy.” Ambassador Salazar emphasized that the planned changes could harm the mutual economic interests shared by the U.S. and Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
AMLO’s response came swiftly, denouncing Salazar’s remarks as “unfortunate and reckless” and accusing them of infringing on Mexico’s sovereignty. Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry followed up with a letter reprimanding the U.S. for interfering in what they termed as internal matters.
The editorial warned that the consequences of these reforms would stretch far beyond Mexico. Disrupting the judiciary’s independence could destabilize North America’s economic integration, adversely impacting areas of trade, migration, organized crime, and national security.
Notably, the reform proposed by AMLO includes expanding the list of crimes that warrant mandatory pre-trial detention. This practice has previously been criticized by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights as a violation of human rights. Adding to the controversy, the plan also involves dismantling various independent agencies created after the advent of multi-party democracy in 2000 to limit the presidency’s power.
The piece also noted concerns shared by Salazar and Canadian Ambassador Graeme Clark. Both highlighted that investor confidence in Mexico’s legal framework would be undermined, thereby threatening the robust trade relationships built over years of cooperation.
Furthermore, AMLO’s reforms propose the removal of all current members of the federal judiciary, including Supreme Court justices, replacing them through massive elections in 2025 and 2027, most likely resulting in significant gains for AMLO’s Morena party. Critics argue that this move could fully politicize the judiciary, stripping it of its much-needed independence.
In response, federal judges, magistrates, and court employees in Mexico have gone on strike. Organizations like the Latin American Federation of Magistrates have requested hearings with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to discuss the critical state of judicial independence in the region.
Among the most vocal critics, Human Rights Watch urged AMLO and Sheinbaum to focus on strengthening Mexico’s prosecutions rather than the judiciary. The U.N. Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers also highlighted that politicizing Mexico’s judiciary increases the risk of corruption.
While Sheinbaum continues to support AMLO, the editorial urges her to reconsider, emphasizing that her economic strategy relies on integration with the North American economy, which could be jeopardized by AMLO’s judicial overhaul.
On August 25, 2024, thousands of judicial workers, bar associations, and civil society organizations protested against the proposed judicial reforms in a National March for Judicial Independence across various cities in Mexico. These demonstrations aimed to halt the reform, spotlighting concerns about losing judiciary independence.
In Mexico City, hundreds of workers assembled at the Monument to the Revolution and marched to the Zócalo, brandishing banners criticizing the reforms. The slogans emphasized the non-partisan role of the judiciary and the dangers of politicizing judicial appointments.
The Commission of Constitutional Points in the Mexican Chamber of Deputies convened on August 26, 2024, to begin discussions on the reform, which includes the direct election of judges, magistrates, and Supreme Court justices and the restructuring of the Federal Judiciary Council.
## Additional Coverage: Protests and Political Fallout Over Judiciary Reforms
In further developments, news outlets have reported continued backlash from within Mexico and abroad regarding AMLO’s judicial reform proposals. Analysts argue that these changes threaten to embed partisan control over what should remain an independent judiciary. They express concerns that, should the reforms pass, the integrity and functionality of Mexico’s legal system, which already faces challenges, will be further compromised, resulting in long-term consequences for the country’s democratic institutions and economic stability.
The international community remains watchful, with diplomatic actors underscoring the necessity of an impartial judiciary for maintaining investor confidence and fostering a stable trade environment. This contentious issue remains a critical point of discussion as Mexico’s legislative bodies debate the future of its judiciary.