### National Strike Initiated by Judges and Magistrates; Supreme Court Justices at an Impasse
On August 21, 2024, at 00:00 hours, judges and magistrates across all federal courts in the country began an indefinite suspension of work. This move follows a consultation among members of the National Association of Circuit Magistrates and District Judges (JUFED). This action stems from a collective disagreement with the judicial reform presented by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on February 5, 2024.
Juana Fuentes Velázquez, a federal judge and the national director of JUFED, delivered a passionate speech condemning the proposed reform. She stressed that this reform threatens justice and national stability, steering the country toward an unprecedented constitutional crisis.
“Without independent justice, investments will suffer, public trust in our institutions will crumble, and human rights will become subject to the whims of centralized and authoritative state machinery,” warned Fuentes Velázquez. Speaking from the steps of the Federal Judiciary Council (CJF) headquarters in Mexico City, she addressed approximately 1,000 judicial officials, highlighting the critical importance of judicial independence to democracy.
Fuentes Velázquez underscored that the reform aims to concentrate power in a single person, constituting a direct affront to judicial independence. She called the strike not a hasty decision but a necessary measure against an existential threat, emphasizing the judiciary’s role as guardians of the law.
“History has shown that when power consolidates among a few, justice becomes a tool of oppression, leaving citizens’ rights subject to the whims of those in power,” Fuentes Velázquez stated. She also advised that the judiciary must stand firm against any attempts to undermine justice for political interests.
Meanwhile, magistrate Juan Carlos Guzmán Rosas, the executive secretary of the Plenary of the CJF, issued a list of “urgent” matters that district judges and circuit magistrates must address during the suspension. The circular highlighted criminal justice determinations, such as detention qualifications, trial warrants, and extradition rulings.
On August 20, 2024, the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) held a three-hour meeting to discuss the judicial reform draft but failed to reach a consensus. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for August 22, 2024.
In response, Moisés Ignacio Mier Velazco, the coordinator of the legislative group in the Chamber of Deputies, declared that the strike would not impede judicial reform. He characterized participants as part of the CJF’s “almost feudal” structure.
President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo also commented on the issue. Rejecting claims that the reform would allow the ruling party, Morena, to appoint judges, she maintained that the changes aim to democratize the judiciary without altering workers’ rights.
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### Additional Information on the Judicial Strike
Reports from various news sources provide more insights into the ongoing national strike by judges and magistrates.
1. **Impact on Legal Processes**: Various reports suggest that there is significant concern over how the strike will affect ongoing and pending legal cases. During the suspension, only urgent cases, primarily involving immediate threats to life and security, will be addressed.
2. **Public Reaction and Comments**: Public opinion is divided, with some supporting the judiciary’s stance on maintaining independence, while others express frustration over the potential delay in legal proceedings. Some legal experts argue that the reform could indeed have far-reaching implications for judicial impartiality and fundamental human rights.
3. **Political Analysis**: Political analysts have raised concerns over the broader implications of the strike and the reform. They suggest that the standoff reflects deeper issues in the balance of power within Mexico’s governmental structures and could set a precedent for future interactions between the judiciary and executive branches.
This developing story continues to unfold, with all eyes on Mexico’s judiciary and its crucial role in the country’s democracy.
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