### Protests Against Judicial Reform Continue: “The Government is Shooting Itself in the Foot”
Following the approval of the judicial reform by the Chamber of Deputies, protests have reignited in Baja California Sur against the initiative, with hopes that the Senate will reject the modifications proposed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Federal judiciary employees took to the streets of La Paz to raise awareness about their opposition to the reform, rallying for public support. They utilized the busy intersection at Boulevard Luis Donaldo Colosio and Agustín Olachea, using traffic lights as an opportunity to engage drivers and express their dissatisfaction.
Protestors argue that the reform would cause irreversible damage to the Mexican justice system by eliminating judicial career paths and allowing the election of high-ranking officials through popular vote. Eduardo Farías Gasca, a federal magistrate in Baja California Sur, emphasized the need for the public to understand the implications of the reform and join them in marches and social media campaigns.
“The government is shooting itself in the foot: the dollar is going up, businesses have halted their investments, and the United States government is indicating that it risks our commercial relationship,” Farías Gasca stated. He criticized the government’s misinformation campaign, suggesting that popular vote will not solve existing issues in the administration of justice.
Farías Gasca highlighted that judicial careers require judges with extensive experience to appropriately apply the Constitution. “Judges are not meant to be popular figures; our job is to defend the rights of individuals affected by government actions,” he added.
In this context, Farías Gasca reminded the public that the role of judges is to act as impartial arbiters in conflicts. The reform threatens to replace them with high-ranking officials elected by popular vote, who may be influenced by other interests.
The reform has already been approved by the Chamber of Deputies but still requires approval by the Senate and subsequently, by state legislatures.
### Secondary Article: Growing Concerns Over Judicial Reform
As the debate over judicial reform intensifies, various groups across Mexico are voicing their concerns. In addition to the protests in Baja California Sur, other regions have also seen demonstrations.
In Mexico City, thousands of protestors gathered outside the Senate building, urging lawmakers to reconsider the reform. Legal experts and human rights organizations have criticized the proposed changes, arguing they would undermine judicial independence and compromise the rule of law.
“There is a significant risk that the reform could lead to the politicization of the judiciary,” said Maria López, a legal scholar from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). “The election of judges through popular vote could result in the appointment of officials based on their political affiliations rather than their legal expertise.”
Meanwhile, international bodies have also expressed concern. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has released a statement urging the Mexican government to ensure that any judicial reforms strengthen rather than weaken judicial independence.
Despite the growing opposition, the government remains firm in its stance, claiming that the reform will democratize the judiciary and make it more accountable to the public. However, critics argue that the move is a smokescreen for consolidating power and undermining checks and balances.
As the Senate prepares to vote on the reform, all eyes are on Mexico, with many waiting to see how this significant political and legal battle will unfold.