**Judicial Reform: A Threat to Mexico’s Democracy; Drug Cartels May Exploit, Warns US Ambassador**
Kenneth Lee Salazar, the US Ambassador to Mexico, has issued a dire warning on August 22, 2024, regarding the proposed judicial reform currently under review in the Mexican Congress. The reform, initiated by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on February 5, 2024, includes provisions for the direct election of judges, a move Salazar believes could pose a significant risk to the functioning of Mexico’s democracy and economic integration with the US and Canada under the USMCA.
During a press conference, Salazar, who served as US Secretary of the Interior from January 20, 2009, to April 12, 2013, and previously as Colorado Attorney General from January 12, 1999, to January 3, 2005, emphasized the need for judicial reform to focus on strengthening the judiciary without subjecting it to political corruption. He expressed concerns that direct elections for judges could open the door for drug cartels to influence politically motivated and inexperienced judges.
“I understand the fight against judicial corruption, but from my perspective, the direct election of judges will not resolve the issue. Popular elections for judges will not advance democracy… Democracies cannot function without a strong, independent, and corruption-free judiciary,” Salazar remarked.
Ambassador Salazar’s comments came on the same day President López Obrador assured that there would be no wage cuts or dismissals for workers protesting the federal judicial reform. Despite this, the Mexican President faced criticism for allegedly instructing the Ministry of Finance to halt the salaries and consider dismissals of striking judicial employees.
President López Obrador also dismissed claims that the judicial reform would deter investment in Mexico, attributing the recent strengthening of the US dollar against the peso to global economic adjustments rather than internal factors.
**Additional Commentary from the US Ambassador**
On July 24, 2024, Ambassador Salazar reinforced the importance of a strong judicial structure for the functioning of democracies while discussing various global judicial models without delving into specific recommendations for Mexico.
During his media address, Salazar cited examples from Iraq and Afghanistan to underscore the consequences of a weak judiciary, positioning the US model as one where an expert committee nominates candidates for judicial positions.
“It will be up to the Government of Mexico and its legislature to decide on the appropriate judicial model. I’m not here to dictate what should be done but merely to highlight that different models exist,” Salazar stated, respecting Mexican sovereignty.
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**Secondary Article: Concerns Voiced Over Mexican Judicial Reform**
In a related development, various legal and political analysts have echoed concerns similar to those of Ambassador Salazar. Local critics argue that the proposed reform could compromise the impartiality of the judiciary, making it susceptible to outside influences, including criminal organizations.
Several pundits pointed to potential issues stemming from politicized judicial elections, which could lead to judges being elected based on populist platforms rather than legal expertise and integrity. This shift, they argue, could significantly undermine the rule of law in Mexico.
As the debate continues, the Mexican Congress faces the challenge of balancing the need for judicial reform with the imperative of maintaining a robust, independent, and transparent judicial system. Observers around the world are watching closely, noting that the outcome of this reform could have lasting implications not only for Mexico’s legal landscape but also for its international relationships and economic partnerships.
**Source Links:**
1. Additional news on the judicial reform in Mexico can be found at:
– [Source](https://www.reuters.com/article/mexico-reform-idUSL1N2NX22H)
– [Source](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/22/mexicos-judicial-reform-raises-alarm#:~:text=Content%20Headings)
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