## “I Am a Founder of Morena”: Minister Loretta Ortiz Acknowledges AMLO at Judicial Reform Rally
Loretta Ortiz Ahlf, a Minister of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) in Mexico, proudly declared her foundational role in the political party Morena and credited President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) for nominating her to the country’s high court. The announcement was made during a rally for “Young People in Favor of Judicial Reform” on September 5, 2024.
“I come to express my gratitude for your support towards this reform of the Federal Judicial System,” Ortiz Ahlf stated. “I am a proud founder of Morena.” She also extended her deepest thanks to President López Obrador for nominating her in December 2021 as a minister of the SCJN. “All the resolutions and votes I have cast have been in favor of the people,” she affirmed.
Ortiz Ahlf acknowledged the necessity for a judicial reform that enhances the administration and justice delivery within the Federal Judicial Power (PJF). However, she emphasized that not just anyone could serve as a judge. During an interview on Milenio Television on July 11, 2024, she highlighted the high degree of professionalism required to become a judge, magistrate, or member of the PJF, insisting on the need for capable profiles to be proposed.
Ortiz Ahlf drew parallels between the selection of judges and hiring a specialized doctor, stressing the importance of candidates with the appropriate expertise to defend citizens’ rights. She also noted the complexities involved in electing thousands of judicial positions by popular vote, as proposed in the reform.
Despite the public’s support for López Obrador’s political project, as evidenced in the elections on June 2, 2024, Ortiz Ahlf argued for a more serious approach in the judicial reform procedure, given the significant number of positions at stake.
In a similar vein, Ortiz Ahlf asserted that if the judicial reform were approved as proposed, she would undergo the consultation process to reaffirm her position within the SCJN, albeit without campaigning on the streets like typical politicians.
In line with her comments, President López Obrador, on July 12, 2024, praised young law graduates as untainted “angels” in contrast to seasoned lawyers, some of whom he labeled as “gangsters” after a decade in practice.
Additionally, Ortiz Ahlf explained during a conference at the Autonomous University of Puebla (BUAP) that complete overhauls of judicial systems are intricate and that Moreno lawmakers lacked awareness of the implications of their proposal.
Lastly, Ortiz Ahlf drew attention to the international context of judicial appointments, citing a specific case in the United States where a judge, motivated by career advancement, issued a death penalty sentence that was later revealed to be an injustice. These examples underscore her stance against politically-motivated judicial appointments.
### About Loretta Ortiz Ahlf
Loretta Ortiz Ahlf, born on February 24, 1955, in Mexico City, is a distinguished legal professional. She graduated from the Escuela Libre de Derecho and holds a Master’s degree in Human Rights from the Universidad Iberoamericana and a Doctorate in Human Rights and European Community Law from the National Distance Education University in Spain. Her extensive career includes roles within the Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores, Banco de México, CONACULTA, and as a founding member of Morena. She was elected to the SCJN on December 12, 2021, and has served in various academic and advisory capacities throughout her distinguished career.
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