### SCJN Extends Two-Day Work Suspension Amid Criticism from AMLO and Sheinbaum
On September 9, 2024, the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) announced an extension of its work suspension for two more days in protest against the Federal Judiciary Reform. This decision means that the Court will not hold public sessions until Thursday, September 12, 2024, when it will reassess whether to resume its operations.
The vote was split, with Justices Yasmín Esquivel Mossa and Loretta Ortiz Ahlf opposing the suspension. In contrast, Justices Norma Lucía Piña Hernández, Jorge Mario Pardo Rebolledo, Ana Margarita Ríos-Farjat, Juan Luis González Alcántara Carrancá, Javier Laynez Potisek, Alberto Gelacio Pérez Dayán, and Luis María Aguilar Morales voted in favor. Justice Lenia Batres Guadarrama abstained.
Previously, on September 3, 2024, during a private session, the majority of the SCJN voted (8-3) to join a national strike against the judicial reform. This measure was supported by the same majority, with Batres Guadarrama, Esquivel Mossa, and Ortiz Ahlf against it. They even threatened their colleagues with political impeachment for supporting the national strike.
On September 8, 2024, SCJN President Piña Hernández, along with Justices Aguilar Morales, Pardo Rebolledo, and González Alcántara Carrancá, presented a proposal for a comprehensive reform of Mexico’s justice system. This proposal was made public on Justice TV via YouTube and called for dialogue with Congress to consider these reforms.
“The demolition of the Judiciary is not the way. Our resistance is not based on the present but on our commitment to future generations,” stated Piña Hernández, urging legislators to deliberate on the proposals. She emphasized that the document is based on a thorough diagnosis reflecting the real needs of those within the justice system.
On September 9, 2024, during his morning press conference, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) clarified that the aim of the judicial reform was not to destroy the Judiciary but to improve it. “She [Piña Hernández] used the word ‘demolition,’ but nothing will be destroyed, quite the opposite,” AMLO explained. He defended the right to oppose the reform but argued that systemic corruption within the Judiciary makes reform urgent for the benefit of all.
Meanwhile, Claudia Sheinbaum, the president-elect, criticized Piña Hernández for acknowledging nepotism within the Judiciary. During a press conference, Sheinbaum highlighted that nearly 50% of Federal Judiciary employees had familial relations within the courts.
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### Update on SCJN Protest and Judicial Reform
#### Broader Context and Reactions
The SCJN’s decision to extend its suspension of activities has sparked broader national conversations on the state of the Judiciary. Statements from various political figures and civic organizations have proliferated, discussing the implications and potential outcomes of the proposed reforms.
According to sources, civil society groups and legal experts have voiced concerns about the potential effects of the reform on judicial independence. They warn that such reforms could undermine the rule of law and concentrate power in the executive branch.
Meanwhile, labor unions within the Judiciary have expressed solidarity with the SCJN’s decision, stating that the reforms must be thoroughly debated to ensure they do not infringe on judicial autonomy.
Journalistic reports from various outlets have echoed these concerns, providing analysis on how the proposed changes might reshape the Mexican legal landscape. Some analysts suggest that the reforms could bring more transparency and efficiency, while others fear it might lead to greater political control over the Judiciary.
As discussions continue, it is clear that the future of the Mexican justice system is at a critical juncture. Stakeholders from all sides are preparing for what promises to be a complex and contentious debate in the Mexican Congress.
Stay tuned to TJGringo.com for continuous updates on this developing story.