**Proposed Sacrifice by SCJN Ministers to Invalidate Judicial Reform**
On October 28, 2024, a significant document was unveiled by the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) concerning the legal challenges posed by opposition political parties against the reform of the Federal Judicial Branch. The document is a draft judgment authored by Minister Juan Luis González Alcántara Carrancá. This proposal comes in response to the constitutional challenges raised by the National Action Party (PAN), Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), and Citizens’ Movement (MC).
Minister González Alcántara Carrancá’s draft suggests that the election of judges and magistrates via popular vote be declared unconstitutional, albeit retaining the election method for SCJN ministers. He believes this measure could mark the end of the ongoing “constitutional crisis” and restore normal institutional relations among the Union’s powers.
The project also calls for the invalidation of “faceless judges,” and a halt to the general effects of legal injunctions. However, it supports maintaining the election process for SCJN members and the electoral magistrates of the Federal Judiciary’s Electoral Tribunal, and it supports the establishment of a Judicial Discipline Tribunal.
Further, the draft opposes the complete renewal of local judiciary powers, advocating for the independence of state judges from being replaced through popular vote. Minister González Alcántara Carrancá emphasizes that this initiative emerges as a constitutional response to the notion that democratic principles are severely compromised, echoing presidential criticisms against the judicial branch aimed at preserving impartiality and independence.
González Alcántara Carrancá advocates for an institutional measure of restraint in discussing the electoral regime of the ministers, reinforcing the SCJN’s capability to review any constitutional reforms that affect fundamental charter clauses, known as “eternal clauses.”
**Secondary Article**
**Mexicali Faces Large Debt to ISSSTECALI Amid Broader Infrastructure Concerns**
In related regional developments, the administration in Mexicali is contending with a significant financial obligation. As of October 28, 2024, the city owes over 800 million pesos to ISSSTECALI, the State Institute of Social Security and Services for State Workers, adding financial pressure on the city’s budget.
Simultaneously, infrastructure projects are progressing, with the water treatment plant in San Antonio de Los Buenos reaching 91.5% completion. This facility is crucial for addressing the water needs and environmental concerns of the region.
Moreover, Tijuana recently announced plans to update its risk atlas for the first time in a decade. This update aims to enhance the city’s preparedness for natural disasters and other potential hazards, marking a significant step forward in urban planning and safety enhancement.
These financial and infrastructure developments underscore the broader challenges faced by the region, as local governments strive to balance fiscal responsibility with essential public services and safety improvements.