**Senator Cynthia López Castro Resigns from PRI Amid Voting Controversy**
On October 29, 2024, Senator Cynthia López Castro announced her resignation from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), citing disagreements with the party’s National Executive Committee, led by Rafael Alejandro Moreno Cárdenas, popularly known as “Alito.” This announcement came shortly after a significant Senate vote on a constitutional reform known as the “constitutional supremacy” initiative, which was spearheaded by the political party Morena.
During the session held on October 25, 2024, the Senate passed a reform to Article 107 and added a fifth paragraph to Article 105 of the Constitution with 85 votes in favor and 41 against. The reform aims to prevent any challenges to constitutional amendments through legal means. Supporting votes were cast by senators from Morena, the Green Party (PVEM), and the Labor Party (PT), while the opposition came from the National Action Party (PAN), PRI, and Movimiento Ciudadano (MC).
López Castro was notably absent for the vote, leaving the Senate chamber just minutes before it commenced, citing a sudden drop in blood pressure as the reason for her departure. Despite her absence, she was seen in conversation with Adán Augusto López Hernández, the leader of the Morena faction, which she later clarified was about the disturbance caused by opposition senators using megaphones during the session.
In a press conference, López Castro expressed dissatisfaction with the current direction of PRI, stating, “Today, I decide to resign from the PRI after 21 years of membership. I began with PRI at the age of 16… I no longer align with the party’s values.” She confirmed her intention to continue serving as an independent legislator and remain committed to her constituents in Mexico City. This resignation leaves the PRI with only 14 seats in the Senate, following previous expulsions within the party.
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**Secondary Article: Political Turmoil in Mexico After Senate Approval of Controversial Reform**
Following the Senate’s approval of a contentious constitutional reform proposed by Morena, political tensions in Mexico have reached a boiling point. The reform introduces amendments that effectively shield constitutional changes from any form of judicial review, a move that has sparked outrage among opposition parties and civil society organizations.
Many see this as an attempt by the ruling parties to consolidate power and diminish checks and balances within the government structure. Civil liberties groups have warned that this could lead to an erosion of democracy and have vowed to challenge the reform through national and international legal avenues.
Political analysts suggest that the reform signals a shift towards a more centralized power structure, echoing historical instances of authoritarian governance in Mexico. The reform’s passage has also stirred public demonstrations across major cities, with protestors calling for greater transparency and accountability from their leaders. As the nation grapples with these changes, the political landscape in Mexico remains uncertain, suggesting a period of heightened scrutiny and potential upheaval in its democratic institutions.