**Senate Receives Eight Resignations from Supreme Court Ministers; Ríos Farjat Declines Lifetime Pension**
On October 30, 2024, Ana Margarita Ríos Farjat, a minister of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN), announced her resignation, effective August 31, 2025. Appointed on December 5, 2019, by then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Ríos Farjat addressed her decision in a formal letter to José Gerardo Rodolfo Fernández Noroña, the President of the Senate’s Board of Directors.
Ríos Farjat cited the constitutional reform from September 15, 2024, which necessitates resignations and clarity on participation in the upcoming judicial election. She expressed her intention to step down without implicitly endorsing the controversial legal framework of the reform. Reflecting on her oath to uphold Mexico’s Constitution and her commitment to preserving a balanced and independent judiciary, she voiced her objections to the changes imposed by the reform, especially those regarding the end-of-service pension.
Opting to renounce her right to the pension, Ríos Farjat plans to return the money to the national treasury or donate it to support vulnerable children. She also rejects inclusion in the 2025 extraordinary election list, reaffirming her dedication to serving the nation.
Fernández Noroña announced receiving resignations from eight Supreme Court ministers, with only Alberto Pérez Dayán and José Luis González Alcántara Carrancá not submitting theirs. The resignations are set to take effect by August 31, 2025, as part of the judicial reform’s transitional arrangements.
President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged the ministers’ right to resign but emphasized that they could not alter the constitutional reform. She criticized the judiciary’s attempt to intervene in legislative reforms, asserting the authority of Congress in constitutional amendments.
**Secondary Article: The Broader Context of Judicial Reforms in Mexico**
In recent months, Mexico has witnessed significant political and judicial shifts as constitutional reforms aim to reshape the nation’s legal framework. The move, spearheaded by the government, has sparked widespread debate about the balance of power between the branches of government and the future of judicial independence in the country.
The judicial reform, approved in September 2024, intends to transform Mexico’s Supreme Court by introducing new selection processes for justices and revising retirement benefits, aligning with broader government efforts to enhance judicial accountability. Critics, including several Supreme Court ministers, argue that the reforms compromise the court’s independence and the rule of law by enabling greater executive influence over the judiciary.
These changes come amid persistent tensions between the government and the judiciary, reflecting broader global conversations about the role of independent judicial bodies in democratic societies. As Mexico navigates these reforms, the implications for its legal system and democratic institutions remain a focal point for both national and international observers.
The upcoming extraordinary judicial elections scheduled for 2025 will serve as a crucial test for these reforms. The participation and outcomes of these elections are anticipated to significantly impact Mexico’s judicial landscape in the coming years, setting precedents for the relationship between the judiciary and other state powers.