Mexico Pauses Relations With US And Canadian Embassies Amid Judicial Reform Controversy
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced a pause in relations with the US and Canadian embassies in Mexico after their ambassadors criticized a proposed judicial reform that he supports. The freeze, he clarified, is limited to the embassies and does not extend to the nations themselves.
Lopez Obrador is advocating for a reform that would see judges, including Supreme Court justices, elected by popular vote. This proposal was passed by a committee in Mexico’s lower house of Congress and is expected to be approved when the new Congress convenes in September.
Supporters of the reform argue that it will enhance democracy and address flaws in the current system, while opponents warn that it could shift power toward the executive branch, undermine judicial independence, and expose the judiciary to criminal influence.
US Ambassador Ken Salazar recently called the reform a “major risk to the functioning of Mexico’s democracy” and warned of potential implications for the US-Mexico trade relationship. Canada’s Ambassador to Mexico, Graeme Clark, also raised concerns about the impact on investment.
In response to the criticism, Lopez Obrador accused Salazar of interfering in Mexico’s internal affairs, asserting that while the US ambassador wouldn’t be expelled, he should be reminded to respect Mexico’s Constitution.
Following Lopez Obrador’s remarks, Salazar released a diplomatic note, emphasizing that while the US supports the idea of judicial reform in Mexico, it has significant concerns that electing judges by popular vote would not address judicial corruption or strengthen the judiciary.
The Canadian embassy has not yet commented on the situation. Lopez Obrador stated that the pause in relations would continue until it is confirmed that the embassies will respect Mexico’s sovereignty.
The controversy has affected Mexico’s financial markets, with the peso down 1.65% in early afternoon trading. The currency has been under pressure since the June elections, in which Lopez Obrador’s preferred successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, won the presidency, securing a supermajority in the lower house and nearly a supermajority in the Senate. The proposed judicial reform requires a two-thirds vote to amend the Constitution.
