Proposal for elected judges in Mexico ‘threatens’ trade: US ambassador

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The United States warned Thursday that the Mexican government’s proposed direct election of judges “threatens” trade relations between the two countries and could benefit drug cartels.

The move would “threaten the historic trade relationship we have built, which depends on investor confidence in Mexico’s legal framework,” Ken Salazar, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, said in a statement to the press.

Mexico is one of the United States’ largest trading partners. The two share a free trade agreement that also includes Canada.

The election of judges and magistrates by popular vote is part of a judicial reform proposed to Congress by leftist President Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador.

US Ambassador Salazar said such a move could pose “a grave risk to the functioning of Mexican democracy.”

He warned that the proposal could also be a boon for drug cartels.

“Direct elections would also make it easier for cartels and other malicious actors to take advantage of politically motivated and inexperienced judges,” the former lawyer said.

The proposal will be presented to the Mexican Legislative Assembly, which begins on September 1. The ruling party will have to win the required number of seats to gain approval.

The reform has the full support of Mexico’s new President Claudia Sheinbaum, who takes office on October 1.

In June, President-elect Sheinbaum promised broad consultation on proposed judicial reforms, which have shaken investor confidence after her historic election victory.

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