Mexico Hits Pause Button on US, Canadian Embassies

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on Tuesday criticized the U.S. and Canadian embassies for proposed changes to Mexico’s legal system. The issue did not concern the United States or Canada, Obrador said in a statement announcing a temporary pause in relations with the embassies. The United States and Canada should respect Mexico’s sovereignty in the matter, he said.

What changes are proposed for the Mexican legal system? If passed, Obrador’s proposals would see Mexicans appoint judges through a popular vote, according to an analysis by Mexico’s Supreme Court. Special commissions would then vet the nominees. The proposal, which would require a constitutional amendment, would also create accountability mechanisms for judges and new policies to ensure a speedier justice system.

Why did the US and Canadian embassies criticize the plan? The changes would threaten Mexican democracy, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said last week. The proposed changes would make it easier for Mexican drug cartels and other bad actors to exploit inexperienced judges, Salazar said. Any justice system should ensure that judges are free from the influence of corrupt politicians, he said. Canadian Ambassador to Mexico Graeme Clark also criticized the proposal at an event last week, Al Jazeera reported.

The proposals are also facing resistance at home. Mexico’s Supreme Court argued that the changes could put inexperienced judges on the bench while unnecessarily spending taxpayer money on elections. The court echoed Salazar’s concerns that popular elections could expose judges to corrupt influence. A legislative committee in Mexico has reportedly approved the proposed changes. They are awaiting approval from the full Congress.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report in The Sift on the fiercely contested elections in Venezuela earlier this year.