Mexico’s planned judicial reform is ‘major risk’ to democracy, says US ambassador By Reuters

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – The proposed reform of Mexico’s judiciary threatens Mexico’s democracy as well as its vital trade relationship with the United States, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said in a statement on Thursday.

The controversial reform, set for a vote in September, aims to ensure that judges, including all Supreme Court justices, are elected through a popular vote.

“Based on my lifelong experience supporting the rule of law, I believe popular direct election of judges is a major risk to the functioning of Mexico’s democracy,” Salazar said.

Incoming President Claudia Sheinbaum, who takes office in October, has defended outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s judicial proposal, saying she agrees judges should be elected.

Salazar said that the debate and politics around the reform would threaten the U.S.-Mexico trade relationship, “which relies on investors’ confidence in Mexico’s legal framework.”

“Any judicial reform should have the right kinds of safeguards that will ensure the judicial branch will be strengthened and not subject to the corruption of politics,” he added.