Mexico presses pause button for U.S., Canadian embassies

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on Tuesday criticized the U.S. and Canadian embassies’ opposition to proposed changes to Mexico’s judicial system. The matter 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 this matter, he said.

What changes are proposed for the Mexican judicial system? If enacted, Obrador’s proposals would ensure that Mexicans appoint the judges by popular vote, according to an analysis by Mexico’s highest court. Special committees would then vet the p nominees. The proposal, which would require a constitutional amendment, would also create accountability mechanisms for judges and new policies to ensure a swifter system of justice.

Why did U.S. 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 Mexico’s drug cartels and other bad actors to exploit inexperienced judges, Salazar said. Any judicial system should ensure that judges are free from the influence of corrupt politicians, he said. Canada’s Ambassador to Mexico Graeme Clark also criticized the proposal at an event last week, according to Al Jazeera.

The proposals also face opposition domestically. Mexico’s high court claimed the changes could allow inexperienced judges onto the bench while spending unnecessary taxpayer dollars running 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 await approval from the entire Congress.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report in The Sift about a hotly contested election in Venezuela earlier this year.