New Law Aimed at Streamlining Government Processes Faces Criticism
Senators Approve National Law for Eliminating Bureaucratic Tramites; Centralizes Information
On June 24, the Mexican Senate approved a decree by 75 votes to send the National Law for Eliminating Bureaucratic Tramites to the federal executive for promulgation and enforcement. The law, originally proposed by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, seeks to simplify, digitize, harmonize, and interconnect government tramites at the federal, state, and municipal levels.
According to the approved amendment by Senator Araceli Saucedo Reyes (Morena), an average Mexican citizen undertakes 486 tramites, with 85% being state or municipal. The new law aims to decrease this number and combat corruption in the process.
Criticism from Opposition Parties
Opposition parties, including PRI, PAN, and MC, have raised concerns about the law. Néstor Camarillo (PRI) argued that instead of eliminating tramites, the law centralizes them and undermines state and municipal autonomy. He criticized the creation of a new digital transformation agency without public input, which would control all tramites nationwide, including those of the federal government, states, municipalities, the judicial branch, and Congress.
Laura Esquivel (PAN) and Alejandra Barrales (MC) echoed similar sentiments, stating that the law’s true intent is to concentrate power and information rather than simplify or eliminate tramites.
Guardia Nacional Reform Passed to the Senate
Morena and its allies in the Chamber of Deputies supported President Sheinbaum’s initiative to establish a new Guardia Nacional law along with secondary laws regulating its transfer to the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena). These changes include new authorities and benefits for the military.
In an extraordinary session, with PAN, PRI, and MC opposing, the Chamber of Deputies approved the Guardia Nacional Law with 351 votes in favor and 124 against. The bill now moves to the Senate for discussion.
Key changes include granting new authorities and responsibilities to the Guardia Nacional, which will be predominantly composed of Sedena military personnel post-2024 reform. The Guardia Nacional will oversee border zones, customs, national parks, federal urban spaces, and any territory under federal jurisdiction.
Additionally, military personnel will protect natural resources, investigate and prevent crimes like illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, and ecosystem degradation. They will also conduct intelligence work, gather information in public places, perform covert operations, and use surveillance techniques on public internet resources to prevent criminal activities.
The law also permits active military Guardia Nacional members to hold elected positions or work in governmental departments through a “special” leave granted by the federal executive or Sedena head.
Military Involvement in Public Life
Deputy José Guillermo Anaya (PAN) warned that this reform symbolizes a serious attempt to normalize the militarization of the country’s security. He emphasized that it is not an isolated incident but a step towards taking control of the country with total authoritarian traits.
Diputada Laura Ballesteros (MC) cautioned that these changes would allow arms to supplant the power of laws and institutions. “What we see today is not just an administrative change or a technical adjustment as they try to portray; it’s a reform that consolidates the militarization of public security and, more importantly, the militarization of Mexico’s public life.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main objective of the newly approved law? The primary goal is to simplify, digitize, harmonize, and interconnect government tramites at federal, state, and municipal levels to improve efficiency and citizen response times.
- How many tramites does an average Mexican citizen undertake, and what does the new law aim to achieve? An average Mexican citizen undertakes around 486 tramites, with 85% being state or municipal. The new law aims to decrease this number and combat corruption in the process.
- What are the main concerns raised by opposition parties regarding the new law? Opposition parties, including PRI, PAN, and MC, argue that the law centralizes tramites instead of eliminating them, undermines state and municipal autonomy, and creates a new digital transformation agency without public input that would control all tramites nationwide.
- What changes does the Guardia Nacional reform bring? The reform grants new authorities and responsibilities to the Guardia Nacional, which will predominantly consist of Sedena military personnel post-2024. The Guardia Nacional will oversee border zones, customs, national parks, federal urban spaces, and any territory under federal jurisdiction. Military personnel will also protect natural resources, investigate and prevent crimes, conduct intelligence work, and use surveillance techniques on public internet resources.
- What are the concerns about increased military involvement in public life? Critics, including Deputy José Guillermo Anaya (PAN) and Diputada Laura Ballesteros (MC), warn that this reform symbolizes a serious attempt to normalize the militarization of the country’s security and public life, potentially supplanting the power of laws and institutions with military force.
