Background on the Mexican Judicial Elections
Mexico is set to hold its first popular election for judges and magistrates on June 1, following a constitutional reform approved by the left-leaning majority and criticized by the opposition. This unique process worldwide aims to select 881 federal judicial positions, including nine Supreme Court justices, and 1,749 local ones.
Who is Gerardo Fernández Noroña?
Gerardo Fernández Noroña is a legislator from the ruling Morena party in Mexico’s Senate. He has raised concerns about certain candidates with alleged criminal ties seeking positions in the upcoming judicial elections.
Fernández Noroña’s Concerns
During a press conference on Tuesday, Fernández Noroña urged election authorities to disqualify some candidates for not meeting the constitutional requirement of probity.
- Fernández Noroña’s Statement: “We have detected, for example, defenders of drug traffickers who are trying to access these positions. They should not participate,” he told journalists.
- Scope of the Issue: Although he did not mention specific names or numbers, Fernández Noroña emphasized that “these cases are not many” and do not jeopardize the elections.
Local media have highlighted the case of Silvia Delgado, who aspires to be a penal judge and previously worked on the legal team of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, a drug lord serving life in a US prison.
Senate’s Role and Criticism
The Senate played a crucial role in reviewing candidates’ profiles and organizing the election process. However, some critics argue that the intervention of popular voting threatens the independence of powers, as judges could become targets for political manipulation and drug trafficking.
Concerns Regarding Specific Candidates
A few candidates, including some former judges, have been accused of releasing criminals or having links to disappearances, murders, or gender-based violence.
AMLO’s Motivation and Opposition
The constitutional reform was promoted by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who accused judges and Supreme Court justices of alleged corruption. Despite this, the majority of Supreme Court members, along with US counterparts and a UN rapporteur, have warned that this popular voting intervention endangers the independence of powers.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who is Gerardo Fernández Noroña? A: He is a legislator from the ruling Morena party in Mexico’s Senate, who has raised concerns about candidates with alleged criminal ties in the upcoming judicial elections.
- Q: What is the significance of these upcoming judicial elections? A: Mexico will hold its first popular election for judges and magistrates on June 1, selecting 881 federal positions and 1,749 local ones following a controversial constitutional reform.
- Q: What are the main concerns regarding the candidates? A: Concerns include alleged criminal ties, releasing criminals, and links to violent crimes or gender-based violence.
- Q: Who opposes this constitutional reform? A: Critics include the majority of Supreme Court members, US counterparts, and a UN rapporteur who argue that popular voting intervention threatens the independence of powers.
