Background and Relevance of Guillermo Valls Esponda
The first working day of 2026 at the Federal Administrative Justice Court (TFJA) will be next Monday, 5th, and the 16 magistrates who make up the Superior Sala must choose a new president for this autonomous body, as Guillermo Valls Esponda’s triennium concludes. The TFJA, a crucial institution in Mexico’s judicial system, ensures the proper functioning of public administration by resolving disputes and addressing legal matters related to federal public entities.
New Magistrates and Potential Candidates
The Plenary General of the TFJA recently completed a full turnover, receiving five new magistrates just 90 days ago. Among them, at least three are expected to vie for the presidency. This faction, clearly aligned with the 4T movement, might benefit Julián Alfonso Olivas Ugalde, who has served in the TFJA for a decade and is eligible for the position.
Election Process and Key Magistrates
According to Article 52 of the TFJA’s Organic Law, the president will be elected by the Plenary General of the Superior Sala in the first session of the following year after the current president’s term ends. Eligible candidates must be Superior Sala magistrates whose appointments cover the specified period.
Julián Alfonso Olivas Ugalde, a 71-year-old experienced attorney with over half a century of legal practice, joined the Fiscal Tribunal in 2015 after serving as the Secretary of Public Function during the early stages of the Peña Nieto administration. Two years ago, he competed for the presidency, which Valls Esponda won with nine votes out of 15 possible.
Just six weeks ago, the outgoing president proposed an adjustment to the internal regulations. Article VI of Section 23 outlines the new voting mechanism: “a majority plus one of the votes of the magistrates present in the session…” If no candidate secures the required majority in the first round, a second vote will be held with only the two candidates receiving the most votes in the initial round participating. The candidate securing a majority plus one of the votes will be elected.
Carlos Mena, the magistrate with the most seniority in the Superior Sala, will preside over the election session. His intervention could be decisive, as he holds a casting vote in case of a tie.
Morenization and Recent Developments
The TFJA’s morenization took place on October 14 when President Claudia Sheinbaum submitted the list of five Superior Sala magistrates to the Senate of the Republic. Among them, Selene Cruz Alcalá, Ariadna Camacho Contreras, and Eduardo Santillán Pérez had previously unsuccessfully contested for the Judicial Power’s election four months prior. Ludmila Valentina Albarrán Acuña and José Ramón Amieva, former Mexico City and Hidalgo administrative tribunal heads, respectively, joined the TFJA.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador proposed Natalia Téllez Torres Orozco and Julio Ángel Sabines Chesterking as magistrates for the anti-corruption specialized third section, but their disputes stalled their appointments for almost five years. Cruz Alcalá recently joined this section and will preside over it in 2026. Santillán Pérez joined the first section, Amieva the second, and Albarrán Acuña the Governing Board.
TFJA’s Future and Current Initiatives
The TFJA will celebrate its nonagésimo anniversary in 2026, though legislative initiatives aim to alter its current status. By constitutional design, this body has full jurisdiction and is not subject to the Tribunal of Discipline or the Federal Judicial Administration Organ.
On December 11, the Governing Board validated the outgoing president’s proposal to assign 23 magistrates—including 20 recently ratified by the Legislature—to various panels and chambers nationwide. They will assume their duties starting January 1, 2026.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Guillermo Valls Esponda? Guillermo Valls Esponda is the outgoing president of the Federal Administrative Justice Court (TFJA) whose triennium concludes in 2026.
- What is the TFJA, and why is it important? The TFJA ensures proper functioning of public administration by resolving disputes and addressing legal matters related to federal public entities.
- Who are the potential candidates for the TFJA presidency? Julián Alfonso Olivas Ugalde, with a decade of service in the TFJA, is one of the potential candidates.
- What is the election process for TFJA president? The Plenary General of the Superior Sala will elect the new president in the first session following Guillermo Valls Esponda’s term conclusion.
- What are the recent developments in the TFJA? The TFJA has recently integrated new magistrates, including Selene Cruz Alcalá, Ariadna Camacho Contreras, Eduardo Santillán Pérez, Ludmila Valentina Albarrán Acuña, and José Ramón Amieva.
- What is the future of the TFJA? The TFJA will celebrate its nonagésimo anniversary in 2026, but legislative initiatives aim to change its current status.
