Introduction
As the first-ever judicial elections approach in the country, the organization Defensorxs has raised concerns about at least 24 candidates from 11 states with potentially risky profiles for judicial positions due to their alleged connections to organized crime or accusations of sexual or domestic violence.
Key Candidates and Allegations
Luis Castañeda
Luis Castañeda, a candidate for federal labor judge in Mexico City’s District 4 (Cuauhtémoc and Miguel Hidalgo), faces allegations of at least 36 sexual harassment complaints. He was also detained for negligent homicide after hitting and killing a motorcyclist.
- Background: Castañeda is the subdirector of Legal Defense at the Presidency’s Legal Counsel since 2012, facing multiple harassment accusations from victims who created an Instagram movement called “mujeresvsacoso” to expose his abuse and threats.
- Threats: He allegedly threatened victims with judicial liens or by using his contacts within the Federal Judicial Council (CJF).
- Legal History: The Mexico City Attorney General’s Office investigated him for aggravated sexual assault in 2018, leading to his prosecution. The victim later granted him forgiveness, closing the case in 2019.
- Attempted Censorship: In 2021, he reportedly requested the removal of data related to a PAN precandidate from public records, interpreted as an attempt to censor media outlet Proceso.
Edgar Agustín Beiza
Edgar Agustín Beiza, a sitting control judge and candidate for penal circuit magistrate in Mexico City’s First Circuit, is accused by a UNAM student of sexual abuse and by numerous women of covering up assaults.
- Background: The Mexico City Attorney General’s Office (PGJCDMX) initiated an investigation in 2018, linking him to aggravated sexual assault. The victim later forgave him, leading to case closure in 2019.
- Attempted Censorship: In 2021, Beiza reportedly asked the capital’s Fiscalía to erase data related to a PAN precandidate, interpreted as an attempt to censor media.
Francisco Martín Hernández Zaragoza
Francisco Martín Hernández Zaragoza, a candidate for penal circuit magistrate in Jalisco’s Third Circuit, was dismissed in 2015 for sexual abuse and has been accused of corruption and money laundering.
“Despite these background details, he was recently nominated for a magistracy without proper review of his history,” laments Defensorxs.
Nicollino Giuseppe Mariano Cangiamilla Enríquez
Nicollino Giuseppe Mariano Cangiamilla Enríquez, a candidate for mixed circuit magistrate in Sonora’s Fifth Circuit, was dismissed as a penitentiary administrator and accused of covering up a femicide during a prison conjugal visit.
Tania Gisela Contreras López
Tania Gisela Contreras López, a candidate for Magistrate of the Supreme Court of Justice in Tamaulipas (local), is linked to a corruption network involving bribery, extortion, and huachicol (illicit fuel trade) in Tamaulipas.
- Background: She filed a complaint with local electoral authorities to censor journalists reporting on these irregularities.
Elizabeth Guzmán Vilchis
Elizabeth Guzmán Vilchis, a candidate for penal circuit judge in Michoacán, was arrested by the State of Mexico Fiscalía for alleged extortion. She’s also linked to the disappearance and murder of Homero Gómez, a monarch butterfly defender.
Job Daniel Wong Ibarra, Eluzai Rafael Aguilar, and Cesiah Keren León Rocha
Job Daniel Wong Ibarra, Eluzai Rafael Aguilar, and Cesiah Keren León Rocha are candidates for labor, penal, and civil circuit judges in Jalisco, respectively. All are accused of being ministers in the Luz del Mundo cult, led by Naasón Joaquín García, sentenced to 16 years in the US for child abuse.
Karina Sánchez Ruiz
Karina Sánchez Ruiz, a candidate for federal colegiado magistrate in Oaxaca, is identified as Luz del Mundo’s leader and for giving a recognition to Naasón Joaquín García as a diputada.
Leopoldo Javier Chávez Vargas
Leopoldo Javier Chávez Vargas, a candidate for federal district judge (mixta) in Durango, spent 5 years and 7 months in a US prison for conspiracy, importation, and possession of methamphetamine for distribution. He was also detained in Mexico for driving under the influence.
Francisco Herrera Franco
Francisco Herrera Franco, a candidate for penal circuit judge in Michoacán, was one of the main suspects in the 2022 murders of Monitor Michoacán journalists Roberto Toledo and Armando Linares. Leaked audio suggests he advises a Michoacán criminal leader on evading legal action.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who is Defensorxs? A: An organization conducting rigorous investigations to expose potentially risky judicial candidates.
- Q: What are the main concerns regarding these candidates? A: Alleged connections to organized crime and accusations of sexual or domestic violence.
- Q: How does Defensorxs verify these claims? A: Through thorough journalistic investigations to confirm the allegations.
- Q: What is the Luz del Mundo cult? A: A religious group led by Naasón Joaquín García, who was sentenced to 16 years in the US for child abuse.
- Q: What is huachicol? A: Illicit fuel trade in Mexico.
