Background on Yasmín Esquivel and the Situation
Yasmín Esquivel, a minister in Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice, faces a proposed fine of over 16,000 pesos from Magistrate Reyes Rodríguez Mondragón. The fine stems from her alleged acceptance of prohibited campaign contributions from the National Union of Education Workers (SNTE) during her campaign kickoff on March 30th. The controversy revolves around Esquivel reportedly omitting to reject illegal campaign contributions, including promotional materials and equipment, from the State of Mexico Industrial Union – an entity barred from making such contributions to judicial election campaigns.
The Institutional Electoral Body’s Decision
According to the National Electoral Institute (INE), Esquivel was penalized 149 units of measurement and update (UMA), equivalent to approximately 16,857.86 pesos, for receiving banned campaign contributions consisting of a backdrop, two video screens, and a podium. The magistrate’s proposal aims to confirm nearly all the infractions initially filed by the INE regarding this case.
Magistrate’s Argument
Despite the magistrate’s intention to uphold almost all the infractions, he only supports Esquivel’s case concerning the alleged improper podium rental. The magistrate argues that it is unnecessary to await the conclusion of other sanction procedures since Esquivel’s conduct was already clearly defined in the law.
Minister’s Defense
Esquivel contested the fine, asserting that her participation in the event was permitted, the mentioned items were not campaign propaganda, and they formed part of the venue’s infrastructure. She further argued that her conduct was not covered by applicable regulations, the incidents were pending resolution in another administrative sanction procedure, and the imposition of the fine was incorrect and disproportionate.
Next Steps
The magistrate’s proposal may be reviewed by the full Tribunal Electoral del Poder Judicial de la Federación (TEPJF) in the coming days.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Yasmín Esquivel? Yasmín Esquivel is a minister in Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice.
- What are the allegations against her? Esquivel is accused of accepting prohibited campaign contributions, including promotional materials and equipment, from the State of Mexico Industrial Union during her campaign kickoff.
- What is the proposed fine? Magistrate Reyes Rodríguez Mondragón proposes a fine of over 16,000 pesos against Esquivel.
- Why is there a disagreement? The magistrate believes it’s unnecessary to await other sanction procedures’ conclusion, as Esquivel’s conduct is clearly defined in the law. Meanwhile, Esquivel argues that her participation was permitted, the items weren’t campaign propaganda, and the fine is incorrect and disproportionate.
- What’s next? The magistrate’s proposal may be reviewed by the full Tribunal Electoral del Poder Judicial de la Federación (TEPJF) in the coming days.
