Background and Relevance
The Organization of American States (OAS) has recently released a preliminary report critiquing Mexico’s judicial election process that took place on June 1, 2023. The Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) responded by rejecting certain recommendations, asserting that the OAS Mission of Electoral Observation exceeded its mandate and violated the organization’s principles.
SRE’s Response
In a diplomatic note to the OAS Secretary General, the SRE clarified that Article 3 of the OAS Charter grants each state the right to choose its political, economic, and social systems without external interference. The Mission of Electoral Observation does not have the authority to impose its own criteria on how countries form their judicial powers.
Moreover, the SRE stated that the OAS cannot issue value judgments beyond its purview and that the organization of the elections adhered to Mexico’s constitutional norms and electoral laws.
OAS Recommendations
The OAS Mission of Electoral Observation, composed of 16 commissioners from ten member countries, criticized the judicial election process in Mexico. According to a preliminary report, delegates highlighted the complexity and polarization of the process along with multiple “gaps.”
The mission expressed concern over the low voter turnout, which accounted for approximately 13% of the electoral register—equivalent to around 13 million people. The OAS delegation, led by former Chilean Foreign Minister Heraldo Muñoz, emphasized that this model should not be replicated by other countries in the region.
The OAS mission pointed out that proposed candidates from the three branches of government were not subjected to thorough knowledge assessments, which did not guarantee that elected individuals possessed the technical proficiency, suitability, and specific skills required for each position.
Additionally, the mission noted insufficient time for citizens to challenge candidacies and pointed out that the possibility of re-election would force judges to balance their work with campaigning.
Reactions Following the Election
Among those elected in Mexico is attorney Hugo Aguilar, who will preside the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) after garnering over 6 million votes.
President Claudia Sheinbaum declared the election a “success” and downplayed voter participation, stating that 13 million votes surpass the previous number of senatorial votes casting judicial appointments.
It’s worth noting that the judicial reform was championed by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and implemented by Sheinbaum amidst a conflict with the Supreme Court, which had blocked several of López Obrador’s projects.
Key Questions and Answers
- What were the OAS recommendations regarding Mexico’s judicial elections? The OAS Mission of Electoral Observation criticized the low voter turnout, lack of thorough candidate assessments, insufficient time for challenges to candidacies, and the potential conflict of interest due to re-election possibilities.
- Why did Mexico reject the OAS recommendations? The SRE argued that the OAS Mission exceeded its mandate, violated organizational principles, and issued value judgments beyond its purview. Mexico maintained that the election process adhered to constitutional norms and electoral laws.
- Who were some of the elected judges in Mexico? Among those elected is attorney Hugo Aguilar, who will preside the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN).
- What was the voter turnout for Mexico’s judicial elections? Approximately 13% of the electoral register participated, which is around 13 million people.
- What was President Claudia Sheinbaum’s stance on the election results? Sheinbaum declared the election a success and downplayed voter participation, emphasizing that 13 million votes exceeded previous senatorial votes for judicial appointments.
