A significant majority of Mexico’s Supreme Court judges have resigned, announcing they will not participate in elections under new judicial reforms allowing voters to elect all judges nationwide starting next year. This decision, made public on Wednesday, has ignited protests and heightened diplomatic tensions. Eight of the 11 justices, including Court President Norma Pina, will not run in the June 2025 elections, with most resignations effective in August.
These resignations come as the Court prepares to evaluate a proposal challenging the constitutionality of the judge elections. President Claudia Sheinbaum reacted strongly, asserting that the Court lacks the authority to overturn a reform that has already passed through Congress. “Eight individuals want to change a reform that affects the people of Mexico… Do they understand the implications?” Sheinbaum remarked during a press conference.
Sheinbaum suggested that the resigning judges may be influenced by financial incentives, pointing out that they would retain full retirement benefits if they resign now, which might be lost under the new system. “If they resign now, they keep all their benefits. If they stay, they risk losing them,” she stated.
Former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who initiated the reforms in September, argued that the judicial overhaul is crucial for combating corruption and serving the public rather than elite interests. Critics, however, warn that electing judges could threaten judicial independence, exposing them to political pressure or threats from powerful drug cartels.
Throughout his presidency, Lopez Obrador often criticized the Supreme Court for blocking several of his key initiatives, particularly in energy and security. Sheinbaum, a close ally of Lopez Obrador and Mexico’s first female president, has been a strong proponent of the reforms.
The changes have raised concerns among Mexico’s economic partners, including the United States and Canada, unsettling financial markets. Washington has cautioned that this alteration to Mexico’s judiciary could diminish investor confidence in the country’s legal system, potentially impacting international relations and trade agreements.
