ONLINE EVENT: After the Vote—What’s Next for Mexico’s Judiciary?

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LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

May 27, 2025

What Will Come of Mexico’s First Judicial Election?

Following last year’s passage of a sweeping judicial reform, Mexico holds its first judicial elections on Sunday. // File Photo: mehaniq41 via Adobe Stock.

Q

  • Fourteen current and former Mexican federal judges filed a petition to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemning Mexico’s recent judicial reform, a group representing the judges announced on May 6, Reuters reported. The reform, which was passed in September, turns all federal judgeships into elected positions, establishing the first elections next month and then again in 2027. What does the reform mean for the independence of Mexico’s judiciary, and what is at stake in the June 1 judicial election? How could the petition filed to the IACHR affect the implementation of the judicial reform? What does the judicial reform and the June election mean for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and her agenda?

A

Joy Monserrat Ochoa Martínez, senior advisor on human rights at the General Coordination for Policy and Government in the Mexican president’s office: “The reform marks a turning point for Mexico’s judiciary, aiming to democratize a system historically plagued by elitism, nepotism and gender bias. By enabling the popular election of judges and ensuring gender parity in nominations and appointments, it seeks to strengthen public trust and enhance representativeness. While concerns about politicization persist, the reform preserves existing legal standards governing the role of judges, meaning judicial decisions must still adhere to constitutional and legal principles. A lesser-known barrier to justice in Mexico is the public’s loss of confidence in the judiciary, leading many to avoid resolving disputes through legal channels. This reform aims to restore trust and encourage…”

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