Latin America Advisor 2024-09-18 – Inter-American Dialogue

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

September 18, 2024

What Will the Judicial Reform Mean for Mexico?

Just weeks before leaving office, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador won approval for his overhaul of the country’s judiciary. // File Photo: @lopezobrador_ via X.

Q

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s controversial judicial reform, which requires thousands of judges, including Supreme Court justices, to stand for election rather than be appointed, took effect on Sunday. In just over a week this month, and despite protests, both chambers of Congress and a majority of states approved the constitutional change, just before López Obrador leaves office Oct. 1. The president says the overhaul will weed out corruption from the judiciary, but opponents say it will politicize the judiciary and concentrate power in the hands of the ruling party. What does the overhaul mean for the rule of law in Mexico? To what extent does it undermine checks and balances, as its critics contend? What potential risk does it impose on investment in the country, and how might international agreements, such as the USMCA be affected?

A

Ricardo J. Alvarez-Pimentel, assistant professor of history at Baylor University: “Calling for the direct election of judges, Mexico’s judicial overhaul comes as other nations grapple with similar challenges. Earlier this year, U.S. President Joe Biden considered making Supreme Court reform an issue of his re-election campaign after a series of ethics controversies diminished the court’s credibility among voters. When viewed in this light, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s efforts are neither radical nor uncommon. And President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum has recently noted, in fact, that local and state judges in the United States regularly undergo a partisan primary, compete in general elections and run for re-election. By electing her to the highest office, a resounding majority of Mexicans all but…”

Top News

Morales Backers, Critics Clash at March

At least 13 people were injured when counterprotesters confronted thousands of participants at a march in support of former Bolivian President Evo Morales.

Brazil Seeking to Bar Use of Credit Cards in Online Gambling

Brazil’s finance minister said people experiencing financial problems because of online gambling has become an “epidemic.”

Two Killed in ELN Attack on Colombia Military Base

Two Colombian soldiers and more than 20 others were killed in an attack on a military base in Arauca province. President Gustavo Petro said the attack virtually ends the government’s peace process with the rebels. // File Photo: Colombian Government.

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The Inter-American Dialogue publishes the Latin America Advisor every business day for a distinguished membership of informed corporate leaders, scholars, and government officials invested in Latin America’s development and future. The Advisor‘s highly regarded Q&A section covers questions submitted by subscribers themselves. Commentators regularly include heads of state, business leaders, diplomats, economists, analysts, and thought leaders from around the world. Many of the world’s largest and fastest-growing companies subscribe to the Advisor. To subscribe, click here. For terms and conditions, click here. For more information, contact Gene Kuleta, editor of the Advisor, at gkuleta@thedialogue.org.

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Gene Kuleta
Editor
P. 202.463.2920
E. gkuleta@thedialogue.org

Carl David
Goette-Luciak
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Reporter

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Diego Arria
Director,
Columbus Group

Merike Blofield
Professor of Political Science,
University of Hamburg

Devry Boughner Vorwerk
CEO,
DevryBV Sustainable Strategies

Joyce Chang
Global Head of Research,
J.P. Morgan

Marlene Fernández
Corporate Vice President for Gov’t Relations,
Arcos Dorados (McDonald’s)

Peter Hakim
President Emeritus,
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Donna Hrinak
Director,
Adtalem Global Education

Jon E. Huenemann
Council Member,
GLG Inc.

James R. Jones
Chairman,
Monarch Global Strategies

Craig Kelly
Senior Director,
Int’l Gov’t Relations,
Exxon Mobil

Barbara Kotschwar
Professor of Political Economy,
Georgetown University

John Maisto
Director,
US Education Finance Group

Nicolas Mariscal
Chairman,
Grupo Marhnos

Thomas F. McLarty III
Chairman,
McLarty Associates

Beatrice Rangel
Director,
AMLA Consulting

Ernesto Revilla
Head of Latin American Economics, Citi

Gustavo Roosen
President,
IESA

Andrés Rozental
President, Rozental &
Asociados

Shelly Shetty
Managing Director,
Sovereigns, Fitch

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