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With Organized Crime Looming, Mexico’s First Election of Judges Could Be a Dangerous Experiment
On Sunday, Mexico is set to unleash its first-ever election of judges through a popular vote. This groundbreaking constitutional reform, approved by Andrés Manuel López Obrador before handing over the reins to Claudia Sheinbaum, is nothing short of revolutionary – or is it a perilous gamble?
The public process is fraught with … uncertainty and the shadow of abstention. With estimates showing that a mere 10% of voters in urban areas will brave the polls to select judges and magistrates, we must ask ourselves, what will this truly mean for justice in Mexico?
A Chaotic Voting Process in the Making
This unprecedented electoral event will function as a laboratory of democracy—though not without significant dilemmas. The sheer number of positions to vote on could lead to confusion, with voters potentially taking up to 30 minutes just to figure out their ballots. But fear not! Political operatives will step in with their handy ‘accordion’ – a cheat sheet that tells voters who to support, effectively turning this election into a manipulated charade. It’s reported that with their ‘accordion’ in hand, voters will spend mere minutes in the polling station because they’ll be shuttled in and out quickly, armed with bribes for their participation.
Election Under Threat from Criminal Violence
This election is marred by looming threats of criminal violence. In the tumultuous states of Veracruz and Durango, where mayors will also be elected, reports of shootings, candidate murders, and the burning of voting centers are creating fear and anxiety among citizens.
Arguably the biggest question mark of the election day is the behavior of organized crime: will they attempt to influence the results? Despite claims that crime lords previously supported the ruling party under López Obrador, the political landscape has shifted with Sheinbaum’s anti-cartel efforts. She has even deported major drug leaders to face capital punishment in the U.S., leading to uncertainty about criminal organizations’ actions during the election.
Controversial Candidates and a Tainted Process
As it stands, a total of 33 women and 31 men have thrown their hats in the ring for Supreme Court positions. Current minister Yasmín Esquivel, appointed by López Obrador, stands as a front-runner—a beacon of stability, some say, despite scandals surrounding allegations of plagiarism. Meanwhile, her rival, Lenia Batres, harkens from the radical left and could worsen diplomatic ties with the United States.
As Sheinbaum’s government appears detached from these crucial elections, the necessity to maintain healthy relations with the U.S. is evident, especially with the election of judges already receiving scrutiny from Washington and Wall Street investors.
Candidates with Questionable Backgrounds
The most alarming concern of this electoral cycle lies in the possibility of organized crime backing candidates tied to criminal jurisdiction—where releases, probation processes, and even extraditions to the U.S. hang in the balance. With 28 drug lords already deported for prosecution, the risk of individuals with nefarious connections assuming judicial power is unnervingly real.
Despite a ruling party-controlled Congress attempting to contest over 25 suspected candidates with dubious ties, there’s no guarantee they won’t ascend to the bench. The disturbing list includes individuals implicated in embezzlement, sexual abuse, kidnapping, and even links to organized crime—an open invitation for cartels to infiltrate the judiciary.
Even though the National Electoral Institute and the Superior Chamber of Electoral Justice are supposedly regulatory bodies, they’ve allowed these questionable figures to remain in the race based on ongoing investigations. Should these candidates secure votes, the ramifications could be catastrophic—not only for Sheinbaum as she attempts to protect her administration from international scandal but for the future of justice in Mexico.
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