AREQUIPA, Peru – Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) announced on Monday a “pause” in relations with the United States ambassador, Ken Salazar, and the Canadian embassy.
The president made the announcement during his morning conference of August 27, which was motivated by the recent statements of both diplomats against the proposed reform of the Judicial Branch, which seeks the popular election of judges and magistrates in Mexico.
AMLO described Salazar’s intervention as “imprudent” after the American diplomat expressed his concerns about judicial reform at a recent conference. “As long as I am here, we will not allow it,” the Mexican president emphasized.
He also explained that the “pause” in relations means that his government is going to take a “break,” which implies a temporary distancing in bilateral communication.
AMLO’s statements this Monday from the National Palace mark a phase of tension in diplomacy between Mexico and its North American partners, at a key moment of political reforms in the Latin American country.
Reform of the Judiciary
The reform that has been the focus of the diplomatic conflict focuses on the election of judges, ministers and magistrates by vote at the polls.
Contemplates two electionsto replace all members of the Judiciary, an extraordinary election to be held next June; and a second election in June 2027, at the same time as the federal midterm elections.
In addition, it establishes the dismantling of the Judicial Council to make way for an administrative body to manage the judicial career, and creates a Judicial Disciplinary Court, which was described by AMLO’s opposition as “the inquisition”.
The reform also allows for extending the term of office of the magistrates of the Electoral Court. of the Judiciary of the Federation (TEPJF) until 2027, so that they are the ones who qualify the elections of judges that will take place in 2025 and in 2027 itself.
