Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has announced a temporary halt in diplomatic relations with the US and Canadian embassies following criticism of his proposal to have judges elected by popular vote. The move was revealed during López Obrador's daily press conference, where he emphasized that the pause is directed at the embassies and not the countries themselves.
The proposed judicial reform is part of a broader package of constitutional changes that López Obrador has been advocating for, with the aim of strengthening Mexico's institutions. The reform, which includes controversial elements such as the election of judges by popular vote, has sparked concerns both domestically and internationally.
US Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, expressed reservations about the proposed judicial reform, warning that it could pose a risk to Mexico's democracy and potentially impact trade relations between the two countries. Similarly, Canada's ambassador in Mexico, Graeme Clark, raised concerns about the potential impact of the reforms on investors and autonomous bodies.
López Obrador defended his reform agenda, stating that the changes are aimed at upholding constitutional rights and promoting values such as humanism, justice, honesty, and democracy. However, critics argue that the reforms could undermine the separation of powers and weaken independent regulatory agencies.
The proposed reforms also include the elimination and consolidation of various regulatory bodies, with the government justifying these actions as a means to streamline operations and prevent duplication of functions. One such body facing closure is the Personal Data Protection Institute (INAI), which had previously initiated an investigation against López Obrador.
As the debate over the judicial reform continues, US lawmakers have expressed concerns about the potential implications for economic and security interests shared between the US and Mexico. The US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee highlighted the need to ensure that any constitutional changes align with existing trade agreements, including the US-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement.
While the diplomatic tensions persist, López Obrador remains steadfast in his commitment to enacting constitutional reforms that he believes will strengthen Mexico's democratic institutions and uphold core principles of governance.
