Mexican President Slams US Criticism of Judicial Reform as ‘Interference

MEXICO CITY — ‍The President of Mexico, on Friday, expressed his displeasure over the U.S. ambassador’s critique of his⁢ proposed judicial reform bill, terming it as disrespectful. He⁢ highlighted ⁤what he perceives as a long-standing “interventionist policy”‌ led by the U.S. across the‍ Americas.

President Andres ⁣Manuel Lopez ‌Obrador, who is nearing ‌the end of his term, has‌ prioritized the passage of ⁢this contentious⁣ judicial⁤ reform. The‍ proposed bill, if passed, would allow judges to⁢ be elected through a⁣ popular vote.

U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar, on ​Thursday, expressed his concerns ⁢over the proposal, labeling it as a potential threat to Mexican democracy. He warned that it⁢ could expose the judiciary to manipulation by organized crime groups and jeopardize the U.S.-Mexico trade ‌relationship.

These remarks, coming from‍ Mexico’s largest trading ⁣partner,⁢ have significantly escalated the tensions between the two nations​ over this issue.

In his‌ regular morning​ press briefing, Lopez Obrador passionately defended his ⁤proposed ‍reform, which is ​scheduled for a congressional vote in September, ⁤during his last month in office. He believes that this reform would‍ empower Mexican judges to fight corruption and ‍purge the judiciary of what he⁤ frequently‍ criticizes as corrupt elements.

The president’s ‌leftist ​Morena party and its allies, who secured sweeping congressional ⁤majorities in ⁣the general election in June, are likely to‌ have the​ two-thirds vote required to incorporate the reform into the country’s constitution.

“There has been … a‍ lack of⁣ respect for our sovereignty, like this unfortunate, reckless statement from Ambassador Ken Salazar⁢ yesterday,” Lopez Obrador stated.

“We do not accept any representative of foreign⁢ governments intervening ​in affairs that solely concern us,” ​he ​further ‍added.

On⁤ Friday, Salazar responded, ⁢stating on X that his comments were made “in the spirit of collaboration” and that he was willing to⁢ meet with Mexican leaders to ⁣discuss the matter.

Marcelo Ebrard, ⁢Mexico’s⁣ incoming ⁢Economy Minister, also assured on⁤ Friday that ⁣the proposed reform⁤ would ‍not affect the trade ‌relations between the two neighboring countries, including ⁢the‌ upcoming review of the trilateral USMCA trade pact with Canada in 2026.

“What are ⁣you ‍talking about?” he retorted in ‌English, before switching to ​Spanish. “Don’t threaten us with ‌that.”

Ebrard, who ⁤will lead trade negotiations when President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum assumes office ⁣in⁣ October, accused ⁢Salazar‍ of hypocrisy. He pointed out‌ that many judges ​in the U.S.⁣ are elected, although U.S.⁤ Supreme Court justices and other federal ⁤judges ‍are appointed.

The proposal in Mexico suggests‍ that all ​Supreme Court justices‌ be ‌elected through a vote next year, along with ⁢half of the magistrates and judges. Another vote for ⁢the remaining positions would be held in 2027.