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TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
US threatens Mexican flights over cargo, competition issues
The transportation department alleges Mexico has violated a bilateral air agreement by slashing slots for passenger flights and forcing all-cargo carriers to relocate operations. Then-president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador defended the decisions, arguing the capital's main airport was too crowded and the new, farther-away Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA) could handle the extra traffic. Officials are rushing to renovate the ageing Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) ahead of next year's World Cup, for which Mexico is a host country. 'By restricting slots and mandating that all-cargo operations move out of MEX, Mexico has broken its promise, disrupted the market and left American businesses holding the bag for millions in increased costs,' the transportation department said. The AIFA is at full capacity for cargo handling and needs to be expanded. For passenger flights, it lags far behind MEX as transportation to and from the city remains spotty. 'The move not only disrupted critical air cargo operations and set a dangerous precedent for how all-cargo carriers may be treated in global markets, it also created uncertainty about how potential safety emergencies could be handled,' said the Cargo Airline Association, which represents major US cargo carriers. Mexico's transportation ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The transportation department issued orders requiring Mexican airlines to file schedules with the department for all their US operations by a late-July deadline while requiring prior US approval for large charter flights to or from the US. Airlines set to be affected by the measures, including Volaris and Viva Aerobus, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. If the US rescinds antitrust approval for Delta and Aeromexico, they would be required to end their co-operation on pricing, capacity and revenue sharing. Delta would be able to retain its equity stake in Aeromexico and continue other aspects of its partnership. The transportation department also said it could take action against European countries over limitations at airports.
Arab Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
US announces limits on Mexican flights
WASHINGTON, July 20, (Xinhua): The US government announced on Saturday new limits on Mexican flights, accusing Mexico of violating the bilateral air agreement on aviation access and fairness. Mexico has not been in compliance with the 2015 US-Mexico Air Transport Agreement since 2022 "when it abruptly rescinded slots and then forced US all-cargo carriers to relocate operations," the US Department of Transportation said in a statement. Mexico's then-President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador argued that the capital's main airport Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) was overcrowded, requiring renovation ahead of the upcoming World Cup, partly to be held in Mexico in 2026, and that a newer airport about 48 km away could manage the extra traffic. "By restricting slots and mandating that all-cargo operations move out of MEX, Mexico has broken its promise, disrupted the market, and left American businesses holding the bag for millions in increased costs," said the statement. The three "America First actions" announced by US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy will include requiring Mexican airlines to file schedules with the US Department of Transportation for all their US operations, requiring prior department approval before operating any large passenger or cargo aircraft charter flights to or from the United States, and the department might withdraw antitrust immunity from the Delta Air Lines joint venture with Aeromexico, the flag carrier of Mexico, to address competitive issues in the market. Delta and Aeromexico, starting their partnership in 2016, have been fighting the department's threats since early last year. The airlines have argued that it's unfair to punish them for the Mexican government's actions. They estimated ending their partnership would harm nearly two dozen routes and 800 million US dollars in annual consumer savings.
Al Jazeera
02-06-2025
- General
- Al Jazeera
Turnout low as Mexico votes in controversial judicial election
A landmark vote to select judges in Mexico has been labelled a 'success' by the president despite a sparse turnout and widespread confusion. Just 13 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in Sunday's vote to overhaul the court system. President Claudia Sheinbaum proclaimed that the election would make Mexico more democratic, but critics accused her of seeking to take control of the judiciary, while analysts warned it could open the way for criminals to seize influence. The vote, a cornerstone policy of Sheinbaum and predecessor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, aimed to fill about 880 federal judicial positions, including Supreme Court justices, as well as hundreds of local judges and magistrates. But many voters said they struggled to make informed choices among a flood of largely unknown candidates, who were barred from openly disclosing party affiliations or engaging in widespread campaigning. Al Jazeera's John Holman reported from Mexico City that polling stations were 'largely empty'. 'On what the government planned to be a historic day, the majority of Mexicans prefer to do something else,' he said. Still, Sheinbaum hailed the election as 'a complete success' that makes the country a democratic trailblazer. 'Mexico is a country that is only becoming more free, just and democratic because that is the will of the people,' the president said. The reform, defended by supporters as necessary to cleanse a corrupt justice system, was originally championed by Sheinbaum's predecessor, Lopez Obrador, who frequently clashed with the old judiciary. Experts had warned that turnout would be unusually low due to the sheer number of candidates and the unfamiliarity of judicial voting. To be properly informed, voters 'would have to spend hours and hours researching the track record and the profiles of each of the hundreds of candidates', said David Shirk, a professor at the University of San Diego. That concern was echoed by voters at the polls. 'We are not very prepared,' said Lucia Calderon, a 63-year-old university teacher. 'I think we need more information.' Francisco Torres de Leon, a 62-year-old retired teacher in southern Mexico, called the process 'painstaking because there are too many candidates and positions that they're going to fill'. Beyond logistical challenges, analysts and rights groups raised fears that powerful criminal groups could use the elections to further infiltrate the judiciary. While corruption already exists, 'there is reason to believe that elections may be more easily infiltrated by organised crime than other methods of judicial selection', said Margaret Satterthwaite, the United Nations special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers. Although all candidates were supposed to have legal experience, no criminal record and a 'good reputation', several have been linked to organised crime and corruption scandals. Rights group Defensorxs identified about 20 candidates it considers 'high risk', including Silvia Delgado, a former lawyer for Sinaloa cartel cofounder Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman. Another candidate, in Durango state, previously served nearly six years in a US prison for drug offences. Election results are expected in the coming days. A second round of judicial elections is scheduled for 2027 to fill hundreds more positions.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mexico holds controversial vote to elect judges and magistrates
Mexico held its first judicial elections Sunday, making it the only nation in the world to select judges and magistrates by popular vote. Supporters of the controversial election believe this is needed to overhaul its judicial system known for corruption and inefficiency. But critics say the vote will politicize the judiciary in a country plagued by crime and gang violence. President Claudia Sheinbaum has staunchly defended the decision to hold these elections. The elections were championed by her predecessor and mentor, former president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. "Those who want the regime of corruption and privileges in the judiciary to continue say this election is rigged. Or they also say it's so a political party can take over the Supreme Court. Nothing could be further from the truth," she said in a video message. Opponents of the vote marched in Mexico City, chanting slogans like "hands off our democracy" and "no to electoral fraud." "It was the last counterweight we had against the totalitarianism of the executive branch," 58-year-old Ismael Novela told AFP news agency about the judiciary. Voters had to elect around 880 federal judges — including Supreme Court justices — as well as hundreds of local judges and magistrates. Another election for the remaining judicial positions will be held in 2027. Turnout appeared to be low as many voters struggled to choose from hundreds of largely unknown candidates. "We are not very prepared. I think we need more information," Lucia Calderon, a 63-year-old university teacher told AFP. Some voters said they felt pressurized to vote, while others said they felt disillusioned with the corrupt system. "I'm not interested (in voting). Parties and their messages — they come and they go. It's all the same," Raul Bernal, a factory worker told the AP news agency. Rights group Defensorxs said it considered around 20 candidates "high risk," including Silvia Delgado, a former lawyer for the Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru
DW
02-06-2025
- Politics
- DW
Mexico holds controversial vote to elect judges – DW – 06/02/2025
Mexico became the first nation in the world to hold an election for the judicial system. Turnout appeared to be low as many voters struggled to choose from hundreds of largely unknown candidates. Mexico held its first judicial elections Sunday, making it the only nation in the world to select judges and magistrates by popular vote. Supporters of the controversial election believe this is needed to overhaul its judicial system known for corruption and inefficiency. But critics say the vote will politicize the judiciary in a country plagued by crime and gang violence. President Claudia Sheinbaum has staunchly defended the decision to hold these elections. The elections were championed by her predecessor and mentor, former president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. "Those who want the regime of corruption and privileges in the judiciary to continue say this election is rigged. Or they also say it's so a political party can take over the Supreme Court. Nothing could be further from the truth," she said in a video message. Opponents of the vote marched in Mexico City, chanting slogans like "hands off our democracy" and "no to electoral fraud." "It was the last counterweight we had against the totalitarianism of the executive branch," 58-year-old Ismael Novela told AFP news agency about the judiciary. Tough task for voters Voters had to elect around 880 federal judges — including Supreme Court justices — as well as hundreds of local judges and magistrates. Another election for the remaining judicial positions will be held in 2027. Turnout appeared to be low as many voters struggled to choose from hundreds of largely unknown candidates. "We are not very prepared. I think we need more information," Lucia Calderon, a 63-year-old university teacher told AFP. Some voters said they felt pressurized to vote, while others said they felt disillusioned with the corrupt system. "I'm not interested (in voting). Parties and their messages — they come and they go. It's all the same," Raul Bernal, a factory worker told the AP news agency. Rights group Defensorxs said it considered around 20 candidates "high risk," including Silvia Delgado, a former lawyer for the Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. Hundreds of thousands displaced by gang violence in Mexico To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru
