Latest news with #Joaquin"ElChapo"Guzman
France 24
6 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
Chapo's ex-lawyer among Mexico's 'high-risk' aspiring judges
Her candidacy is one of the most controversial in elections beginning on Sunday that will make Mexico the world's only country to choose all of its judges and magistrates by popular vote. But Delgado is not the only contender whose suitability to dispense justice has been called into question. Other hopefuls include a man who was imprisoned in the United States for drug crimes, even though those taking part are supposed to have no criminal record. Candidates must have a law degree, experience in legal affairs and what is termed "a good reputation." But that did not prevent a former prosecutor accused of threatening two journalists who were later murdered from getting his name on the ballot. Delgado, 51, was a member of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's legal team in Ciudad Juarez, where the Sinaloa cartel co-founder was detained before being extradited to the United States in 2017. "I've defended many people," she told AFP in an interview, saying that having assisted Guzman in his hearings did not make her a criminal. "Every person has the right to counsel," she said, talking up her experience to voters. "You're going to have an impartial and knowledgeable judge," she told a street vendor near a border crossing between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, Texas. 'The most imperfect' Delgado is one of around 20 candidates identified by rights group Defensorxs as "high-risk" for reasons including allegations of cartel links, corruption and sexual abuse. Defensorxs describes Delgado as someone who "defends alleged drug traffickers." It is a sensitive issue in Mexico, where criminal violence has claimed more than 480,000 lives since 2006 and left around 120,000 people missing. A violent split in the Sinaloa cartel -- one of several Mexican drug trafficking groups that have been designated terrorist organizations by US President Donald Trump -- has resulted in 1,200 deaths since September. Also on the Defensorxs list is Leopoldo Chavez, an aspiring federal judge in the northern state of Durango. He was imprisoned for almost six years in the United States between 2015 and 2021 for methamphetamine trafficking. "I've never sold myself to you as the perfect candidate," he said in a video posted on social media. "I'm the most imperfect, but the one who most wants to get this done. Fernando Escamilla, who is standing to be a judge in the northern state of Nuevo Leon, was a lawyer for Miguel Angel Trevino, a former leaders of Los Zetas, a cartel known for its brutality. '0.01 percent' In the western state of Michoacan, candidate Francisco Herrera is accused by the press of having threatened journalists Roberto Toledo and Armando Linares, who were murdered in 2022. He denies any involvement. In neighboring Jalisco state, Job Daniel Wong is a minister of the Mexican mega-church La Luz Del Mundo, whose leader Naason Joaquin Garcia was convicted in the United States of sexual abusing minors. President Claudia Sheinbaum has downplayed the importance of the controversial candidacies, saying "it's 0.01 percent" of all those standing. Her ruling party promoted the elections, which it says are needed to combat corruption and impunity. Critics say criminal groups who regularly use violence, threats and bribery will seek to increase their influence over the courts by meddling in the vote. The ruling party's Senate leader, Gerardo Fernandez Norona, has said that lawyers who represented drug traffickers "should not participate." The electoral authority will only assess the validity of their candidacies after the elections. Defensorxs director Miguel Alfonso Meza blames the situation on the haste with which the constitutional reform was passed and the lack of rigor in vetting candidacies. "It's impressive that to be a municipal traffic officer you have to take an exam, but to be a criminal judge who resolves cases involving a cartel, all you have to do is send your resume," he said.
eNCA
28-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
In world first, Mexican voters to elect all judges
MEXICO CITY - Mexico is set to become the world's only country to let voters elect all of their judges, sparking sharp disagreement about whether the reforms will diminish or strengthen criminal influence over the courts. The government says the unprecedented popular vote for judges and magistrates at all levels -- including the Supreme Court -- is needed to address rampant corruption and impunity. Critics argue it will undermine the judiciary's independence and warn the participation of controversial candidates -- such as a former lawyer for notorious drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman -- means it is doomed to backfire. On Sunday, voters will choose several thousand federal, district and local judges and magistrates. Another election for the remainder will be held in 2027. Not just anybody can run for one of these jobs. Candidates must have a law degree, experience in legal affairs, what is termed "a good reputation," and no criminal record. Opponents, including judicial workers, have held a series of mass street protests in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the reforms. "Justice is not something you vote for" and it needs people with experience and specialized knowledge, said Olimpia Rojas Luviano, a 28-year-old lawyer. But Maria del Rocio Morales, a judge who is standing to be a magistrate in the capital, said she was happy to take part. "For the good of my city and my country, I will do it," she said. President Claudia Sheinbaum has played down signs that many voters are unlikely to take part in the vote . "People are very intelligent and know who they are going to vote for," the veteran left-winger said. According to surveys by the El Universal and El Pais newspapers, only half of voters know the election date, and only four out of 10 are certain they will participate. - 'Rotten' judiciary - While judicial elections are not new -- the United States and Bolivia, for instance, allow voters to pick some judges -- Mexico will be the only nation to elect them at all levels. The reform was championed by Sheinbaum's predecessor and mentor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who criticized the judicial system as "rotten," corrupt and serving the interests of the political and economic elite. Mexico has a long history of human rights violations that remain unpunished, including the disappearance of 43 students from a teacher training college in 2014, allegedly at the hands of drug traffickers and corrupt authorities. Despite dozens of arrests, there have been no convictions. AFP/File | VICTOR CRUZ Mexico's criminal justice system "is profoundly ineffective at ensuring accountability for criminal violence and abuses by security forces," according to New York-based Human Right Watch. Lopez Obrador frequently clashed with the judiciary, in particular the Supreme Court, which impeded some of his policies. Sheinbaum, who replaced him in October, is a staunch supporter of the sweeping changes. Her opponents say they will eliminate democratic checks and balances. Sheinbaum's ruling party already dominates both houses of Congress. Opponents warn that elected judges could be more vulnerable to pressure from criminals, in a country where powerful drug cartels regularly use bribery and intimidation to influence officials. Rights group Defensorxs has identified around 20 candidates it considers "high risk" for reasons including allegations of cartel links, corruption and sexual abuse, even though one of the requirements for running is to have no criminal record. These people include Silvia Delgado, a former lawyer for "El Chapo," the Sinaloa cartel co-founder imprisoned in the United States. Defensorxs describes her as a candidate who "defends alleged drug traffickers." Delgado, who is standing to be a judge in the northern state of Chihuahua, told AFP: "Every person has the right to counsel." Another controversial candidate seeking to be a district judge in the northern state of Durango served prison time in the United States for drug crimes, according to Defensorxs. A major concern for voters is the complexity of a vote that will require people in Mexico City to mark nine ballots for local and federal judges. "I think even the people who devised it don't know how to do it," said Rojas Luviano. By Jean Arce
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
In world first, Mexican voters to elect all judges
Mexico is set to become the world's only country to let voters elect all of their judges, sparking sharp disagreement about whether the reforms will diminish or strengthen criminal influence over the courts. The government says the unprecedented popular vote for judges and magistrates at all levels -- including the Supreme Court -- is needed to address rampant corruption and impunity. Critics argue it will undermine the judiciary's independence and warn the participation of controversial candidates -- such as a former lawyer for notorious drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman -- means it is doomed to backfire. On Sunday, voters will choose several thousand federal, district and local judges and magistrates. Another election for the remainder will be held in 2027. Not just anybody can run for one of these jobs. Candidates must have a law degree, experience in legal affairs, what is termed "a good reputation," and no criminal record. Opponents, including judicial workers, have held a series of mass street protests in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the reforms. "Justice is not something you vote for" and it needs people with experience and specialized knowledge, said Olimpia Rojas Luviano, a 28-year-old lawyer. But Maria del Rocio Morales, a judge who is standing to be a magistrate in the capital, said she was happy to take part. "For the good of my city and my country, I will do it," she said. President Claudia Sheinbaum has played down signs that many voters are unlikely to take part in the vote . "People are very intelligent and know who they are going to vote for," the veteran left-winger said. According to surveys by the El Universal and El Pais newspapers, only half of voters know the election date, and only four out of 10 are certain they will participate. - 'Rotten' judiciary - While judicial elections are not new -- the United States and Bolivia, for instance, allow voters to pick some judges -- Mexico will be the only nation to elect them at all levels. The reform was championed by Sheinbaum's predecessor and mentor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who criticized the judicial system as "rotten," corrupt and serving the interests of the political and economic elite. Mexico has a long history of human rights violations that remain unpunished, including the disappearance of 43 students from a teacher training college in 2014, allegedly at the hands of drug traffickers and corrupt authorities. Despite dozens of arrests, there have been no convictions. Mexico's criminal justice system "is profoundly ineffective at ensuring accountability for criminal violence and abuses by security forces," according to New York-based Human Right Watch. Lopez Obrador frequently clashed with the judiciary, in particular the Supreme Court, which impeded some of his policies. Sheinbaum, who replaced him in October, is a staunch supporter of the sweeping changes. Her opponents say they will eliminate democratic checks and balances. Sheinbaum's ruling party already dominates both houses of Congress. Opponents warn that elected judges could be more vulnerable to pressure from criminals, in a country where powerful drug cartels regularly use bribery and intimidation to influence officials. Rights group Defensorxs has identified around 20 candidates it considers "high risk" for reasons including allegations of cartel links, corruption and sexual abuse, even though one of the requirements for running is to have no criminal record. These people include Silvia Delgado, a former lawyer for "El Chapo," the Sinaloa cartel co-founder imprisoned in the United States. Defensorxs describes her as a candidate who "defends alleged drug traffickers." Delgado, who is standing to be a judge in the northern state of Chihuahua, told AFP: "Every person has the right to counsel." Another controversial candidate seeking to be a district judge in the northern state of Durango served prison time in the United States for drug crimes, according to Defensorxs. A major concern for voters is the complexity of a vote that will require people in Mexico City to mark nine ballots for local and federal judges. "I think even the people who devised it don't know how to do it," said Rojas Luviano. jla-dr/dw
Int'l Business Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
In World First, Mexican Voters To Elect All Judges
Mexico is set to become the world's only country to let voters elect all of their judges, sparking sharp disagreement about whether the reforms will diminish or strengthen criminal influence over the courts. The government says the unprecedented popular vote for judges and magistrates at all levels -- including the Supreme Court -- is needed to address rampant corruption and impunity. Critics argue it will undermine the judiciary's independence and warn the participation of controversial candidates -- such as a former lawyer for notorious drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman -- means it is doomed to backfire. On Sunday, voters will choose several thousand federal, district and local judges and magistrates. Another election for the remainder will be held in 2027. Not just anybody can run for one of these jobs. Candidates must have a law degree, experience in legal affairs, what is termed "a good reputation," and no criminal record. Opponents, including judicial workers, have held a series of mass street protests in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the reforms. "Justice is not something you vote for" and it needs people with experience and specialized knowledge, said Olimpia Rojas Luviano, a 28-year-old lawyer. But Maria del Rocio Morales, a judge who is standing to be a magistrate in the capital, said she was happy to take part. "For the good of my city and my country, I will do it," she said. President Claudia Sheinbaum has played down signs that many voters are unlikely to take part in the vote . "People are very intelligent and know who they are going to vote for," the veteran left-winger said. According to surveys by the El Universal and El Pais newspapers, only half of voters know the election date, and only four out of 10 are certain they will participate. While judicial elections are not new -- the United States and Bolivia, for instance, allow voters to pick some judges -- Mexico will be the only nation to elect them at all levels. The reform was championed by Sheinbaum's predecessor and mentor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who criticized the judicial system as "rotten," corrupt and serving the interests of the political and economic elite. Mexico has a long history of human rights violations that remain unpunished, including the disappearance of 43 students from a teacher training college in 2014, allegedly at the hands of drug traffickers and corrupt authorities. Despite dozens of arrests, there have been no convictions. Mexico's criminal justice system "is profoundly ineffective at ensuring accountability for criminal violence and abuses by security forces," according to New York-based Human Right Watch. Lopez Obrador frequently clashed with the judiciary, in particular the Supreme Court, which impeded some of his policies. Sheinbaum, who replaced him in October, is a staunch supporter of the sweeping changes. Her opponents say they will eliminate democratic checks and balances. Sheinbaum's ruling party already dominates both houses of Congress. Opponents warn that elected judges could be more vulnerable to pressure from criminals, in a country where powerful drug cartels regularly use bribery and intimidation to influence officials. Rights group Defensorxs has identified around 20 candidates it considers "high risk" for reasons including allegations of cartel links, corruption and sexual abuse, even though one of the requirements for running is to have no criminal record. These people include Silvia Delgado, a former lawyer for "El Chapo," the Sinaloa cartel co-founder imprisoned in the United States. Defensorxs describes her as a candidate who "defends alleged drug traffickers." Delgado, who is standing to be a judge in the northern state of Chihuahua, told AFP: "Every person has the right to counsel." Another controversial candidate seeking to be a district judge in the northern state of Durango served prison time in the United States for drug crimes, according to Defensorxs. A major concern for voters is the complexity of a vote that will require people in Mexico City to mark nine ballots for local and federal judges. "I think even the people who devised it don't know how to do it," said Rojas Luviano. President Claudia Sheinbaum says elected judges are needed to tackle corruption and impunity AFP Candidates for Supreme Court justices are among those standing for election AFP
France 24
28-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
In world first, Mexican voters to elect all judges
The government says the unprecedented popular vote for judges and magistrates at all levels -- including the Supreme Court -- is needed to address rampant corruption and impunity. Critics argue it will undermine the judiciary's independence and warn the participation of controversial candidates -- such as a former lawyer for notorious drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman -- means it is doomed to backfire. On Sunday, voters will choose several thousand federal, district and local judges and magistrates. Another election for the remainder will be held in 2027. Not just anybody can run for one of these jobs. Candidates must have a law degree, experience in legal affairs, what is termed "a good reputation," and no criminal record. Opponents, including judicial workers, have held a series of mass street protests in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the reforms. "Justice is not something you vote for" and it needs people with experience and specialized knowledge, said Olimpia Rojas Luviano, a 28-year-old lawyer. But Maria del Rocio Morales, a judge who is standing to be a magistrate in the capital, said she was happy to take part. "For the good of my city and my country, I will do it," she said. President Claudia Sheinbaum has played down signs that many voters are unlikely to take part in the vote . "People are very intelligent and know who they are going to vote for," the veteran left-winger said. According to surveys by the El Universal and El Pais newspapers, only half of voters know the election date, and only four out of 10 are certain they will participate. 'Rotten' judiciary While judicial elections are not new -- the United States and Bolivia, for instance, allow voters to pick some judges -- Mexico will be the only nation to elect them at all levels. The reform was championed by Sheinbaum's predecessor and mentor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who criticized the judicial system as "rotten," corrupt and serving the interests of the political and economic elite. Mexico has a long history of human rights violations that remain unpunished, including the disappearance of 43 students from a teacher training college in 2014, allegedly at the hands of drug traffickers and corrupt authorities. Despite dozens of arrests, there have been no convictions. Mexico's criminal justice system "is profoundly ineffective at ensuring accountability for criminal violence and abuses by security forces," according to New York-based Human Right Watch. Lopez Obrador frequently clashed with the judiciary, in particular the Supreme Court, which impeded some of his policies. Sheinbaum, who replaced him in October, is a staunch supporter of the sweeping changes. Her opponents say they will eliminate democratic checks and balances. Sheinbaum's ruling party already dominates both houses of Congress. Opponents warn that elected judges could be more vulnerable to pressure from criminals, in a country where powerful drug cartels regularly use bribery and intimidation to influence officials. Rights group Defensorxs has identified around 20 candidates it considers "high risk" for reasons including allegations of cartel links, corruption and sexual abuse, even though one of the requirements for running is to have no criminal record. These people include Silvia Delgado, a former lawyer for "El Chapo," the Sinaloa cartel co-founder imprisoned in the United States. Defensorxs describes her as a candidate who "defends alleged drug traffickers." Delgado, who is standing to be a judge in the northern state of Chihuahua, told AFP: "Every person has the right to counsel." Another controversial candidate seeking to be a district judge in the northern state of Durango served prison time in the United States for drug crimes, according to Defensorxs. A major concern for voters is the complexity of a vote that will require people in Mexico City to mark nine ballots for local and federal judges.
