Latest news with #Joaquin'ElChapo'Guzman
The Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Mexico to Elect All Judges in Global First Judicial Reform
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. 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.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
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. 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.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Mexico to elect all judges, sparking debate and concern
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. 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.
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Daily Record
Lions and tigers kept as pets by drug lords dramatically rescued from cartel war
At-risk animals were saved amid fighting between rival cartels in Mexico. Elephants, lions and tigers have had to be dramatically rescued during vicious drug wars - as the exotic animals have been kept by gangsters as pets. The animals were taken to safety by vets and animal sanctuary staff, where violence erupted between rival cartels in the northern Mexican city of Culiacan. The experts loaded the at-risk animals into crates before ferrying them to safety in lorries. The Mirror reports that, for years, exotic pets of cartel members and circus animals have been living in a small animal refuge on the outskirts of Sinaloa's capital. But a bloody power struggle erupted last year between rival Sinaloa Cartel factions. That plunged the region into the worst battles yet, leaving the leaders of the Ostok Sanctuary reeling from armed attacks, constant death threats and a cut-off from essential supplies needed to keep their 700 animals alive. The aid organisation is now leaving Culiacan and transporting the animals hours across the state in hopes that they'll escape the brunt of the violence. But fighting has grown so widespread in the region that many fear it will inevitably catch up. "We've never seen violence this extreme," said Ernesto Zazueta, president of the Ostok Sanctuary. "We're worried for the animals that come here to have a better future." Violence in the city exploded eight months ago when two rival Sinaloa Cartel factions began warring for territory. It came after the dramatic kidnapping of the leader of one of the groups by a son of notorious capo Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, who then delivered him to US authorities via a private plane. Since then, intense fighting between the heavily armed factions has become the new normal for civilians in Culiacan, a city which for years avoided the worst of Mexico's violence. That was in large part because the Sinaloa Cartel maintained such complete control. "With the escalating war between the two factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, they have begun to extort, kidnap and rob cars because they need funds to finance their war," said security analyst David Saucedo. "And the civilians in Culiacan are the ones that suffer." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Mr Zazueta, the sanctuary director, said their flight from the city is another sign of just how far the warfare has seeped into daily life. This week, refuge staff loaded up roaring animals onto a convoy as some trainers attempted to sooth the animals. One said, as he fed a bag of carrots to an elephant in a shipping container, "I'm going to be right here, no one will do anything to you." Veterinarians and animals, accompanied by the Mexican National Guard, began traveling along the freeway to seaside Mazatlan, where they planned to release the animals into another wildlife reserve. The relocation came after months of planning and training the animals, a move made by the organisation in an act of desperation. They said the sanctuary was caught in the crossfire of the warfare because of its proximity to the town of Jesus Maria, a stronghold of Los Chapitos, one of the warring factions. During intense periods of violence, staff at the sanctuary can hear gunshots echoing nearby, the roar of cars and helicopters overhead, something they say scares the animals. Cartel fighting regularly blocks staff from reaching the sanctuary, and some animals have gone days without eating. Many have started to lose fur and at least two animals have died due to the situation, Mr Zazueta said. Complicating matters is the fact that an increasing number of the animals they rescue are former narco pets left abandoned in rural swathes of the state. In one case, a Bengal tiger was discovered chained in a plaza, caught in the centre of shootouts. Urban legends circulate in Sinaloa that capos feed their enemies to pet lions. Diego Garcia, a refuge staff member, is among those who travel out to rescue those animals. He said he regularly receives anonymous threats, with callers claiming to know his address and how to find him. He worries he'll be targeted for taking away the former pets of capos. Mr Zazueta said the refuge also receives calls threatening to burn the sanctuary to the ground and kill the animals if payment isn't made. "There's no safe place left in this city these days," said Mr Garcia. That's the feeling for many in the city of one million. When the sun rises, parents check for news of shootouts as if it were the weather, to determine if it's safe to send their kids to school. Burned houses sit riddled with bullets and occasionally bodies appear hanging from bridges outside the city. By night, Culiacan turns into a ghost town, leaving bars and clubs shuttered and many without work. "My son, my son, I'm here. I'm not going to leave you alone," screamed one mother, sobbing on the side of the road and cursing officials as they inspected her son's dead body, splayed out and surrounded by bullet casings late Monday night. "Why do the police do nothing?" she cried out. In February, while driving a refuge vehicle used for animal transport, Mr Garcia said he was forced from the car by an armed, masked man in an SUV. At gunpoint, they stole the truck, animal medicine and tools used by the group for rescues and left him trembling on the side of the road. The breaking point for the Ostok Sanctuary came in March, when one of the two elephants in their care, Bireki, injured her foot. Vets scrambled to find a specialist to treat her in Mexico, the United States and beyond. No one would brave the trip to Culiacan. "We asked ourselves, 'what are we doing here?'," Mr Zazueta said. "We can't risk this happening again. If we don't leave, who will treat them?" The concern by many is that Mexico's crackdown on the cartels will be met with even more violent power moves by criminal organisations, as has happened in the past, said Saucedo, a security analyst. Mr Zazueta blames local government and security forces for not doing more. He said their pleas for help in the past eight months have gone unanswered. The sanctuary made the move without any public announcement, worried that they might face repercussions from local officials or the same cartels forcing them to flee, but they hope the animals will find some relief in Mazatlan after years of conflict. Garcia, the sanctuary staff member, is not so sure. While he hopes for the best, he said he's also watched cartel violence spread like a cancer across the Latin American country. Mazatlan, too, is also facing bursts of violence, though nothing compared to the Sinaloan capital. "It's at least more stable," he said. "Because here, today, it's just suffocating."
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Drug lords' pet tigers and lions saved from cartel civil war in dramatic rescue
A lion sits in a cage waiting to be transported to Mazatlan (Image: AP) Tigers, lions and elephants are among exotic animals kept as pets by drug lords - and they need rescuing from the crossfire as a deadly battle between cartels intensifies. Vets and other staff at an animal sanctuary have been loading animals in crates onto lorries to take them away from the violence in the northern Mexican city of Culiacan. For years, exotic pets of cartel members and circus animals have been living in a small animal refuge on the outskirts of Sinaloa's capital. But a bloody power struggle erupted last year between rival Sinaloa Cartel factions, plunging the region into the worst battles yet, leaving the leaders of the Ostok Sanctuary reeling from armed attacks, constant death threats and a cut-off from essential supplies needed to keep their 700 animals alive. An elephant given water at the animal refuge Ostok Sanctuary (Image: AP) The aid organisation is now leaving Culiacan and transporting the animals hours across the state in hopes that they'll escape the brunt of the violence. But fighting has grown so widespread in the region that many fear it will inevitably catch up. "We've never seen violence this extreme," said Ernesto Zazueta, president of the Ostok Sanctuary. "We're worried for the animals that come here to have a better future." The military trying to restore order in Sinaloa (Image: The Washington Post via Getty Images) Violence in the city exploded eight months ago when two rival Sinaloa Cartel factions began warring for territory after the dramatic kidnapping of the leader of one of the groups by a son of notorious capo Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, who then delivered him to US authorities via a private plane. Since then, intense fighting between the heavily armed factions has become the new normal for civilians in Culiacan, a city which for years avoided the worst of Mexico's violence in large part because the Sinaloa Cartel maintained such complete control. Staff prepare a lioness for transfer at the animal refuge Ostok Sanctuary (Image: AP) "With the escalating war between the two factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, they have begun to extort, kidnap and rob cars because they need funds to finance their war," said security analyst David Saucedo. "And the civilians in Culiacan are the ones that suffer." Mr Zazueta, the sanctuary director, said their flight from the city is another sign of just how far the warfare has seeped into daily life. This week, refuge staff loaded up roaring animals onto a convoy as some trainers attempted to sooth the animals. One murmured in a soft voice as he fed a bag of carrots to an elephant in a shipping container, "I'm going to be right here, no one will do anything to you." A lioness is carried to a transport cage (Image: AP) Veterinarians and animals, accompanied by the Mexican National Guard, began traveling along the freeway to seaside Mazatlan, where they planned to release the animals into another wildlife reserve. The relocation came after months of planning and training the animals, a move made by the organisation in an act of desperation. They said the sanctuary was caught in the crossfire of the warfare because of its proximity to the town of Jesus Maria, a stronghold of Los Chapitos, one of the warring factions. During intense periods of violence, staff at the sanctuary can hear gunshots echoing nearby, the roar of cars and helicopters overhead, something they say scares the animals. Cartel fighting regularly blocks staff from reaching the sanctuary, and some animals have gone days without eating. Many have started to lose fur and at least two animals have died due to the situation, Mr Zazueta said. A staff member sprays an elephant with water (Image: AP) Complicating matters is the fact that an increasing number of the animals they rescue are former narco pets left abandoned in rural swathes of the state. In one case, a Bengal tiger was discovered chained in a plaza, caught in the centre of shootouts. Urban legends circulate in Sinaloa that capos feed their enemies to pet lions. Diego Garcia, a refuge staff member, is among those who travel out to rescue those animals. He said he regularly receives anonymous threats, with callers claiming to know his address and how to find him. He worries he'll be targeted for taking away the former pets of capos. Mr Zazueta said the refuge also receives calls threatening to burn the sanctuary to the ground and kill the animals if payment isn't made. "There's no safe place left in this city these days," said Mr Garcia. Ostok Sanctuary animal sanctuary staff prepare a jaguar to be transferred (Image: AP) That's the feeling for many in the city of one million. When the sun rises, parents check for news of shootouts as if it were the weather, to determine if it's safe to send their kids to school. Burned houses sit riddled with bullets and occasionally bodies appear hanging from bridges outside the city. By night, Culiacan turns into a ghost town, leaving bars and clubs shuttered and many without work. "My son, my son, I'm here. I'm not going to leave you alone," screamed one mother, sobbing on the side of the road and cursing officials as they inspected her son's dead body, splayed out and surrounded by bullet casings late Monday night. "Why do the police do nothing?" she cried out. In February, while driving a refuge vehicle used for animal transport, Mr Garcia said he was forced from the car by an armed, masked man in an SUV. At gunpoint, they stole the truck, animal medicine and tools used by the group for rescues and left him trembling on the side of the road. The Ostok Sanctuary where the animals are being moved from (Image: AP) The breaking point for the Ostok Sanctuary came in March, when one of the two elephants in their care, Bireki, injured her foot. Vets scrambled to find a specialist to treat her in Mexico, the United States and beyond. No one would brave the trip to Culiacan. "We asked ourselves, 'what are we doing here?'," Mr Zazueta said. "We can't risk this happening again. If we don't leave, who will treat them?" The concern by many is that Mexico's crackdown on the cartels will be met with even more violent power moves by criminal organisations, as has happened in the past, said Saucedo, a security analyst. Mr Zazueta blames local government and security forces for not doing more, and said their pleas for help in the past eight months have gone unanswered. The sanctuary made the move without any public announcement, worried that they might face repercussions from local officials or the same cartels forcing them to flee, but they hope the animals will find some relief in Mazatlan after years of conflict. Garcia, the sanctuary staff member, is not so sure. While he hopes for the best, he said he's also watched cartel violence spread like a cancer across the Latin American country. Mazatlan, too, is also facing bursts of violence, though nothing compared to the Sinaloan capital. "It's at least more stable," he said. "Because here, today, it's just suffocating."
