(23 Aug 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mexico City, Mexico – 22 August 2024
1. Mid of U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar,
2. Close of logo of U.S. Embassy in Mexico on podium
3. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Ken Salazar, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico:
"I think the direct election of judges represents a risk to the functioning of the democracy in Mexico and the integration of the U.S., Mexican and Canadian economies."
4. Salazar during briefing
5. Reporters listening
6. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Ken Salazar, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico:
"The ongoing debate over direct popular election of judges, as well as the fierce politics that will unfold here in Mexico if the election of judges in 2025 and 2027 is approved, threatens the historic commercial relationship we have built."
7. Close of Mexican flag
8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Ken Salazar, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico:
"Direct elections (of judges) could also make it easier for cartels and other bad actors to take advantage of inexperienced judges with political motivations."
9. Close of U.S. flag
10. Pan of Salazar leaving
STORYLINE:
U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar said Thursday a judicial overhaul proposed by Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador poses a “risk" to Mexico’s democracy and "threatens the historic commercial relationship” between Mexico and the U.S.
The proposal, including a provision to require judges be elected, has spurred a fierce outcry from investors and financial institutions in recent days, with the Mexican peso steadily dropping in currency markets.
Salazar said the proposed overhaul could "make it easier for cartels and other bad actors to take advantage of inexperienced judges with political motivations".
The measures would allow virtually anyone with a law degree with a few years experience as a lawyer to become a judge through popular vote.
Given major electoral wins by López Obrador’s Morena party in June, academics, financial institutions and court employees say the changes would pave the way to stack courts with politically biased judges.
That could hand the governing party control of all three branches of government and deal a blow to checks and balances, they warn.
The proposal must be approved by Mexico’s newly elected congress, which will take office September 1 with Morena and its allies holding a majority.
The president’s six-year term runs to September 30, and President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum has also defended the proposal.
Salazar dodged multiple questions by reporters asking if adoption of the overhaul would result in any sanctions or actions by U.S. authorities against Mexico.
López Obrador, a populist averse to independent regulatory agencies, has long been at odds with the judicial branch and says the proposal is meant to clean up corruption.
Criticism of the proposed changes has mounted as thousands of judges and court employees started striking this week, bringing most federal courts to a standstill.
Their concerns were shared by major financial institutions in both the U.S. and Mexico.
AP video shot by: Martín Silva Rey
===========================================================
Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com.
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/ab54f14ebbf6495a8a93f9ec67c7cd7c
Author: AP Archive
Go to Source
News post in August 28, 2024, 3:04 am.
Visit Our Sponsor’s:
News Post In – News
