MEXICO CITY (AP) 鈥 Mexico said Friday it is sending a diplomatic note protesting supposed U.S. interference after the American ambassador openly criticized a proposed Mexican judicial overhaul that would make all judges stand for election.
President Andr茅s Manuel L贸pez Obrador called the comments 鈥渄isrespectful of our national sovereignty鈥 and claimed it interfered in Mexico鈥檚 domestic affairs, adding 鈥淚 hope this will not happen again.鈥
On Thursday, U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar said the proposed changes and that they threaten "the historic commercial relationship鈥 between the two countries. Critics fear the constitutional changes are an attempt by L贸pez Obrador to weaken the independence of the judiciary.
The diplomatic note said the ambassador's comments 鈥渞epresent an unacceptable interference, a violation of Mexico's sovereignty.鈥
The proposal to require judges to stand for election, which has not been approved yet, has spurred in recent days, with the Mexican peso steadily dropping in currency markets.
On Tuesday, Morgan Stanley downgraded its recommendation for investing in Mexico, saying the overhaul would 鈥渋ncrease risk.鈥 Others, like Citibanamex, warned that passage of the proposal could end in the 鈥渃ancellation of liberal democracy.鈥
鈥淒emocracies can鈥檛 function without a strong, independent and non-corrupt judicial branch,鈥 Salazar told reporters. 鈥淎ny judicial reform needs to have safeguards that the judicial branch is strengthened, and not the subject to political conditions.鈥
He said the proposed overhaul would 鈥渉elp cartels and other bad actors take advantage of inexperienced judges with political motivations,鈥 and 鈥渃reate turbulence鈥 both economically and politically for years to come
The proposed overhaul also has triggered strikes by federal court workers and judges in many parts of Mexico this week.
If approved, 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. If too many candidates register to run for a judgeship, the final contenders would essentially be chosen by putting their names in a hat and holding a drawing.
Given major electoral wins by L贸pez Obrador鈥檚 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鈥檚 newly elected congress, which will take office Sept. 1 with Morena and its allies holding a majority. The president鈥檚 six-year term runs to Sept. 30, and .
L贸pez Obrador, a populist averse to independent regulatory agencies, has long been at odds with the judicial branch.
He contends judges are part of a 鈥渕afia鈥 that opposes him, and says the proposal is meant to clean up corruption. He , ignored court orders and publicly sparred with judges whose rulings he has disagreed with.
While Salazar said rooting out corruption in Mexico鈥檚 judiciary is not a bad idea, he expressed deep concern over the prospect of having judges elected.
鈥淭he direct election of judges represents a risk for the functioning of Mexico鈥檚 democracy, and the integration of the American, Mexican and 春色直播 economies,鈥 Salazar said.
It was an unusual about-face for Salazar, an ambassador who had long been criticized for being too subservient to the Mexican president and who had previously been a staunch defender of Mexico's right to reform its judiciary and its energy industry.
L贸pez Obrador said it appeared Salazar had been ordered to make the comments by the State Department.
Salazar made the comments after some U.S. industry groups wrote to U.S. earlier in the week complaining the reforms could weaken protections for investors and favor Mexico's own state-owned companies.
鈥淭his isn't Ken,鈥 L贸pez Obrador said. 鈥淜en is the spokesman, this is the State Department.鈥 ___
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