Photo: The Baker Institute

By KELIN DILLON

On Thursday, Aug. 22, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar warned that Mexico’s potential judicial reforms, particularly the idea to democratize the elections of federal judges, could jeopardize the economic relationship between the United States and its southern neighbor—an opinion later echoed by Canada’s Ambassador to Mexico Graeme Clark.

“If the elections for judges in 2025 and 2027 are approved, they threaten the historic commercial relationship that we have built, which depends on trust and on the investments that must be made here in Mexico to achieve prosperity for the people of Mexico,” said Salazar, though noted that the United States would respect Mexico’s sovereignty regardless.

“In the case of the direct election of judges,, there will be discussion, there will be controversy, there will be litigation, there will be many questions, and I do not know where the United States will want to go if it sees that the legal framework here in Mexico that does not look stable,” continued Salazar. “And I say this with all due respect because I do recognize the need, the very necessary need to make a reform, but it should be a good reform.”

“We understand the importance of Mexico’s fight against judicial corruption,” concluded the U.S. ambassador. “However, the direct, political election of judges, in my view, will not solve judicial corruption nor strengthen the judiciary. It would also undermine efforts to realize North American economic integration and create turbulence as the debate over direct election will continue for years to come.”

For his part, Clark agreed with Salazar’s analysis that Mexico’s pending judicial reforms could cause “problems” for Canada’s relationship with Mexico.

“What I can say is that my investors are concerned, they want stability, they want a judicial system that works if there are issues,” said Clark at the time.