June 2027: Allegiance supersedes righteousness
In the year 2027, Mexico grapples with the repercussions of the controversial Judicial Reform initiated two years prior. This overhaul, advertised as a democratic transformation of the judiciary, has evolved into a systemic dismantling of the Rule of Law. Today, the courts find themselves at the heart of political conflicts, rather than serving as a compass of legality.
Two years on, judges, once guardians of the law, have become expendable pieces in a system that values obedience over preparation. Critics warned that the direct election of judges through popular votes, funded by opaque resources, and influenced by political parties and unions, would result in ideological divisions within the courts. This shift has led to a rise in judgments tainted with legal errors, contradictions, and blatant partiality.
The impact on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has been profound. Foreign direct investment (FDI) has observed a decline of over 20% since the passage of the Judicial Reform. American and Canadian companies have raised concerns over the arbitrariness in the judicial and administrative processes, which they claim violate Article 14 of the Treaty concerning the protection of investments. Out of the 12 dispute resolution panels requested since 2025, five have ruled against Mexico, with three more currently in process.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has expressed apprehension, stating that the judicial reform has undermined the minimum guarantees for businesses operating in Mexico and that there is no assurance of impartial dispute resolution. Consequently, capital flight has intensified, specifically in strategic sectors such as energy, advanced manufacturing, and technology - sectors the USMCA aimed to strengthen.
Beyond the loss of potential investment, the most regrettable outcome is the erosion of the legal consciousness of the country. Legal certainty, a critical pillar of any functional democracy, has been fragmented. The law, in its original function to serve as an instrument of equity and justice, has become a tool interpreted according to the whims of the new occupants of the judiciary. There are instances where sentences confuse codes, ignore precedents, and defy constitutional guarantees.
The legal order is no longer constitutional; instead, it has become a distorted system where lawsuits are won primarily through political alignment, rather than the strength of arguments. Justice, once a beacon of hope for the disenfranchised, has been reduced to a political button, incapable of containing corruption and unable to offer legal security. In just two years, decades of El-aborated developments - an independent judicial system that was imperfect but functional - have been eroded.
History may judge the Judicial Reform as an irresponsible gamble, misleadingly presented as popular justice. The people lose when their judges lack the expertise to navigate the nuances of the law, when their courts bow to political influence, and when their rights hold no value. In this new order, obedience overshadows justice.
José Rubinstein, Political Analyst
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The policy-and-legislation surrounding the controversial Judicial Reform in Mexico has significantly influenced the country's politics, as the new system appears to prioritize obedience over rule of law and impartiality. Consequently, this shift has raised concerns in the general news, with critics, businesses, and analysts expressing apprehension over the impact on international agreements and the erosion of legal consciousness in Mexico.
