And the Judiciary in Mexico City?

The judicial reform has left a victim in Mexico City. Chief Justice Rafael Guerra Álvarez depends on support from the National Palace to remain in office... and on securing the backing of 80 members of the capital's judiciary.

The head of the Mexico City government, Clara Brugada, has given him her support. Even so, the current period of tension over the succession in the Mexico City judiciary is rife. There are around thirty judges designated as critics of the president, but this minority could not alter the course of events.

The organic law of the Judiciary in Mexico City has several nuances that allow for the reelection of Rafael Guerra. All judges, including him, are eligible to run, with the exception of those who are members of the new administrative body.

The future of the Judiciary in Mexico City depends on precarious balances. The new magistrates and justices face several dilemmas. Like the new members of the Federal Judiciary, who triumphed at the polls, they must await their final appointment by the administrative body.

Chief Justice Rafael Guerra maintains tight control of the system despite the six-month paralysis caused by labor disputes.

At the federal level, there is a growing number of resignations from new appointments. A similar phenomenon could occur in Mexico City, a product of internal struggles. The presiding judge was banking on his relationship with Justice Yasmín Esquivel Mossa, but the appointment of Hugo Aguilar upset the precarious balance.

At the federal level, there are resignations motivated by conscientious objections, but also by incompetence and incapacity. This is the correction, in practice, of a mistake made at the polls. In Mexico City, many of the judges and magistrates could complete the learning curve.

Political and procedural deficiencies can perpetuate clientelist justice. Deep down, as both inside and outside the judiciary know, a bad decision has an impact. And a determining factor may be its legal and human presumption, its notorious ineptitude. And will the administrative body's disciplinary committee even act?

Nothing justifies having a paralyzed system. It's not possible today to set hearing dates two years from now, especially with an insufficient budget.

Side effects

COMPLAINTS. The deductions applied by the IMSS-Bienestar Administration and Finance Unit to the amount of the contract awarded to the firm Armot Private Security and Institutional Services for the cleaning and maintenance of the agency's buildings provoked an angry reaction from the contractor's representatives, who then demonstrated violently. José Juan Reyes Domínguez and José Juan Reyes Mote attempted to meet with Cristian Lilian García Romero, the person in charge of administering the contract. Among the details, it is worth highlighting that both individuals hinted at possible media attacks over an alleged debt, which have already begun to be seen in some television reports.