Mexican Lawmakers Evade Protesters, Push Through Controversial Judicial Overhaul

In a dramatic session, Mexican lawmakers were forced to flee as protesters stormed the legislative chambers, opposing a controversial judicial overhaul. Despite the chaos, lawmakers later reconvened to pass the sweeping reforms, which have sparked widespread protests across the country.

Judicial Reforms Spark Outrage
The reforms, which critics argue will undermine the independence of the judiciary, have ignited fierce opposition from both legal experts and political activists. Protesters fear the overhaul gives too much power to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration, potentially compromising the checks and balances within the government. “This is a blatant attack on judicial independence,” said one legal scholar from Mexico City’s National Autonomous University.

Lawmakers Forced to Flee Amid Tensions
As lawmakers gathered to vote, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Congress building, demanding the reforms be halted. Tensions escalated when demonstrators breached security barriers, forcing lawmakers to evacuate. “We cannot let this pass without resistance,” one protester shouted. After the chaos subsided, lawmakers reconvened at a secure location to proceed with the vote.

Key Changes in the Judicial Overhaul
The overhaul includes major changes to the appointment and oversight of judges, which critics say gives the executive branch undue influence over the judiciary. Supporters, however, argue the changes will combat corruption and streamline a court system plagued by inefficiency. “This is about making justice more accessible to the people,” said one lawmaker aligned with López Obrador’s Morena party.

Opposition Grows Nationally
Across Mexico, the judicial reforms have become a lightning rod for opposition groups, who see the move as a step toward authoritarianism. Protesters in cities like Guadalajara, Monterrey, and the capital have taken to the streets, calling for the overhaul to be repealed. The reforms are also expected to face legal challenges, with many questioning their constitutionality.

As the political climate in Mexico remains tense, the battle over the future of the country’s judiciary is far from over.