Reform of Judicial Power/ Mexico’s New Ambassador

Mexicans must act responsibly. President López Obrador called on all Mexicans, especially the citizens of Mexico City, to take better care of themselves amid an increase in COVID-19 infections. He said that Mexico City is one of the eight entities in which infections are increasing. Because of this, the president asked that people not leave the house unless it is necessary. "We are doing our part. We are expanding the number of beds. Other states are helping us. Only eight states have an increase in COVID-19 cases. In most states, although there is an epidemic, we do not have this situation of increased contagion," the López Obrador said.

AMLO congratulates legislators for approving reforms. The president thanked senators and deputies for approving the reforms he proposed, especially those related to pensions and the credits of the Institute of the National Housing Fund for Workers (Infonavit). López Obrador added that the reform to the Administrators of Retirement Funds (Afores) achieved greater benefits for workers. Infonavit aims to give workers the freedom to use their credit more freely. AMLO said: “I am very grateful to the deputies and senators from all parties who approved these reforms. These reforms will be very beneficial to all Mexicans.”

Renewal of judicial power. A new reform aims to create a Federal Judicial Training School to educate members and future workers of the judicial power. President López Obrador said that with the reform, the participation of public defenders will be strengthened. These changes seek to help citizens who do not have enough resources to hire a lawyer, he said. The president also congratulated the Minister of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) Arturo Zaldívar Lelo de Larrea for his management and the court’s objective of improving the judicial power. “Mexicans deserve to have more legal protection and this is what the Supreme Court is aiming to achieve. By increasing and strengthening public defenders, Mexicans will receive better care of their rights.”

Esteban Moctezuma is Mexico’s new ambassador. AMLO named Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, Head of the Ministry of Education (SEP), as the new ambassador to the US. Current Ambassador Martha Barcena is retiring. "We are going to wait for the process (to play out). It takes time because the US has to approve him. In addition, I want to emphasize that Esteban has done an excellent job as Minister of Education and we want him to help us prepare the return to classes," López Obrador  said. AMLO said he will send a proposal to the Senate to recognize Bárcena as an “eminent ambassador” to thank her for her services, especially during the time she represented Mexico in the US.

AMLO applauds the postponement of Banxico’s reform. The Chamber of Deputies postponed discussions and a vote on the proposed Bank of Mexico (Banxico) reform until 2021. Last week, Mexico’s Senate passed a draft law that would force Banxico to buy foreign cash that commercial banks cannot return to its country of origin. According to experts, this would destabilize the Mexican economy and increase the bank’s risk of being used to launder money. AMLO applauded the Chamber’s decision and said this reform needs more points of view, especially from the population. “During this time, the population will be informed about the reform. This reform must be analyzed objectively, without dogmatisms,” he said. AMLO called on Banxico to help develop and increase the welfare of the country.

Click HERE for full transcript in Spanish