Judicial Reform Protests Escalate in Mexico

On September 4, protesters blocked access to Mexico's Congress in an effort to halt a controversial judicial reform that would allow judges to be elected, undermining judicial independence. The Supreme Court voted 8-3 to join the work stoppage alongside thousands of judicial workers, escalating tensions as lawmakers from the ruling Morena party sought to push the proposal through at a nearby gymnasium. Critics, including judges and opposition lawmakers, argue that the reform threatens democracy, with some calling for a 'wall of shame' to mark the event. Outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador claims the reforms are necessary for accountability and to reduce corruption in the judiciary. Despite widespread protests, Morena's majority in Congress suggests that the reform will likely be approved. The situation has garnered significant attention, impacting relations with the United States and creating market volatility.