The Chamber of Deputies of Mexico approved the constitutional reform to expand the catalog of crimes that warrant preventive detention. The measure will now include extortion and related offenses regarding the production and distribution of synthetic drugs, such as fentanyl. The vote was conducted with 335 votes in favor and 108 against after an intense debate lasting more than 12 hours that extended into the early hours of the morning.
During the debate, it was agreed to remove from the catalog the crimes of drug dealing and tax evasion, which would imply imprisonment for those accused of tax evasion. The initiative, presented by former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, is part of a package of 20 reforms that also address changes in the pension system, an increase in the minimum wage, popular elections for the Supreme Court, and the elimination of autonomous regulators.
Deputy Leonel Godoy from the ruling party, Movimiento Regeneración Nacional (Morena), highlighted the importance of preventive detention to combat serious crimes such as intentional homicide, femicide, and intentional injuries by firearms, mentioning that extortion in the form of 'floor payments' continues to be a growing problem in Mexican society.
On the other hand, a legislator from the opposition National Action Party (PAN), Fernando Torres, argued that there is no evidence supporting that preventive detention contributes to reducing the commission of crimes. He also pointed out that what is really needed to combat serious crimes like drug trafficking is an efficient and effective government.
In the debate, opposing views were also expressed regarding preventive detention. While some deputies believe this measure is necessary to prevent those responsible for serious crimes from evading justice, others see it as a violation of human rights and an obsolete practice in modern democracies.
In summary, the reform to the Mexican Constitution that expands the catalog of crimes that entail preventive detention has generated intense debate in the Chamber of Deputies, with positions for and against the effectiveness and legality of this measure in the fight against crime in the country.
