The renowned professor and criminal lawyer Juan Velásquez, known in Mexican political circles as "The Devil's Advocate," passed away on Sunday, October 27. The Faculty of Law of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) confirmed this sad news and expressed its condolences through a notice on social media, extending solidarity to the family and friends of the distinguished lawyer.
Juan Velásquez left a legacy of more than 50 years in law, defending key figures in Mexican politics, including former presidents Carlos Salinas de Gortari, Luis Echeverría Álvarez, and José López Portillo, as well as other personalities such as Olympic medalist Joaquín Capilla, artist David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Cardinal Norberto Rivera. His work on emblematic cases like "Pemexgate" established him as a defender of powerful figures accused of controversial acts.
A graduate of UNAM in 1970, Juan Velásquez became one of the most recognized criminal lawyers in Mexico, being appointed honorary lifetime president of the Mexican Academy of Law. In addition to his outstanding work as a lawyer, Velásquez played a significant role as an advisor and speaker at institutions such as the National Defense College and the Center for Naval Higher Studies.
His contribution to the Accusatory Penal System and his participation in the modernization of criminal justice in Mexico made him a key figure in this field. The death of Juan Velásquez marks the end of an era in criminal law in the country, leaving an indelible legacy in the history of Mexican justice.
