The minister of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN), Alfredo Gutiérrez Ortiz Mena, announced his resignation against the Judicial Reform proposed by former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador. In a letter issued on October 29, Ortiz Mena specified that his resignation does not imply agreement with the mentioned reform and that he will continue to serve until August 31, 2025. The minister argued that the constitutional reform shortened his term and presented him with the alternative of submitting to a popular election process or resigning, a decision he ultimately made.
Alfredo Gutiérrez Ortiz Mena emphasized that he does not consider himself suitable for a position that depends on popular support and preferred to resign early to avoid an out-of-time period according to the Constitution. The minister emphasized that public positions are temporary and that he began his work at the SCJN on November 27 with the purpose of safeguarding Mexican democracy and constitutional principles.
The announcement of Ortiz Mena's resignation adds to the decision of seven other Court ministers who also chose to resign against the popular election. The options currently presented for workers of the Judicial Power are to submit to elections of judges, ministers, and magistrates, with an extraordinary process in 2025 and a federal election in 2027, or to voluntarily resign. In his resignation letter, Ortiz Mena expressed his commitment to fulfill his responsibilities with integrity until the last day of his term.
