Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Mexico’s Shift, Risks, Reforms, and Relations with the U.S.
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Mexico’s Shift, Risks, Reforms, and Relations with the U.S.
he former head of the INE examines the state of democracy in Mexico as President Sheinbaum executes judicial reforms.
"We are right now in the context of a transition into autocracy,” warns Lorenzo Córdova, a professor and researcher at the Institute of Legal Research at UNAM and the former head of Mexico’s National Electoral Institute (INE). In a Democracy Dialogues interview with AS/COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth, Córdova reflects on the state of Mexican democracy and explains how recent constitutional amendments have begun to erode foundational democratic principles, including the independence of the judiciary.
Córdova examines the implications of Mexico's shift for the U.S-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). With judicial independence weakened, he argues that the rule of law—the bedrock of investor confidence and cross-border cooperation—becomes more vulnerable. He warns that, in light of judicial reforms, "we could have politicians instead of judges," threatening both democracy and trade stability.
The discussion also highlights Mexico's democratic resilience. Despite these challenges, large-scale public protests have emerged in defense of institutions like the INE. However, Córdova cautions that this public commitment may not be enough, warning that the future of Mexican democracy now hinges on government will and "discretionary powers"—a precarious situation for a democracy at risk.
View all episodes
By AS/COAhe former head of the INE examines the state of democracy in Mexico as President Sheinbaum executes judicial reforms.
"We are right now in the context of a transition into autocracy,” warns Lorenzo Córdova, a professor and researcher at the Institute of Legal Research at UNAM and the former head of Mexico’s National Electoral Institute (INE). In a Democracy Dialogues interview with AS/COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth, Córdova reflects on the state of Mexican democracy and explains how recent constitutional amendments have begun to erode foundational democratic principles, including the independence of the judiciary.
Córdova examines the implications of Mexico's shift for the U.S-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). With judicial independence weakened, he argues that the rule of law—the bedrock of investor confidence and cross-border cooperation—becomes more vulnerable. He warns that, in light of judicial reforms, "we could have politicians instead of judges," threatening both democracy and trade stability.
The discussion also highlights Mexico's democratic resilience. Despite these challenges, large-scale public protests have emerged in defense of institutions like the INE. However, Córdova cautions that this public commitment may not be enough, warning that the future of Mexican democracy now hinges on government will and "discretionary powers"—a precarious situation for a democracy at risk.