In response to U.S. objections regarding a proposed judicial reform, the president of Mexico has stated that relations with the U.S. embassy will be “paused.”

This pronouncement from Andrés Manuel López Obrador came after U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar openly rebuked his initiative to alter the constitution, favoring elections over appointments for judges within the Mexican judicial system.

“Why should we permit the ambassador – with all due respect – to express that our actions are negative? This isn’t a disagreement between adversaries,” López Obrador remarked during a press conference on Tuesday.

This diplomatic spat arises amid a significant strike by judges across Mexico, who are refusing to work in protest of the proposed reforms. On Tuesday, justices from Mexico’s Supreme Court halted their sessions to support the ongoing protests.

Comments from US Ambassador Ken Salazar

The ambassador labeled the reform initiative as “a significant risk” to the democracy of Mexico, the main trading partner of the United States.

“With my long experience in upholding the rule of law, I believe that directly electing judges poses a serious threat to the integrity of Mexican democracy,” Salazar stated on Aug. 22 via the social media platform X.

He added that the discussion around the direct election of judges “could jeopardize the longstanding trade relationship we have established.”

According to U.S. Census data, last year, Mexico overtook China as the largest trading partner of the United States.

Normally, Salazar refrains from publicly criticizing actions of the Mexican president and favors handling critical issues privately, as noted by Duncan Wood, the CEO of the Pacific Council on International Policy.

“The reason Salazar may feel emboldened to speak publicly now,” Wood explained, “is due to the approaching end of López Obrador’s term. President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum is set to take office on October 1.

Wood also mentioned that the “pause” in embassy relations specifically concerns the ambassador and does not reflect the broader stance of the State Department or the Biden administration.

“His remarks were deliberate,” he said. “It combines political posturing with a strong emotional reaction to comments made by someone he considered a colleague.”

López Obrador also announced he would halt relations with Canada’s embassy in Mexico City, following similar official criticisms from the Canadian side.

Judges on Strike Oppose Reforms

The proposed constitutional change in Mexico would enable judges, including those in the Supreme Court, to be elected directly by the populace.

President-elect Sheinbaum has expressed her support for the reforms, asserting that they include measures to prevent corruption and ensure the competence of candidates, such as a committee that will verify qualifications for those seeking judicial positions.

However, the judges who are currently striking disagree with this notion.

“It would be disastrous if any individual, lacking experience and understanding of the judicial system or the significant responsibilities judges hold, were allowed to serve as a judge,” remarked federal judge Catalina Ruiz, who is protesting the proposed reform in Ciudad Juarez, during an interview with Azteca Noticias on Tuesday. “Imagine a businessperson stepping into the role of a judge the next day.”

This story is ongoing.