Hugo Aguilar, an Indigenous lawyer with ties to the governing Morena party, is set to become the president of Mexico's supreme court after topping an unprecedented and controversial popular vote for the entire judicial system, a reform that critics argue undermines the separation of powers.
Indigenous lawyer to head Mexico’s supreme court after direct election
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Hugo Aguilar, an Indigenous lawyer with ties to the governing Morena party, is set to become the president of Mexico's supreme court after topping an unprecedented and controversial popular vote for the entire judicial system, a reform that critics argue undermines the separation of powers.
Trending- 1 June 1, 2025 (Sunday): Mexico held unprecedented popular elections for its entire judicial system.
- 2 Past 20 years: Hugo Aguilar has operated for the government.
- 3 During López Obrador's government: Aguilar served as a senior official at the National Institute for Indigenous Peoples.
- 4 Next week: The National Electoral Institute will continue to release results for other judicial posts.
- The new supreme court, with justices tied to Morena, may no longer act as a check on the executive power.
- Concerns about the destruction of the separation of powers and political capture of the judiciary.
- Record low voter turnout (13%) for a federal election.
- Justices may fear going against the executive due to threats of sanction.
What: Hugo Aguilar, an Indigenous lawyer from Oaxaca with links to the governing Morena party, was elected president of Mexico’s supreme court following an unprecedented popular vote for the entire judicial system.
When: The popular vote took place on Sunday (June 1, 2025); Aguilar has operated for the government for almost 20 years; the National Electoral Institute will release more results over the next week.
Where: Mexico (Oaxaca, Pacific, Atlantic).
Why: The governing Morena party implemented this radical reform to reduce corruption and impunity in the judicial system, aiming to make it more responsive to popular opinion. Critics, however, argue it destroys the separation of powers.
How: Through a direct popular vote for approximately 2,600 judicial posts, from local magistrates to supreme court justices. There was evidence of illegal party interference through the distribution of 'cheat sheets' with favored candidates.