Mexico

Monthly Event Reports GSOD Indices

Mexico exhibits mid-range performance across all categories of the Global State of Democracy framework, with relative stronger performance in Representation and credible elections. In the past five years, Mexico has seen advances in Impartial Administration. Security and human rights crises in the country have contributed to its position among the bottom 25 per cent of countries in the world with regard to Access to Justice and Personal Integrity and Security. Mexico’s economy is heavily reliant on industrial activities including the oil and energy sectors, manufacturing, services, and agriculture, with significant trade carried out with the United States and an important influx of remittances. Although among the 15 largest global economies, poverty rates are high, affecting nearly half of the population. Structural injustices prevail, due to high inequality, low social mobility, and informal labour markets that exclude the poor from basic legal protections and services.

An ethnically diverse country, Mexico’s population consists predominantly of Mexican Mestizo, with Indigenous, white, and Afro-Mexican minorities. Economic reforms introduced in the 1980s and 1990s generated growth and improved income distribution. However, the benefits of economic and social modernization have been unevenly shared across racial lines, and biases have been documented in the allocation of public resources, politics and the labour market. An urban-rural divide also characterizes the country, with more than 60 per cent of the poor population living in rural areas, most of whom are dependent upon subsistence agriculture.

A serious downturn in domestic security has been observed in recent years as drug-related violence expands at alarming rates and in new social, political and economic areas. Corruption has allowed organized criminal groups to operate, wield influence in the political system, and violently meddle in elections. The security strategy to counter organized crime has also exacerbated human rights violations and affected socio-economic development in the country. The prevalence of poverty, growing violence, femicide and other forms of gender-based violence, and illicit networks’ increased control of the country’s territory, local economies, and political system contribute to Mexico’s chronic governance challenges.

Beginning in 1929, Mexico had 71 years of single-party government under the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Since the early nineties, Mexico’s political institutions have facilitated democratic alternations of power through elections. However, fundamental divides and structural problems have eroded satisfaction with political representation, culminating in a victory for the Morena party in 2018. While public belief in the new administration’s dedication to improving the condition of marginalized Mexicans made it popular, the government has recently been questioned for targeting individuals and organizations who voice criticism. Concerning authoritarian tendencies have been observed through continuous attacks on media and opposition as well as on autonomous institutions, including an antitrust watchdog, open data portals, election oversight bodies, and regulatory agencies. Critics say that these are efforts to erode democratic checks on executive authority. The government argues that proposed reforms, are designed to save money and address corruption.

Looking ahead, it will be important to watch Fundamental Rights, particularly Personal Integrity and Security and Freedom of Expression. Enforced disappearances, and frequent murders of journalists and human rights activists have made Mexico the deadliest country for journalists outside a conflict zone. Further, it will be critical to watch the content of future law initiatives and decisions regarding autonomous agencies and institutions and if the legal protections of freedom of expression are adequately enforced with regard to critical voices in the media, academia and civil society.

July 2023 | Electoral authorities sanction president over attacks on opposition

On 13 July, the National Electoral Institute (INE) took decisive action amid an escalating dispute between President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and opposition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez, which had been ongoing since early July. The feud was marked by allegations of public slander, private financial data disclosure, and direct criticism in Obrador's daily press briefings, or 'mañaneras', leading INE to issue an order prohibiting the president from commenting on potential candidates for the 2024 elections. This intervention was triggered by a complaint from Gálvez, who accused Obrador of misusing state resources and perpetrating "political gender-based violence". Upon investigation, the INE found that Obrador's comments violated principles of neutrality, impartiality, and fairness, leading to the removal of several press conference videos from July. Despite the ruling, Obrador continued his criticisms, promoting further action from an electoral court on 2 August. The ruling deemed Obrador’s actions as "gender-based violence" and issued another order for him to cease this behaviour. The president has been accused of breaching electoral laws by using 'mañaneras' (publicly funded broadcasts) to target the opposition. He denies these allegations and, claiming an infringement on his freedom of expression.

Electoral Management Body Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

June 2023 | Supreme Court invalidates second part of Plan B electoral reform

On 22 June, Mexico's Supreme Court (SCJN) invalidated the second part of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's 'Plan B' electoral reform, effectively annulling the entire proposal. This decision followed the court's previous invalidation in May of the first part of the reform. In both rulings, the SCJN focused primarily on the legislative procedure rather than the content and implications. The decree sought to limit the National Electoral Institute’s (INE) ability to organize elections by reducing the number of offices and staff in its headquarters and the country's 300 electoral districts, and to limit INE's supervision and auditing roles. The SCJN declared that the decree’s approval had entailed "serious violations of the legislative process", contravening articles 71 and 72 of the federal constitution, which emphasize the principle of democratic deliberation. The Court further noted that equal participation of all congressional groups was not guaranteed due to the initiatives not being published in time for comprehensive review and being rushed without meeting urgent criteria. Following the SCJN's announcement, Morena (ruling party) leaders confirmed that a 'Plan C' is underway, though its specifics remain unclear.

Supreme Court Electoral Management Body Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Electoral Reform Plan B

May 2023 | Supreme Court invalidates part of ‘Plan B’ electoral reform

On 8 May, nine out of 11 Supreme Court (SCJN) justices voted to invalidate part of the ‘Plan B’ electoral reform proposed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), due to serious violations of the legislative process. The ruling revokes changes to legislation limiting the National Electoral Institute’s (INE) ability to oversee political communication. However, it does not affect the second part of the reform package, including budget cuts for INE, which remains suspended by the SCJN since March and will be considered at a later date. The Court’s decision was largely praised as a successful check on executive power. However, the ruling has been criticized by members of the ruling party, MORENA and exacerbated tensions between the executive and SCJN. In response to the ruling, AMLO announced a new initiative to elect SCJN justices through popular vote. This has raised concerns about potential politicization of the judiciary and impact on judicial independence. According to President López Obrador, the initiative would enhance transparency, democratic participation and reduce corruption within the judiciary.

Supreme Court Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Electoral Reform Plan B

April 2023 | Supreme Court rules against enhanced militarization

On 17 and 18 April, Mexico’s Supreme Court (SCJN) issued two rulings that reduce some of the power the military had recently been granted. Firstly, the SCJN limited the armed forces’ ability to intercept communications between citizens. It comes amid recent revelations that the current government and military have spied on journalists, human rights activists, and opposition politicians and that the Mexican military was ‘the first and most prolific’ user of the Pegasus spyware, which had been allegedly used to spy on civilians as recently as the second half of 2022. Second, the SCJN declared that transferring control of the National Guard (GN) from the Public Security Ministry to the defence ministry (SEDENA) was unconstitutional. Government officials had claimed that the GN needs to be under the control of the military to prevent corruption and guarantee the force’s professionalism. Although President López Obrador criticised the SCJN, the decisions have been received positively by national and international leaders.

Militarization Supreme Court Surveillance