Mexican Senate Faces Turmoil Over Judicial Reform Proposal

Mexican senators clashed in a heated debate over a proposed judicial reform. The ruling coalition is one vote short of the required majority, stirring accusations of foul play. Protests erupted, and key opposition senators' whereabouts and allegiance shifts added tension. The reform aims to elect judges and reduce experience requirements.

Mexican senators engaged in a fiery debate Tuesday over a controversial judicial reform set to overhaul the country's judiciary. The tension boiled over as opposition lawmakers accused the ruling bloc of deploying underhand tactics to push the reform through.

Protesters blocked roads near the Senate, voicing their dissent against the measure. A key opposition senator's unexplained detention further fueled the accusations of foul play from the ruling coalition, which is a vote short of the two-thirds majority needed.

Outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's proposal seeks to elect 6,500 judges, including Supreme Court members, by popular vote, and reduce experience requirements for judicial posts. Yet Mexico's trading partners, the U.S. and Canada, warn it might jeopardize the USMCA trade pact.

(With inputs from agencies.)