The INE refuses to cancel PJ candidacies under suspicion

The INE puts the brakes on a controversial petition while the electoral circus continues.

Publicado 8 mayo, 2025 el 8 de mayo a las 20:35 | 3 mins reading |3,997 vistas | por Sofía Ramírez

The INE, arbiter of what is politically correct (or not so politically correct)

In a twist that no one saw coming (a lie, we all saw it coming), the General Council of the INE decided that no, it was not going to cancel the 26 candidacies of the Judiciary that were identified as having more shady ties than a narco soap opera. The reasons? Organized crime, violence… but, surprise!, it turns out that “it is not the procedural moment.” Of course, because in Mexico legal times are like downpours: they come when they want.

And now what, gentlemen legislators?

The INE, with the patience of a grandfather explaining for the umpteenth time how to use WhatsApp, reminded the Senate and Chamber of Deputies that eligibility is reviewed in two moments: when the committees evaluate and after the election. In other words, it’s not like ordering a pizza that you cancel if you crave another topping. Here there are processes, gentlemen, processes! Although, looking at the history, one would think that in this country the processes are more flexible than a yogini in stretching class.

To make matters worse, the INE kindly asked them (read: with institutional irony) to send them the files of the more than 3 thousand candidacies reviewed. Because, of course, what better time to start checking documents than when everything is already underway. Did you forget before? Or did someone think “transparency” was just the name of an Instagram filter?

The president advisor, Guadalupe Taddei, released the pearl of the day: “We act with technical autonomy, strictly in accordance with the law”. Which, in Christian, means: “They don’t command us, even if it burns them.” Of course, he made it clear that the INE is not a fortune teller: it is not going to anticipate trials, but it is also not going to pretend that nothing happens. A balance worthy of a tightrope walker.

And meanwhile, human rights in limbo

Counselor Dania Ravel, in “are we seriously doing this?” mode, warned that wanting to correct omissions now could be worse: “violation of human rights”. Wow, how new: in the country where due process sometimes seems optional, it now turns out that you have to follow the rules. Who would have thought?

In summary: the INE said “no” (for now), the legislators were left wanting, and the suspicious candidates are still in the race. Because, at the end of the day, what would Mexican politics be without a little drama, contradictions and decisions that leave everyone scratching their heads?

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National

INEHRM becomes a research and teaching center

The INEHRM is transformed into a research and teaching center under the new secretariat.

Publicado 3 hours ago el 1 de julio a las 22:00 | 2 mins reading

Transformation of the INEHRM

President Claudia Sheinbaum signed the decree that transfers the National Institute of Historical Studies of the Revolutions of Mexico (INEHRM) to the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation (SECIHTI). The institute becomes a decentralized public body with an academic focus.

Rosaura Ruiz Gutiérrez, head of SECIHTI, explained that the new scheme will train specialists in history to strengthen national capacities in social sciences and humanities.

Felipe Arturo Ávila Espinosa, director of the INEHRM, explained that the study plans will link historical knowledge with social, economic, political and cultural problems of the country, and will address the needs of the Federal Public Administration.

Hybrid educational offer

The offer will include bachelor’s degrees in History, Social Sciences and Humanities, and Public Administration and Good Government. In postgraduate studies, master’s degrees will be added in Mexican Humanism, Gender and Feminism Studies, and Social Movements and Rescue of Historical Memory. There will also be specialties in Political Communication and History Teaching.

Graduates will cover topics such as agrarianism, health, migration, artificial intelligence, violence and human rights.

Headquarters and call

The new headquarters will be at 80 Guatemala Street, Historic Center of Mexico City. The first admission call will be launched in July, and classes will begin in September.

National

Prosecutor’s Office grants protection measures to victim of family violence

The Morelos Prosecutor's Office issued protection measures after a complaint of family violence against the former director of Pemex.

Publicado 3 hours ago el 1 de julio a las 21:20 | 2 mins reading

The Morelos Attorney General’s Office activated protection measures in favor of Felicia Jiménez Lavie, who filed a complaint for family violence against her husband, Víctor Rodríguez Padilla, former director of Pemex. This was reported by prosecutor Fernando Blumenkron Escobar.

The measures, the official explained, will be available when the victim requires them. The complaint was filed in Mexico City and the Women’s Secretariat of the Government of Mexico directly follows up on the case.

Investigation in progress

Until now, Jiménez Lavie has not gone to the local Public Ministry to contribute more elements to the investigation folder. This was initiated ex officio last Friday, June 26, after a video was broadcast with images of attacks against the woman.

Blumenkron assured that the portfolio continues its integration. “The proceedings have not stopped and we are going to continue to guarantee justice for the victim,” he said. In addition, he indicated that there is coordination with the Women’s Secretariat and the capital’s Prosecutor’s Office, under the care route for victims of family violence.

Among the actions carried out, the Morelos Prosecutor’s Office seeks to locate the address where the physical assault occurred, to carry out expert reports in accordance with the images of the video broadcast by the victim herself.

National

Trump does not extend T-MEC: Mexico faces annual review

US rejects automatic extension of the T-MEC; validity is reduced to 10 years with annual review.

Publicado 4 hours ago el 1 de julio a las 20:47 | 2 mins reading

Rejection of automatic extension

The United States decided not to automatically renew the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) for 16 years. This reduces its validity to a decade with an annual review. The measure generated concern among Mexican legislators.

Ricardo Monreal, coordinator of Morena in San Lázaro, explained that the treaty remains in force for another 10 years, but subject to evaluation each year. He noted that the United States presented 54 observations, including issues such as the vaquita porpoise and piracy. Mexico, for its part, raised 13 points, including clause 232 on tariffs.

“Only it will be reviewed year after year, but the Treaty is not finished, it continues for another 10 years because that is how it was signed six years ago,” declared Monreal.

The legislator warned that Donald Trump has been a constant critic of the USMCA and called for considering the benefits it has brought to the three nations.

Reactions of the opposition

Héctor Saúl Téllez, vice economic coordinator of the PAN, considered that the US position shows a lack of strategic anticipation on the part of the federal government.

“The US decision not to automatically extend the USMCA for 16 years in today’s review is not the end of the treaty, but it does reveal a lack of strategic anticipation by the federal government,” he stated.

Téllez recalled that Article 34.7 of the agreement had been known since 2018. Reaching July 1 without a clean extension represents a risk that, he said, should have been avoided.

The annual review will allow adjustments, but uncertainty about the future of regional trade persists. Mexico and Canada will seek to maintain the stability of the agreement for the next ten years.