Oaxacan transporters maintain road blockade for the second day

The SCJN takes up the Frida Kahlo case

The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) decided to resume its jurisdiction to analyze a key case on the protection of Frida Kahlo’s work. The plenary session of the highest court will study whether it is constitutional to prohibit the definitive departure from the country of paintings by the artist that are in the hands of individuals.

The presidential decree of 1984

The central point is article 6 of the decree issued in 1984, during the government of Miguel de la Madrid. The provision declared Kahlo’s entire production an artistic monument and prohibited its permanent export. Now, the Court must determine whether this restriction exceeds the powers of the Executive Branch.

The case strikes a balance between the protection of cultural heritage and property rights. The resolution will set a precedent on the scope of the State to limit the circulation of private artistic goods.

The SCJN has not set a date for the discussion in plenary, but the debate promises to be intense between ministers. Meanwhile, collectors and heirs are closely following the process.

The review of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) entered a decisive stage. The Federal Government informed Congress that the negotiations with the United States reduced the pending issues from 54 to 14, according to a report from the Ministry of Economy published in the Parliamentary Gazette.

The issues that are still on the table

Both nations will hold a new round of negotiations on July 20. The objective: define the next steps, address the priority issues and make the results known. Among the concerns of the United States are the loss of manufacturing jobs, dependence on supply chains from third countries, the trade deficit, rules of origin and economic security.

Mexico maintains that these challenges can be resolved with a regional strategy that strengthens production in North America and reduces dependence on Asian imports.

Mexico’s proposals

As part of its negotiating position, Mexico presented 13 proposals. Among them, the elimination of tariffs applied by the United States under Section 232 to strategic sectors such as steel, aluminum and the automotive industry. The federal administration believes that withdrawing these measures would strengthen regional competitiveness and give greater certainty to investments.

In addition, the Mexican government seeks to promote investments in strategic industries: semiconductors, medicines, electronics and computing technologies. The purpose is to expand the productive capacity of North America, reduce dependence on critical inputs from abroad and strengthen competitiveness against other economic blocks.

The UN Human Rights Council approved this Wednesday the appointment of Mexican lawyer Leopoldo Maldonado Gutiérrez as special rapporteur for the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression. He will serve for three years during the 62nd session.

Reactions to the appointment

The Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez Human Rights Center (Prodh Center) highlighted Maldonado’s career in defense of human rights and his experience accompanying victims. They believe that this will strengthen the global protection of freedom of expression.

The UN Office in Mexico recognized that its experience will contribute to the strengthening of one of the most important rapporteurships in the international system. The Mexican Association of Judges and the MX Media Alliance indicated that the appointment recognizes their work in defense of journalists and fundamental freedoms.

Lawyer’s career

Maldonado is a lawyer from the Universidad Iberoamericana and a master’s degree in Human Rights from the same institution. Her work has focused on the defense of fundamental rights, with emphasis on freedom of expression and accompaniment to victims of violations.