Mexico

April 23, 2021

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1. Senate approved amendments to outsourcing law

After long talks between the private sector and the government, the Senate approved reforms to the Labor Law regarding outsourcing, in a bid to regulate and prohibit contracting employees using this method.

The legislature sent the approved changes to the executive branch for their publication in the Official Gazette. It is worth mentioning that this type of contracting will only be permitted for specialized services.

El Universal: Senado da luz verde a regulación de outsourcing

2. Deputies approve laws governing Attorney General’s office, changes to judiciary

The Chamber of Deputies approved the decree issuing the Law of the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) which, in addition to other items, will return human rights violation-related cases to the office’s special prosecutors. Likewise, legislators approved changes to the judiciary, extending the term of office of the current chief of the Supreme Court of Justice, who will remain in office for six years.

Several entities, such as Human Rights Watch (HRW), relatives of victims, and experts on the subject have expressed their concern for both measures, since the amendments violate human rights, and also consider that the institutions in charge of ensuring justice may lose their autonomy and impartiality.

El Economista: Cámara de Diputados aprueba la Ley de la FGR con cambios; regresa al Senado.
El Financiero: Se consuma la ‘Ley Zaldívar’: Congreso aprueba extensión de presidencia de la Corte.
El Universal: Ampliar el mandato de Zaldívar, un asalto a la justicia: HRW

3. Judge approves appeals against biometric cellular phone registry

After the approval of the National Registry of Mobile Telephone Users (PANUT), which obligates mobile phone users to register their biometric data, Federal Judge Juan Pablo Gómez Fierro carried forth the first series of appeals so that users can avoid this procedure, as he considers that the PANUT violates human rights.

In only 48 hours, Judge Gómez Fierro approved more than 12 appeals against this registry, and it is expected that more will be filed. It is worth noting that the suspensions approved only benefit the person who filed the appeal and prevent the application of the decree approved regarding mobile telephony.

El Financiero: Inician ‘lluvia de amparos’ contra padrón de telefonía móvil; juez da 5 suspensiones más

4. Mexico participates in Climate Leaders Summit

During his participation at the Climate Leaders Summit, convened by U.S. President Joe Biden, President Andrés Manuel López highlighted the Sembrando Vidas program, proposing its expansion to Central America with financial support from the U.S., while also defending national oil and gasoline production for domestic demand.

Likewise, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, participated in the summit, in which she presented a program with seven strategic axes in order to combat the city’s record-breaking drought. This plan includes, among other things, a greener city, sustainable water management and sustainable mobility.

Animal Político: AMLO defiende producción de petróleo y gasolina de México en Cumbre Climática.
Infobae: “Innovación, ciencia y tecnología”: Sheinbaum presumió plan para frenar emisiones en CDMX ante Cumbre de Líderes sobre el Cambio Climático

5. INE asks president to respect electoral ban in his press conferences

After President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated that the National Electoral Institute (INE) would commit a coup if they ask him to cancel another press conference. The INE warned that the president must comply with the law and the principles of neutrality during the electoral process, or he will be subject to a formal public complaint.
 
On the other hand, the federal judiciary’s electoral tribunal (TEPJF) will rule on the candidacies of Félix Salgado Macedonio, for the governorship of Guerrero, and Raúl Morón, for the governorship of Michoacán, after the General Council of INE approved the withdrawal of their candidacies from the process due to administrative faults in the auditing of expenses during the pre-campaign stage.

El Financiero: Si INE ordena bajar otra ‘mañanera’, sería un golpe de Estado técnico: López Obrador.
El Universal: INE pide a AMLO cumplir la ley en sus “mañaneras” o será acreedor a una amonestación.
Expansión: El Tribunal Electoral se pondrá a prueba por casos polémicos de Salgado y Morón