Silvia Delgado is weaving through the traffic at the Bridge of the Americas in Ciudad Juárez, energetically distributing her campaign leaflets to drivers waiting in line. “I’m running for penal judge,” she exclaims with enthusiasm, urging voters to select number 12 on the ballot. Sunday marks a pivotal moment for Mexican democracy, as the nation conducts separate elections to select all judiciary positions via direct public votes.
Delgado’s political journey is anything but ordinary, her pamphlets intentionally omitting mention of her most infamous client, the notorious drug trafficker Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán. Critics argue her past as the defense attorney for the Sinaloa Cartel leader disqualifies her from becoming a judge. Yet, Delgado remains steadfast against any claims of impropriety: “Why should it disqualify me for simply doing my job?” she says, defending her role in providing a proper legal defense.
El Chapo currently serves a life sentence in the United States. While Delgado has not faced any criminal charges or investigations linked to her client, the prominent human rights organization Defensorxs has marked her as one of 19 “high-risk candidates” in this election, alongside those with previous drug convictions or allegations of violence. Defensorxs director Miguel Alfonso Meza warns, “Once someone has worked with a cartel, it’s hard for them to operate independently,” expressing concern over Delgado's past connections.
Delgado, visibly frustrated, dismisses this assessment as “stupid”, and challenges the claims against her character: “How can they prove such accusations? I was paid a normal salary for my legal work.”
Competing for one of over 7,500 judicial positions, from local magistrates to Supreme Court judges, Delgado stands alongside other candidates amid a backdrop of criticism and protests against the reform that allows the public to elect judges. Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s dissatisfaction with judicial limits led to this significant overhaul. Supporters assert that the United States and other countries benefit from elected judges, but critics are wary of potential political manipulation of the judiciary, concerned that personal loyalties might sway judicial integrity.
Another candidate, Olivia Aguirre Bonilla, also from Ciudad Juárez and focused on human rights, highlights the opportunity for meaningful change in an often-corrupted system. Despite her concerns regarding the process’s legitimacy, she believes this election can democratize the judiciary, allowing citizens to hold judges accountable.
As the elections draw near, questions surrounding the ethical implications of candidates like Delgado and the varied opinions on the reform are more critical than ever. With voter turnout projected as an indicator of public support for the judicial reform, all eyes will be on the polling stations this Sunday. For Delgado, whose past ties to one of the world’s most dangerous criminals make her story particularly compelling, the hope is that the citizens of Ciudad Juárez will affirm her capabilities to adjudicate fairly in the upcoming elections.
