The Wheels of Justice Turn, But Only for Some

If there’s one thing Claudia Sheinbaum’s morning press conference confirmed, it’s that Mexican politics is no stranger to a bit of good old-fashioned chaos. A veritable smorgasbord of scandal, legal battles, and political maneuvering was served up with all the subtlety of a piñata filled with dynamite. So, grab a strong coffee—or better yet, a tequila—and settle in, because this tale of corruption, extraditions, and judicial wrangling will make your head spin faster than a Mariachi band on speed.

First up in the roll call of Mexico’s most wanted is Genaro García Luna, a man who once held the lofty title of Secretary of Public Security. That was back in the days of Felipe Calderón’s administration, when the "war on drugs" was supposed to be the solution to Mexico’s crime problems. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. Now, García Luna finds himself sentenced to a solid 38.8 years in a U.S. prison. But it’s not just Uncle Sam who has an eye on him. Oh no, Mexico wants a piece of that action too, and why wouldn’t they?

As it turns out, García Luna is knee-deep in a quagmire of legal trouble that makes his 38.8-year stint in the U.S. look like a holiday in Cancun. Rosa Icela Rodríguez, Mexico’s Secretary of the Interior, stood at the podium with the air of someone revealing a particularly sordid family secret. She calmly announced that three arrest warrants are ready and waiting for García Luna right here in Mexico. And before you ask, no, these warrants have absolutely nothing to do with his American conviction. In fact, they’re tied to three juicy scandals that would give a Mexican telenovela a run for its money:

1. The spectacularly named "Operation Fast and Furious," which, disappointingly, has less to do with Vin Diesel and car chases and more to do with gun smuggling.
2. The misuse of powers in privatizing prisons. (Yes, because when you’re up to no good, you might as well dabble in the prison sector too.)
3. Handing out contracts for prison equipment like they were birthday party favors—irregularly, of course.

In other words, García Luna’s days of luxury are long gone. Now, he’s facing more legal entanglements than a fly caught in a spider’s web. And just to spice things up, Mexico isn’t just after him. Oh no, they want his wife and several collaborators extradited too. Pablo Gómez, the head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (a title that practically screams ‘I know where the money’s hidden’), confirmed that the paperwork is being prepped. It’s all very official, very ominous, and very inconvenient for anyone who was hoping this mess would quietly disappear.

Judges, Complaints, and Judicial Drama

Just when you thought Mexico couldn’t squeeze any more chaos into one press conference, along comes President Sheinbaum with a fresh complaint against a judge. Now, if you’re thinking, “Oh great, just what we needed, another judge scandal,” well, you’re not wrong.

Apparently, this particular judge has gone rogue, asking for a legislative publication to be taken down. This isn’t just any old piece of paperwork, mind you. It’s tied to a legislative process that involves constitutional change. Yes, constitutional change. The kind of thing that’s supposed to be sacred, untouchable, and definitely not subject to the whims of a single judge.

Sheinbaum wasn’t pulling any punches. She’s filed a complaint with the Federal Judicial Council (CJF), the body that is supposed to keep judges in line, and openly questioned why this council isn’t doing its job. “We already know that the Council is not doing its job,” she declared, a phrase dripping with the sort of frustration you’d expect from someone who has just realized they’re stuck in a broken bureaucratic system. Her point was simple: impunity cannot be allowed to continue, and this judge’s actions need to be nipped in the bud before they set a dangerous precedent. Because the last thing you want is for every judge with a grievance to start ignoring constitutional reforms like they’re optional.

Judicial Branch vs. Congress

Now, if you’re thinking that a rogue judge would be enough to cap off a morning of legal drama, you’d be wrong. There’s more—because in Mexico, there’s always more. Enter Ernestina Godoy, who took the mic to remind everyone that the Judicial Branch is overstepping its boundaries. Apparently, some judges have taken it upon themselves to question and attempt to reverse the judicial reforms that were recently passed. And if that sounds like a recipe for conflict, well, you’re absolutely right.

Godoy, in no uncertain terms, accused these judges of having a clear conflict of interest. “They are disobeying the Constitution,” she said, her words as blunt as a hammer. It’s one thing to disagree with a law. It’s another thing entirely for a judge to act like they have the authority to throw out constitutional changes because they simply don’t like them. The bottom line? Congress makes the laws, and the judges are supposed to follow them, not the other way around. But with appeals flying left, right, and center, Godoy made it clear that there’s a judicial crisis brewing—a battle between the Judicial Branch and the Congress of the Union that threatens to shake the foundations of Mexico’s legal system.

So, what does all this mean? Well, for one thing, it means that Mexican politics is currently a soap opera of epic proportions. Between García Luna’s impending extradition, rogue judges flexing their muscles, and a government that’s openly frustrated with its own judicial system, it’s clear that nothing is straightforward. But then again, when is it ever?

If nothing else, Claudia Sheinbaum’s press conference served as a stark reminder that in Mexico, the wheels of justice turn slowly—if they turn at all. Corruption, legal battles, and political intrigue are just part of the daily grind. And as we sit here, watching it all unfold, we can’t help but wonder: will this ever end? Probably not. But at least it’s never boring.