Mexico’s leader criticises move to block military control of National Guard
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Loading... - Alvarez Daniella
- 20 Apr 2023
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Mexico’s supreme court has struck down President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s attempt to put the National Guard under military control, a blow to the leftist leader’s strategy of expanding the powers of the armed forces. López Obrador on Wednesday attacked the justices for ruling against his plan, claiming they were “responding to the interests of the elites and not the voice of the people”. He vowed to try to secure a constitutional majority in congress next year for a fresh attempt to impose military control over the guard. The populist president has already handed control of construction projects, ports, an airport and customs to the military, saying they are less corrupt than other institutions. His critics say the measures avoid vital checks and balances and are part of a campaign of undermining democratic institutions.
Months after taking office in 2018, López Obrador scrapped Mexico’s Federal Police, saying it was corrupt. He replaced it with the new National Guard, which was initially under civilian control.
A new law last year would have put the force, now numbering 128,000, under the control of the defence ministry, but implementation was suspended pending Tuesday’s court decision. Opponents challenged the law, saying that placing the National Guard under military control required a constitutional change — something the president lacks a majority for — rather than simple legislation. Read More…
