Justice Lenia Batres walked out of a private session of Mexico's Supreme Court after accusing a colleague of personal persecution [1, 2].

The incident highlights growing internal friction within the Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación, particularly regarding the influence of powerful private interests on judicial proceedings.

During a private session of the court's Second Chamber in Mexico City, Batres left the meeting following a confrontation with Justice Giovanni Figueroa [1, 2]. Batres said that Figueroa was pursuing her in a personal manner during the proceedings [1, 2].

According to reports, the conflict centered on questioning from Figueroa that Batres viewed as motivated by personal interests [1, 2]. She said that such pressure is linked to groups associated with businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego [2].

Batres said Figueroa was complicit and suggested that certain ministers were submitting to the influence of Salinas Pliego [2]. The exchange occurred on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 [2].

While the session was private, the details of the walkout emerged as the court handles high-profile cases involving corporate interests, and government regulation [1, 2]. The tension between the two justices reflects a deeper divide over the autonomy of the judiciary in the face of external pressure [2].

“Justice Lenia Batres walked out of a private session of Mexico's Supreme Court”

The public clash between Justices Batres and Figueroa underscores the vulnerability of the Mexican judiciary to political and corporate polarization. By explicitly linking a colleague's conduct to the influence of Ricardo Salinas Pliego, Batres has moved a private internal dispute into the public sphere, potentially questioning the impartiality of the Second Chamber's deliberations.