Mexico Objects to OAS Preliminary Report on Judicial Elections

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly objects to several recommendations contained in the preliminary report by observers sent for the June 1 judicial elections. Mexico's Permanent Mission to the Organization of American States (OAS) delivered this position via diplomatic note to the Organization's Secretary General.

The diplomatic note states that the OAS Electoral Observation Mission exceeded its mandate and violated the Organization's Charter principles. Article 3(e) specifically states that "every State has the right to choose, without external interference, its political, economic and social system, and to organize itself in the way that best suits it."

Electoral Observation Missions lack the authority to try to impose their own criteria on how countries should structure their judicial branches when exercising their sovereignty. They have even less authority to make value judgments that exceed their responsibilities.

The observers' own report confirms that Mexico organized and conducted the June 1 elections in full compliance with the country's constitutional requirements and electoral laws.