Overview
- López Benítez, 64, stepped down after 36 years in the federal judiciary, announcing her decision at the Seventh Collegiate Criminal Court in Mexico City.
- In a farewell speech, she argued the reform dismantled merit and judicial independence and pushed out experienced judges, including women who had broken glass ceilings.
- The Judicial Administration Organ refused her unpaid leave request, saying her absence would leave the panel incomplete because the other two magistrates were newly elected.
- Following the dissolution of the Judicial Council on August 31, she returned to her court and served 45 days before resigning, as 881 newly elected judges took office on September 1 under the new system.
- She also recounted opposing an August 6 proposal by the council’s assignment commission to place 87 unsuccessful judicial candidates in posts, a plan she said lacked justification.