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Mexico’s Supreme Court Faces Turmoil as Eight Justices Resign Amid Controversial Judicial Reform
In a significant shake-up, eight of Mexico’s 11 Supreme Court justices announced their resignation on Wednesday, setting the stage for heightened political tension between the judiciary and the government. According to a statement from the court, the resignations come as a response to a newly enacted constitutional reform that mandates Supreme Court justices be elected by popular vote, a shift aimed at increasing judicial accountability but one that has sparked strong resistance within the judiciary.
Among those stepping down are Chief Justice Norma Piña, along with Justices Luis María Aguilar, Jorge Mario Pardo, Alfredo Gutiérrez, Alberto Pérez, Javier Laynez, Juan Luis González, and Margarita Ríos. Seven of these resignations will take effect on August 31, 2025, with Aguilar set to leave office slightly earlier, on November 30, 2025.
The reform, which requires justices who opt out of the upcoming June election to resign if they wish to retain their pensions, has stirred discontent across Mexico’s legal community. Many judicial workers have voiced concerns about the reform, claiming it compromises the independence of the judiciary and subjects justices to political pressures. The impending vacancies underscore growing friction between Mexico’s highest court and the ruling coalition, led by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s Morena party, which has been a vocal advocate for the changes.
Justice Gutiérrez emphasized in his resignation letter on Tuesday that his decision to leave should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the reform’s constitutionality. Ríos echoed this sentiment in her letter to the Senate, clarifying that her resignation “should not be seen as an implicit endorsement of a [reform] framework that remains controversial.”
The judicial overhaul, passed last month, intends to reduce the Supreme Court’s size from 11 to nine members as part of a broader restructuring of Mexico’s judiciary. As it stands, three of the remaining justices have publicly supported the reforms, while others have yet to disclose their positions. However, the resignations place the Supreme Court in a precarious position as the judiciary continues to clash with both Congress and the presidency over the reforms.
Analysts warn that the upcoming June elections for Supreme Court justices could lead to a constitutional crisis if the resignations are seen as a coordinated resistance to the reform. Critics argue that the law could allow for increased government influence over the court, particularly with justices now having to campaign publicly to retain their seats.
The ongoing standoff between Mexico’s Supreme Court and the federal government reflects deeper issues regarding judicial independence and the role of the judiciary in balancing power. The sweeping resignations are likely to add to concerns over how Mexico’s political landscape could be reshaped, especially as the judiciary undergoes a transformation unseen in recent history.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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