Mexico’s president to send 10-point justice system reform plan to Congress

World Today

President Enrique Pena Nieto has announced plans to reform the Mexican justice system, and he’ll send that plan to Congress on Monday. This comes after the disappearance of 43 students in Guerrero state and widespread street protests and outrage grow under his administration. Citizens may need some convincing on the effectiveness of the President’s plan.
CCTV America’s Franc Contreras reported this story from Mexico City.

During his first two years in office, Nieto passed sweeping reforms to lift his nation’s sluggish economy.

But during an address on Thursday, Nieto admitted that all is not well in Mexico. He said the disappearance of 43 students in Guerrero state underscored the deep-rooted nature of the problem with Mexican justice system.

“The tragedy in Iguala shows unacceptable conditions and institutional weakness we can no longer ignore,” Nieto said. “A criminal group controlled the territory. Municipal authorities were part of the organized crime structure.”

One part of the plan getting attention is his move to eliminate 18,000 municipal police forces and concentrate them into one single force in each of Mexico’s 31 states and the Federal District. Under the president’s plan, the police would receive higher salaries.

Analysts pointed out at least four previous presidents made similar promises, but police corruption continues to plague much of Mexico.

Nieto’s plan to create a national 911 number in case of emergencies also met widespread skepticism. In a reference to the 43 missing students, many people on social media were asking, “Why call the police when the police are the ones kidnapping and murdering people?”

A national organization called Mexico United Against Crime said the president’s 10-point plan to improve the justice system lacks a clear set of goals.

Human rights organizations pointed to the case of two migrants rights activists murdered on Nov. 23 in the State of Mexico. They said the state government is doing little to solve the crime.


Latin America Analyst Eric Rojo discusses Nieto’s justice system reform plan

CCTV America interviewed Eric Rojo, a Latin America analyst, for more insight into President Nieto’s plan to reform the country’s justice system.