Over the weekend, the new president of Mexico’s Supreme Court took advantage of a Constitution Day commemoration to defend judicial independence.
Court President Norma Piña remained conspicuously seated as President Andrés Manuel López Obrador joined other high-ranking officials on stage at a theater in Queretaro on the 106th anniversary of Mexico's constitution.
López Obrador has regularly criticized the court and recently saidhe has faith in only a handful of its justices.
“An independent judiciary is a pillar of our democracy,” Piña said, with the president listening nearby.
She went on to say that failing to preserve and strengthen it will come at the expense of those who come to the courts demanding justice.
The next day, López Obrador said Piña’s decision to not stand filled him with pride because it showed that the president doesn’t give the justices orders.
