International

Mexico lawmakers vote to extend Supreme Court president term despite backlash

AFP/Editor

Mexican lawmakers on Friday approved a controversial reform extending the term of the Supreme Court president, despite criticism from the opposition and even within President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s own party.

The bill enabling Arturo Zaldivar, who is considered close to Lopez Obrador, to serve until 2024 was approved by the lower house of Congress, the Chamber of Deputies, by 262 votes to 182.

The change was approved by the upper house, the Senate, earlier this month.

Both chambers are dominated by Lopez Obrador’s Morena party and its allies.

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Usually Mexico’s Supreme Court judges are required to choose a president from among themselves every four years, with no possibility of re-election.

Lopez Obrador said last week that he supported the bill because there are “vices and nepotism” in the judiciary and Zaldivar is a “man of integrity.”

But the move has drawn criticism from legal experts, the opposition and some members of the left-wing populist’s party.

Zaldivar “cannot remain silent in the face of a pathetic violation of the constitution that goes down in history bearing his name,” veteran Morena lawmaker Porfirio Munoz Ledo said on Twitter.

The reform “disgraces all the members of the court by rating them as incompetent,” he added.

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Zaldivar said in a statement that the Supreme Court would consider any petition it receives challenging the constitutionality of the reform.

In a radio interview, he later said he was confident that his colleagues on the Supreme Court “will resolve the issue responsibly” and decide if it is constitutional.

International

US panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy

The United States Department of the Treasury confirmed to AFP that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design of a new collectible coin featuring Donald Trump, with members of the commission appointed by the current administration.

According to the proposal, the coin will feature an image of Trump standing with clenched fists over a desk on the obverse, while the reverse will display an eagle, a traditional symbol of the United States.

The sale price of the collectible has not yet been disclosed, although the United States Mint typically offers similar items for more than $1,000.

“There is no more iconic portrait for the front of these coins than that of our president Donald Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement sent to AFP. He added that two additional coins — a $1 piece and a one-ounce gold coin — are also under consideration.

However, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another body responsible for reviewing new coin proposals, declined to discuss the Trump design in late February.

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“Only nations governed by kings or dictators place the image of a sitting leader on their currency,” said Donald Scarinciat the time. “No country in the world has minted coins featuring a democratically elected leader during their term in office,” he added.

When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

International

Fed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict

Christopher Waller, a governor at the Federal Reserve, said Friday that he is increasingly concerned about the inflationary impact of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran, particularly due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waller, who had supported interest rate cuts over the past year amid concerns about the labor market, said he has shifted his stance in recent weeks due to rising inflation risks.

“Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, it suggests this conflict could be much more prolonged and that oil prices will remain elevated for longer,” Waller said in an interview with CNBC.

“Therefore, this indicates that inflation is a greater concern than I had previously assessed,” he added.

Waller also backed the Federal Reserve’s decision earlier this week to keep interest rates unchanged, signaling a more cautious approach as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect economic outlooks.

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International

Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint

The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.

In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.

Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.

The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.