Judicial systems across Latin America face restructuring and scrutiny

Various Latin American nations are experiencing significant judicial shifts and controversies. In Paraguay, the Judicial Discipline Council (JEM) has moved to impeach and suspend Judge Cristhian Ariel Sánchez Zaracho for allegedly facilitating the auction of assets seized from organized crime. Additionally, a complaint regarding the alleged overpricing of luxury vehicles purchased by the Supreme Court was dismissed after authorities found no evidence of patrimonial harm.

In Ecuador, the Council of the Judiciary (CJ) has implemented a restructuring that eliminated specialized anti-corruption judicial units. This decision has relocated 19 specialized judges to different districts, sparking criticism regarding the potential loss of expertise in handling organized crime and narcotics cases. Separately, Ecuador's Ministry of Health faces instability following the appointment of Juan Carlos Aveiga Parra, marking the eighth leadership change in the sector since late 2023.

Other regional developments include a competitive selection process in the Dominican Republic, where approximately 90 candidates are vying for six seats on the Supreme Court of Justice. In Chile, the Ministry of Justice is addressing a crisis in local police courts, citing a lack of statistical data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) as a factor in judicial delays, amid broader public dissatisfaction with the legal system.