Guadalajara Regional Chamber overturns exoneration of Mexicali Mayor

The Guadalajara Regional Chamber of the Federal Electoral Tribunal has overturned a ruling by the Baja California Electoral Justice Tribunal that had exonerated Mexicali Mayor Norma Alicia Bustamante Martínez and the SUTSPEMIDBC union from allegations of electoral proselytism and voter coercion during the 2024 election.

The case centered on an event titled ‘Cena entre amigos’ (Dinner among friends). Federal magistrates ruled that the event did indeed have a union character, contrary to the local tribunal's previous finding. Although the individual who extended the invitation lacked formal authority to represent the union, the court noted that the candidate recognized him as a representative and the union failed to timely or effectively distance itself from the actions. The local tribunal must now issue a new resolution based on these findings.