Mexico Supreme Court issues rulings on corruption recovery and indigenous rights

The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) has issued several rulings impacting asset recovery and legal standing for indigenous communities. In corruption-related matters, the Court rejected an appeal by former Pemex director Emilio Lozoya Austin to reverse the asset forfeiture of a residence valued at 51 million pesos, which was allegedly purchased with bribe money.

Additionally, the federal government recovered 5.8 million dollars linked to a corruption network involving former Public Security Secretary Genaro García Luna. The Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) reported that in two years, it has blocked 24,662 accounts, including 7,861 belonging to organized crime, involving a total of 8.67 billion pesos. The SCJN also ruled that federal judges can no longer grant injunctions to immediately unfreeze bank accounts blocked by the UIF.

In a separate landmark decision, the SCJN recognized indigenous communities as “third parties of interest” in constitutional controversies that affect them. This allows these communities to intervene in ongoing legal proceedings, consult case files, and present arguments to defend their rights, moving beyond the limited role of amicus curiae. Chief Justice Hugo Aguilar Ortiz described the move as an opportunity to correct “200 years of exclusion and racism.”