# Mexico Supreme Court leadership dispute > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mexico-supreme-court-governance-conflict > Updated: 2026-08-05T16:23:10.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2. In mid‑July, the Mexican Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation outlined its internal staffing structure and called for respect and reconciliation among its justices as it entered a summer recess, while noting pending high‑profile cases such as the double‑VAT dispute under the IMMEX program and the issue of preventive detention. Weeks later, President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly urged a resolution of a constitutional ambiguity created by the 2024 judicial reform, which left two possible mechanisms for selecting the court’s president: the runner‑up in the internal vote would assume the role on 1 September 2027, or the current president could appoint a successor. She highlighted that, under the former rule, Lenia Batres is slated to become president and called for clarification of the constitutional text while stressing respect for all ministers. In early August 2026, Sheinbaum again flagged the dispute, noting that a group of prominent businessmen, including Carlos Slim, had voiced concerns and suggested alternative candidates to Lenia Batres. She emphasized that the decision belongs to the justices themselves and said she would not propose any constitutional amendment to settle the matter. On 5 August 2026, she reiterated her position, describing the contradiction in Article 94 of the Constitution and confirming that she will leave the leadership choice to the Court’s ministers, despite the businessmen’s meeting and their proposals for other candidates. That same day, a regional report covering judicial developments across Latin America referenced Sheinbaum’s remarks, noting that business leaders continued to express unease about Lenia Batres Guadarrama’s possible appointment and reaffirming that the resolution of the SCJN leadership issue rests with the Court itself. ## Claims - Claudia Sheinbaum said the Constitution contains a contradiction over the succession of the SCJN presidency. (single source) - The 2024 judicial reform left two possible mechanisms for selecting the SCJN president. (single source) - Lenia Batres is slated to assume the SCJN presidency on 1 September 2027 under one selection modality. (single source) - A group of prominent businessmen met with Sheinbaum to suggest alternative candidates to Lenia Batres for the SCJN presidency. (single source) - Businessmen present at the meeting included Carlos Slim, Germán Larrea, Alejandro Baillères, Carlos Hank González, Bernardo Gómez and José Medina Mora. (single source) - Sheinbaum said she would not push a constitutional amendment to resolve the SCJN succession issue. (single source) - Article 94 of the Mexican Constitution establishes a rotating two‑year term for the SCJN presidency based on internal voting results. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-05: Dominican Supreme Court judges quit evaluation amid judicial controversy Dominican Supreme Court judges resign from CNM evaluation; Costa Rica protests judicial independence; Mexico’s president flags constitutional clash over SCJN leadership; Peru warns of covert mayoral re‑election 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexicos-president-sheinbaum-calls-for-resolution-of-supreme-court-presidency-constitutional-conflict ### 2026-07-13: Mexico's Supreme Court outlines staff structure, calls for ministerial reconciliation and announces summer recess Mexico's Supreme Court detailed its multidisciplinary staff, urged ministerial reconciliation after internal disputes, and entered a July‑August recess, leaving key cases on double VAT under IMMEX and preventi​ 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-supreme-court-discloses-staff-size-and-salaries-for-ministers-chambers --- Cite as: Mexico Supreme Court leadership dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mexico-supreme-court-governance-conflict