Mexico is about to organize the first judicial elections in Durango, but on the list are candidates with controversial history. One of them is Leopoldo Chavez, who is on the ballot for the position of federal judge, although he has been in a US prison.
El Chapo executes a life sentence sentence in Colorado. Profimedia photo
Chavez was convicted of drug offenses: for smuggling over 4 kilograms of methamphetamine in 2015. Duango is part of the golden triangle of Mexico, a controlled region of cartels and marijuana and opium poppy.
“I never sold as the perfect candidate”Chavez said in a video that he distributed on Facebook.
He said he had nothing to hide and that he had sentenced. He refused to comment on Reuters.
In the state of Jalisco, located nearby, on the Pacific coast, Francisco Hernandez is applying for the position of criminal magistrate, even though the last time he was dismissed by the Federal Judicial Council following an investigation of sexual abuse and corruption.
He told Reuters that the charges were “Slander and defamation”.
“Let people judge me”he said.
And in Naevo Leon, Fernando Escamilla hopes to become a federal criminal judge and states that the legal activity he has carried out as an advisor to the lawyers of the Ultra-Violent Los Zetas Cartel should not be retained against him.
“The fact that you are a counselor on international law or extradition issues gives you a bad public reputation? I don't think so is the only thing that you demonstrate that you have the ability and knowledge needed to manage these types of situations.”said Scamilla.
