On February 17, the Mexican Senate passed a constitutional amendment that defines 'foreign interference' as grounds for annulling election results, even as the opposition criticized the bill for being overly broad and potentially turning into a political tool.
The bill, presented by President Claudia Sheinbaum, defines foreign interference as including 'illegal financing, propaganda, systematic dissemination of false information, digital manipulation, and intervention by foreign governments or agencies.'
However, critics fear the bill's language is too vague, allowing almost anything to be used to cancel election results — from an article in a British newspaper, a statement by a U.S. official, to a report by an international non-governmental organization.
'This is one of the most harmful, alarming, and backward laws in the history of Mexico's young democracy,' wrote Arturo Sarukhan, former Mexican ambassador to the United States, on social media platform X. 'This law does not prevent foreign interference. It gives the government the power to veto election results it does not like.'
The bill comes amid increasing security pressure on Mexico from the United States. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to invade Mexico to combat drug cartels. Last month, the U.S. Justice Department indicted 10 current and former officials of Sinaloa state, including the governor, for ties to a powerful drug trafficking group.
The indictment of Governor Rubén Rocha Moya — a close ally of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador — has sent shockwaves through Mexico's political establishment. Sheinbaum has called on the U.S. to provide more evidence before considering extradition.
Following the indictment, Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of sovereignty and non-intervention. 'All Mexicans should agree that there must be no foreign interference in Mexico's elections,' she said during a press conference on February 17. 'We, Mexicans, decide who leads us.'
The bill passed as Mexico prepares for next year's midterm elections. The ruling Morena party currently holds the presidency and both houses of Congress but could lose its majority in the upcoming vote.
Under the bill, Mexico's electoral court can annul election results if it determines that a foreign organization, foreign government, or foreign citizen has intervened. However, the court has lost its independence under former President López Obrador and now largely sides with Morena.
'If Morena wants, they can claim foreign interference, and the court will rule in their favor,' said Carlos Bravo Regidor, a political analyst. 'The truth is, I see no positive aspect, no value in this bill. It is an abuse of power.'
Mexico's opposition has also strongly condemned the move. 'This is a trap for Morena to annul any election they want,' opposition PAN Senator Ricardo Anaya told reporters. 'What they want is absolute control.'
