With 100 percent of votes tallied, Hugo Aguilar Ortiz—an indigenous jurist—emerged as the virtually elected President Magistrate of Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice (SCJN), earning a commanding 6,195,612 votes, according to the final count issued by the National Electoral Institute (INE) at 6:40 AM on June 5.
Aguilar Ortiz’s victory marks a historic milestone, as he becomes one of the first candidates of indigenous heritage to preside over the SCJN. Family sources and colleagues have highlighted that Aguilar Ortiz built his legal career defending human rights in rural communities, earning widespread respect among indigenous populations and legal scholars alike. His campaign emphasized judicial independence, increased access to legal services for marginalized groups, and greater transparency in Supreme Court proceedings.
According to INE data, Aguilar Ortiz secured his majority by appealing to a broad coalition of jurists, legal professionals, and civil society organizations. Analysts note that his grassroots connections and long record of community-focused advocacy set him apart from other contenders. While the SCJN presidency is officially a nonpartisan role, some political observers view Aguilar Ortiz’s background as symbolically significant, given Mexico’s ongoing efforts to integrate indigenous perspectives into federal institutions.
Voter turnout in this judicial election reached approximately 78 percent, reflecting strong public interest in the court’s future direction. Aguilar Ortiz’s nearest rival, a former appellate judge from Guadalajara, garnered around 2.4 million votes. In his victory statement, Aguilar Ortiz pledged to “uphold the rule of law impartially” and to “ensure that every Mexican—no matter their social or cultural background—receives fair treatment in our justice system.”
As President Magistrate, Aguilar Ortiz will serve a four-year term, overseeing administrative functions of the SCJN and presiding over the court’s weekly plenary sessions. His first tasks include finalizing the court’s 2025–2026 docket, appointing heads of key judicial committees, and launching an outreach initiative aimed at educating rural communities about their legal rights.
Observers note that Aguilar Ortiz now faces the challenge of balancing institutional priorities—such as tackling an estimated backlog of 18,000 pending cases—with emboldening judicial reforms. Critics warn that efforts to expand rural legal services could strain already limited SCJN resources. Nonetheless, supporters argue that his leadership offers a unique opportunity to bridge gaps between urban and indigenous constituencies.
The SCJN’s formal inauguration ceremony for Aguilar Ortiz is scheduled for June 20 in Mexico City’s Palacio de Justicia. Federal and state officials, legal academicians, and representatives from various indigenous organizations have been invited to attend. Aguilar Ortiz’s appointment is widely seen as a litmus test for the Mexican judiciary’s commitment to greater diversity and social inclusion.
