The Mexican Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of extinguishing 109 trust funds established by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador for COVID-19 resources, concluding a dispute that started in 2020.
The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) has ruled that the extinction of 109 funds and trust funds mandated by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is constitutional. This decision marks the conclusion of a legal dispute that has been ongoing since 2020 regarding the allocation of resources to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The court's ruling affirmed that the dissolution of these trusts does not negate state obligations but rather alters the method of fulfilling them by transitioning to direct budgetary mechanisms.
Minister Arístides Guerrero, who proposed the ruling, indicated that the opposition senators' claim of unconstitutionality was unfounded. He emphasized that the modifications to the trust funds do not infringe upon fundamental rights, as various reformed laws ensure that relevant government departments continue to finance similar objectives using their respective budgets. The court's analysis showed a commitment to maintaining the integrity of necessary funding while adjusting how it is managed.
Among the trusts eliminated were those established for specific purposes, raising concerns about the implications for social programs and governmental responsibilities. Moving forward, the ruling raises questions about the future management of public funds during emergencies and the potential limitations on civil society organizations reliant on such resources for various social causes.
