Calderón Compares Mexico to Venezuela, Attacks Judicial Reform at Madrid Forum

Speaking at the European People's Party's Libertas Forum in Madrid on July 16, 2026, former President Felipe Calderón said Mexico is heading 'down the same path' as Venezuela, arguing that populism there 'destroyed the economy, destroyed the Judicial Power, and took over elections.' He sharply criticized Mexico's judicial reform — which introduced popular election of judges and magistrates — saying it let 'lawyers loyal to the Government, including lawyers for drug traffickers' onto candidate lists, and warned that under the new system citizens would 'never win a lawsuit against the Government.' Calderón also flagged complicated trade negotiations with the Trump administration as a growing economic risk. The remarks extended his public re-engagement in Mexican politics following his late-May defense of the drug war and the July accusations from Sheinbaum and Morena leadership tying his administration to the Sinaloa Cartel.