Jailed Mexican drug lord El Chapo's ex-lawyer now a Mexican judge

A former attorney for notorious drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán has been elected as a judge in Ciudad Juárez, just across the border from the United States, according to results from Mexico’s first-ever judicial elections released Tuesday.

Silvia Delgado, 51, once served on Guzmán’s defense team while he was held in Ciudad Juárez before his 2017 extradition to the U.S. Despite her controversial background, Delgado secured one of the top vote counts among five women elected to judicial positions in northern Chihuahua state. They will serve alongside five male judges.

Her candidacy sparked significant debate, as she was among roughly 20 individuals flagged by the human rights group Defensorxs as "high-risk" due to alleged ties to organized crime, corruption, or sexual misconduct.


Delgado defended her work for Guzmán, arguing that everyone is entitled to legal representation. “Every person has the right to counsel,” she told voters, emphasizing her legal experience.

This election marks a historic shift for Mexico, making it the only country in the world where all judges and magistrates are chosen by popular vote. On June 1, citizens were called to elect 881 federal judges, including nine Supreme Court justices, as well as hundreds of local magistrates and judges. The rest of the judiciary is expected to be elected in 2027.

The reform has drawn sharp criticism, with opponents warning it could weaken judicial independence and expose judges to greater influence from criminal groups. The concerns are especially pronounced in a country where drug cartels, including the Sinaloa cartel co-founded by El Chapo, continue to exert deep influence over public institutions.