From Goatherd to Chief Justice: Hugo Aguilar Ortiz’s Incredible Journey

Once herding goats in a remote village, Hugo Aguilar Ortiz is now the chief justice of Mexico's Supreme Court. His election symbolizes a significant judicial reform aimed at increasing accessibility to justice.

In the picturesque, remote hills of Oaxaca, Mexico, Hugo Aguilar Ortiz's early life was spent herding goats amidst the stunning backdrop of a Mixtec-speaking community. Despite a childhood filled with limited ambitions and local folklore, at 52, he now stands as the chief justice of Mexico’s Supreme Court. "I thought the world ended at the mountains," he reflects on his upbringing, revealing how unaware he was of his eventual path to law.

Ortiz's recent election is revolutionary, occurring during Mexico’s first judicial elections, a strategic move by the left-leaning Morena party that aimed to reshape the country’s judiciary. This sweeping reform saw constitutional changes allowing voters across Mexico to directly elect judges, replacing the traditional appointment-based system. The initiative has sparked heated debates within the country, as critics express concerns over diminishing checks on the power of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration.

Advocates for the reform, however, believe it is imperative in addressing systemic corruption and nepotism within the judicial landscape, potentially allowing voices from marginalized communities—like that of Ortiz—to emerge into prominent roles. "Things can change now that we have Hugo there," says Alejandro Marreros Lobato, a human rights activist supported by Ortiz in legal proceedings against a controversial mining project affecting indigenous lands.

As the new chief justice, Aguilar Ortiz embodies hope for a fairer judiciary, inspiring many who aspire for justice and equity within Mexico’s evolving legal framework.