Justice in Check: Strike at Mexico City Judicial Branch; Violence Reported

Mexico City's justice system is facing a complete standstill. The work stoppage by local judiciary workers has lasted more than 10 days after a failed dialogue, and is now escalating with reports of violence and the presence of alleged "shock groups."

What began as a labor dispute has morphed into an institutional crisis that threatens to collapse Mexico City's already overburdened justice system. For more than ten consecutive days, thousands of workers at the Superior Court of Justice (TSJ-CDMX) have held a work stoppage, closing courts and offices. The situation, far from being resolved, has escalated to an alarming level with reports of intimidation and physical violence.

Negotiations between union leaders and judicial authorities have reached a standstill. Workers report a "failed dialogue" and refuse to end the strike until their demands, which include improved wages and working conditions, are met.

Tensions reached a breaking point when physical clashes were reported at the entrances to the occupied buildings. Striking workers have reported the presence of alleged "shock groups," individuals outside the institution who, according to the protesters, were sent to break the strike by force.

"There were knockers at every door." – Testimony of a worker at the TSJ-CDMX during the clashes.

The emergence of these alleged "thugs" radically transforms the nature of the conflict. It is no longer a standard labor negotiation, but a story that points to intimidation and the use of repressive tactics to stifle legitimate protest. This situation suggests that there may be powerful interests within or outside the institution seeking to end the conflict by force rather than through dialogue, which represents a serious setback for democratic life and the rule of law in the capital.

While the power struggle unfolds in the halls and doors of the judiciary, the real victims are the thousands of citizens who depend on the system to resolve their problems. The paralysis of the courts has devastating consequences and creates a crisis of "justice denied" with a human face:

* Criminal Cases Detained: People awaiting trial, both at liberty and in pretrial detention, see their hearings postponed indefinitely.

* Family Conflicts in Limbo: Divorce, alimony, and child custody cases are frozen, directly affecting the well-being of children and families.

* Unresolved Civil and Commercial Disputes: Companies and individuals are unable to move forward in litigation, resulting in economic losses and a lack of legal certainty.

* Paralyzed Procedures: The issuance of documents and the completion of essential procedures are completely halted.

The strike in the Mexico City judiciary is no longer an internal matter. It has become a social crisis that highlights the fragility of the institutions and, with each passing day, widens the gap between citizens and their fundamental right to prompt and expeditious justice.