Mexico's Supreme Court Holds First Session Outside Capital

For the first time in its history, Mexico's Supreme Court packed up its grand chambers and brought justice to the people instead of waiting for the people to come to them.

Six of the nine Supreme Court justices made the nearly 900-kilometer journey to Tenejapa, a remote mountain town in Chiapas, to hold an official session right in the community's modest central square. Around 2,000 residents gathered under a white tent to witness history unfold.

The justices traded their imposing art deco building in Mexico City for a simple rectangular table, sitting face to face with attendees. Several wore traditional Indigenous attire and hats from the region, embracing the local culture as they conducted official business.

The two-hour drive from San Cristóbal de las Casas tested everyone's patience, with the judicial convoy navigating narrow curves and countless potholes. But the difficult journey proved worthwhile when the Court delivered real results for the community.

The justices officially recognized the self-government rights of the Tzotzil community of La Candelaria in San Cristóbal de las Casas. By majority vote, they ordered the state Congress to create the legal framework needed for full self-rule and guaranteed the village would receive its budget directly.

La Candelaria, home to about 1,500 people, had been demanding autonomy for years. Now they finally have it.

The Ripple Effect

Chief Justice Hugo Aguilar said the Court chose Tenejapa for its "clear social and territorial relevance." Chiapas is home to the third largest Indigenous population in Mexico, representing 12 of the country's 68 Indigenous groups.

This new approach reflects a broader shift in how Mexico's highest court operates. The justices are the first to be elected by the people rather than appointed, part of an effort to make the Court more responsive and accountable to everyday citizens.

Some observers dismissed the event as merely symbolic, but the gratitude from local Indigenous leaders holding "right to self-determination" signs told a different story. They weren't just witnessing a photo opportunity. They were watching their decades-long fight for recognition finally succeed.

The Court plans to continue bringing justice to far-flung corners of the country, creating what officials call "a more inclusive and accessible legal culture." For communities that have felt forgotten by Mexico City's power centers, that accessibility could mean everything.