The judicial selection process in Chihuahua is currently facing intense scrutiny as concerns are being raised about the background and affiliations of some candidates. One such candidate, Silvia Delgado García, is finding herself at the center of a growing controversy. According to reports from El Financiero (2025), García, who is vying for a judicial position, previously served as a lawyer for the infamous drug lord Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán. This revelation, disseminated by the organization Defensorxs, has sparked widespread debate regarding her suitability for a role within the judiciary.

Who is Silvia Delgado García?

Silvia Delgado García is presently a candidate for a local criminal judge position in Chihuahua. Her legal career took an unexpected turn when she joined Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán’s defense team. Her responsibilities included acting as a direct liaison with Guzmán Loera, reviewing legal appeals, and keeping him informed about his legal standing. José Refugio Rodríguez Núñez and Andrés Granados Flores, senior attorneys, supervised her work, according to El Financiero (Benítez, 2025).

According to Miguel Alfonso Meza, a representative of Defensorxs, García's involvement went beyond routine legal assistance. «She filed an appeal in December 2016 requesting an additional blanket for her client, arguing that the low temperatures at the Federal Social Rehabilitation Center (CEFERESO) Number 9 in Ciudad Juárez were affecting his well-being,» Meza stated on X. Additionally, «In January 2017, she also reported that a prison guard was harassing Guzmán Loera during searches, although another of the team’s lawyers denied that the drug trafficker had reported suffering sexual harassment» (El Financiero, 2025).

Concerns About Her Candidacy

The association Defensorxs is actively scrutinizing candidates in the 2025 judicial election, raising concerns about potential connections to organized crime. Miguel Alfonso Meza highlighted Silvia Delgado García's past role in Guzmán's legal team, which is currently raising red flags, as noted by El Financiero (2025). The fact that a former lawyer for a notorious drug kingpin is now seeking a judicial role is prompting serious questions about impartiality and integrity within the judicial system.

Other Controversial Candidates

Silvia Delgado García is not the only candidate facing scrutiny. Fernando Escamilla, an aspirant for a District Judge position in Nuevo León, is also under investigation. According to Defensorxs, Escamilla has ties to lawyers representing Miguel Ángel Treviño and Eleazar Medina Rojas, both of whom have been extradited and are facing charges related to organized crime. Treviño, also known as ‘El Z-40,’ and his brother Omar Treviño Morales, alias ‘El Z-42,’ are considered leaders of the criminal organization Los Zetas (El Financiero, 2025).

Defensorxs' Role in Exposing Questionable Candidates

Defensorxs is playing a vital role in ensuring transparency and accountability in the judicial selection process. The organization is actively investigating candidates and bringing potential issues to light. In addition to raising concerns about individuals with alleged links to organized crime, Defensorxs has also filed complaints with the National Electoral Institute (INE) against Lenia Batres, Yasmín Esquivel, and Loretta Ortiz, ministers aligned with the 4T movement, for alleged campaign violations.

The Broader Context of Judicial Reform in Chihuahua

The controversy surrounding Silvia Delgado García's candidacy occurs within the context of broader judicial reforms being implemented in Chihuahua. The state is currently in the process of revamping its judicial system, and the integrity of the selection process is paramount to ensuring public trust. The association Defensorxs emphasizes that the selection of judges must be based on merit, impartiality, and a commitment to upholding the rule of law. The organization's efforts to expose questionable candidates are aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the judicial system and preventing individuals with potential conflicts of interest from assuming positions of power. The association’s website details the backgrounds of various candidates, including Silvia Delgado García, who graduated from the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez (UACJ) with a law degree, holds a master’s degree from the University of Durango, and specializes in Mediation from the Superior Court of Justice of Chihuahua. Her candidacy is reportedly supported by the governor of the state, Maru Campos (Benítez, 2025).

As the judicial selection process continues, it is clear that the scrutiny and debate surrounding these candidates will persist. The outcome of this process will have significant implications for the future of justice in Chihuahua.

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