Supreme Court of Mexico Freezes Additional $211 Million from National Budget

The Supreme Court of Mexico has decided to increase the amount of frozen funds in the national budget, further escalating the constitutional controversy between the government of President Vicente Fox and the Chamber of Deputies. This decision affects 6.5 billion pesos (approximately $587 million), which will remain suspended until the controversy is resolved. The additional 2.34 billion pesos (approximately $211 million) in frozen funds had originally been earmarked for a program benefiting indigenous communities.

Key Takeaways:

• The Supreme Court has increased the amount of frozen funds in the national budget from 4.2 billion pesos to 6.5 billion pesos (approximately $379 million to $587 million).
• The additional 2.34 billion pesos (approximately $211 million) in frozen funds had been set aside for a program benefiting indigenous communities.
• The Chamber of Deputies had originally earmarked these funds for various purposes, including the benefit of 20 states, 89 municipalities, and three administrative districts of Mexico City.
• President Vicente Fox had requested the suspension of these funds on December 22, 2004.
• The Recess Committee of the Supreme Court granted Fox's request, resulting in the initial suspension of 4.2 billion pesos.

Statistics:

• 6.5 billion pesos ($587 million) in national budget funds are now frozen, an increase of 2.3 billion pesos ($211 million) from the initial 4.2 billion pesos ($379 million).
• 2.34 billion pesos ($211 million) of the frozen funds were originally earmarked for indigenous communities.
• 20 states, 89 municipalities, and three administrative districts of Mexico City were initially set to benefit from the suspended funds.
• December 22, 2004, is the date President Vicente Fox requested the suspension of funds.

Sources:

• Diario de Yucatan
• Internet Securities, Inc. via COMTEX
• Supreme Court of Justice (SCJN)
• Chamber of Deputies