Judicial Appointments in Quintana Roo Raise Experience Concerns

Chetumal — The Superior Court of Justice of the State (TSJE) has designated the officials responsible for the unitary chambers that will review appeals in matters of asset forfeiture in Quintana Roo, a measure that has prompted questions due to the lack of professional experience of some of the new magistrates.

According to the agreement published in the Official Gazette on November 10, the Fifth and Sixth Chambers, based in Cancún, will handle appeals derived from rulings issued by the sole specialized court in this matter. The Fifth Chamber, headed by Fabián Azael Gamboa Song, has previous experience in the Public Defender’s Office and as a judge in adoption matters, giving him experience in litigation and administration of justice.

In contrast, the appointment of José Raúl Galán Muedano to lead the Sixth Chamber has generated controversy. Galán Muedano obtained his law degree only in 2022 and, according to official records, his work experience is limited to notary offices and activities unrelated to litigation. During his candidacy, he was questioned for inflating his professional experience, which has cast doubt on his ability to assume a position that involves reviewing high-impact cases.

The specialized court in asset forfeiture will be headed by Jorge Luis Herrera Alor, who has also been criticized for his predominantly real estate background and his political history in Veracruz.

Asset forfeiture allows the State to confiscate assets linked to serious crimes when the owner cannot demonstrate their lawful origin, making the experience and professionalism of judges and magistrates fundamental to guaranteeing justice and avoiding errors that affect third-party rights.

These appointments are part of the reorganization of the Judicial Branch, which now operates with two judicial circuits: the First Circuit, in the southern zone of the state, and the Second Circuit, in the northern zone, where both the specialized court and the chambers that will review appeals are concentrated.

Although the TSJE maintains the integration of 10 Unitary Chambers and one Collegiate Chamber, and made only one adjustment in the Constitutional Chamber, doubts persist about the selection criteria and the suitability of some profiles, especially for resolving such delicate procedures as asset forfeiture.