Mexico proposal for elected judges a 'risk to democracy

The United States warned Thursday that the direct election of judges proposed by the Mexican government "will threaten" the trade relationship between the two countries and could benefit drug cartels.

Mexico is one of the United States's largest trading partners. The two share a free trade agreement that also includes Canada. The election of judges and magistrates by popular vote is part of a reform to the judiciary proposed to Congress by leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

The proposal will be put before the session of Mexico's legislature that begins on September 1, with the ruling party holding the required seats to achieve approval. The reform is fully supported by Mexico's incoming president, Claudia Sheinbaum, who will take office on October 1.