Mexico’s Senate approved the resignation of Attorney General Alejandro Gertz on Thursday, bringing an abrupt end to his five year tenure and feeding a wider public debate over how the federal government is confronting violent crime across the country. The announcement drew immediate attention in Mexico City, where officials and analysts have been weighing the impact of recent security failures.
The decision places fresh pressure on President Claudia Sheinbaum, whose administration has been facing steady questions since the killing of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo in early November. The attack, carried out in Michoacan, added to a long list of incidents linked to criminal groups and sharpened scrutiny of the government’s overall approach to public safety. For many residents, the case became another symbol of just how challenging the security landscape remains.
The Senate confirmed Gertz’s departure with seventy four votes in favour and twenty two against. Legislators reported no abstentions. Gertz, now eighty six, had led the nation’s top legal office since 2019 and had originally been expected to complete a nine year term running through 2028. His tenure covered a turbulent period in which homicides, kidnappings and organised crime operations repeatedly tested federal institutions.
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Earlier in the day, Sheinbaum acknowledged that she had received formal communication from the Senate related to the matter. Speaking at her regular morning briefing, she said she was in the middle of reviewing the document. She explained that she would offer a full update on Friday.
“I received a document from the Senate that I am analysing,” she said.
Under Mexican law, Sheinbaum is required to send three names to the Senate as potential replacements. Lawmakers will then choose the next attorney general through a two thirds vote. Local media have mentioned Ernestina Godoy, a long time ally of the president and former Mexico City attorney general, as a likely contender, although the government has not commented on possible nominees or the timetable for the selection.
Gertz’s years in office were marked by a rise in public concern over criminal violence and persistent calls for deeper accountability within federal law enforcement. According to Reuters, Mexico has been struggling with well armed groups operating across several states, including Michoacan, where Manzo was killed. The situation has left many communities feeling exposed and has placed consistent pressure on national authorities to deliver stronger outcomes.
The coming days are expected to bring more clarity on the list of candidates and the political preparations ahead of the Senate vote.
