On the afternoon of this Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the National Assembly installed Mercedes Caicedo as the new main vocalist of the Judicial Council (CJ) already Ramon Echaiz, as his substitute member.
Session 090 of the plenary session was held around 6:00 p.m., with a half-empty chamber, as 87 assembly members connected virtually, and with the presence of the judges of the National Court of Justice (CNJ).
After the National Anthem, the president of the legislature Niels Olsen took the oath of office to Caicedo and Echaiz and, subsequently, the possession minutes were signed.
Immediately, Mercedes Caicedo gave a 17-minute speech, in which he maintained that he assumes this designation as an institutional mandate and not as a personal recognition; At the same time, he committed to strengthening the CJ’s institutions and fighting corruption.
“In assuming this new responsibility, I do so with the same conviction with which I have exercised jurisdictional functions: to serve my country with independence, rigor and integrity. The Judiciary Council does not dictate sentences, but it creates the conditions so that they can be issued independently. Although it is true that the Council does not administer jurisdiction, it does administer the structure that allows justice to exist. Strengthening the Judiciary Council means strengthening democracy itself,” he stated.
The new head of the Judiciary spoke of renewal in this body and He emphasized that it will not be provided to serve personal or group interests. He also highlighted that He does not come to the institution to “administer comforts or preserve privileges.”
Likewise, he clarified that no one can take his name to ask for favors, exert pressure or offer undue influence.
“I am not here to promise immediate results or miraculous solutions; I am here to promise technical work, responsible decisions and institutional firmness,” he said.
At the same time, Mercedes Caicedo presented five axes with whom you will work in the CJ, these are:
- Judicial independence
- Meritocracy
- Fight against corruption
- Technological modernization
- Strengthening the judicial service and server security
Correismo does not recognize Mercedes Caicedo as head of the Judiciary
Before the installation of the possession session, The Citizen Revolution (RC) bench clarified that it does not recognize Mercedes Caicedo as the main member and president of the Judiciary Council, since he considered that his appointment in the CPCCS lacks legitimacy.
“We have been firm in rejecting these arbitrariness. The Judiciary Council has gone from the hands of Godoy and the questions of what came through the window, to having a law student as provisional and now, with the serious questions of Mrs. Caicedo, the takeover of justice is evident. We do not agree that we continue with this institutional crisis in the Judiciary Council,” said Assemblyman Luis Fernando Molina.
The Correismo legislator reviewed what happened with the former substitute member Alexandra Villacís and maintained that the Citizen Revolution bench has a contrary position and cannot recognize or legalize Caicedo’s possession.
In the middle of the possession of the main and substitute members, the Correismo legislators left the plenary hall.
Caicedo and Echaiz were designated as main and alternate members with five votes from the members of the Council for Citizen Participation and Social Control (CPCCS). Caicedo will assume the position left by Mario Godoy, censured and dismissed by the National Assembly on February 18; while Echaiz will occupy the substitute position left by Alexandra Villacís, a former member, disqualified by the Ministry of Labor from holding public office.
For this reason, Mercedes Caicedo will assume the presidency of the CJ for the remainder of the year. period 2025-2031. (YO)
