On November 20, 2024, Zacatecas became the 15th state in Mexico to legalize abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. This significant decision marks a key moment in the country’s ongoing shift in abortion policies, which continue to stir debate.
Key Changes and Legal Considerations
The new law defines abortion as the termination of a pregnancy after the first 12 weeks and introduces penalties for forced abortion. It is now a criminal offense to terminate a pregnancy without the individual’s consent at any stage of gestation. While the reform focuses on expanding access to safe and legal abortion, it also highlights the ongoing debate surrounding consent and autonomy in reproductive health.
Zacatecas follows other states like Sinaloa, where abortion is allowed up to 13 weeks, and Coahuila, which has eliminated abortion penalties, though it has yet to finalize procedural guidelines.
The Role of MORENA in Shaping Abortion Laws
The political backdrop of this reform is largely influenced by MORENA, the governing party of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and, more recently, Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office on October 1, 2024. Under MORENA’s leadership, several states, including Jalisco, Michoacán, San Luis Potosí, and now Zacatecas, have moved to legalize abortion during the first trimester.
Next Steps and Implementation Challenges
While the Zacatecas Congress has decriminalized abortion, the focus now shifts to practical implementation. Lawmakers will need to amend the state’s Health Law to define how and where abortion services will be provided. Ensuring accessibility, securing funding, and raising awareness about these new rights will be key to the reform’s success.
Opposition and Pushback in Other States
As progressive abortion policies take hold in some areas, others remain entrenched in opposition. In Guanajuato, Archbishop Jaime Calderón has expressed concern over proposed measures that would allow abortion up to nine months of pregnancy. He described such proposals as an attack on the dignity of human life and “inadmissible discrimination against the unborn.”
In Chiapas, recent constitutional amendments have introduced exceptions to the state’s commitment to protecting life, which critics argue weaken the original intention. Bishop Rodrigo Aguilar Martínez of San Cristóbal de las Casas has warned of the broader ethical and societal consequences, urging lawmakers to reconsider these changes.
A Divided Nation
Zacatecas’ decision underscores the deep divisions in Mexican society over abortion rights. Supporters see the reform as a win for personal autonomy, safety, and public health. Opponents, however, continue to question the moral and legal limits surrounding the right to life and human rights.
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