Mexican Supreme Court decriminalizes abortion nationwide

The Mexican Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a sweeping ruling that decriminalized abortion nationwide, determining that to attach penalties to the procedure "violate[d] the human rights of women."

Wednesday's decision follows a 2021 ruling from the court that permitted state officials to regulate the procedure, according to the New York Times.

Prior to the ruling, abortion was legal in 12 of the nation's 32 states. The outlet observed that the decision "effectively makes abortion legally accessible in all" of the Mexican states.

The largely Roman Catholic country has traditionally been restrictive of abortions rights, but joins other Latin American nations such as Argentina in expanding abortion access in recent years.

The Argentine legislature approved legislation to legalize abortion in late 2020, despite the pleas of Pope Francis I, a native of the country.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.