Puebla, Pue., July 15. The Puebla State Congress discussed a bill today seeking to decriminalize abortion within 12 weeks of gestation. At around 1:00 p.m., with 29 votes in favor, six against, and four abstentions, the proposal was approved in general.
Various groups had gathered in front of the Congress building to express their support. Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Puebla , Víctor Sánchez Espinosa, had demanded that local representatives reject the bill during a Sunday mass . Right-wing groups such as the National Family Front had joined in the opposition to the decriminalization of abortion.
However, women's rights activists reminded legislators of their obligation to respect the Constitution and the secular state.
The president of the Board of Directors of Congress, José Miguel Octaviano Huerta Rodríguez, confirmed that the ruling was approved in all its terms, and will therefore be sent to the state Executive Branch for publication in the Official Gazette .
Following the confirmation, groups celebrated the legalization of abortion with music and cheers. With this decision, Puebla becomes the 14th state nationwide to approve abortion within 12 weeks of gestation.
