A landmark court ruling has dashed hopes for campaigners who have been pushing to decriminalise abortion in Mexico.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court rejected an injunction which would have effectively decriminalised termination of pregnancy in the first 12 weeks.
The case went to Mexico's Supreme Court after a local judge in Veracruz approved an injunction to pave the way for the planned removal of articles, which would have decriminalised abortions in the first 12 weeks, allowed terminations to proceed for health reasons and scrapped the time limit on access to abortions in rape cases.
Abortion has only legally been permitted in two Mexican states but this decision had been expected to signal how the conservative country might move forward on this controversial issue.
In 2008, Mexican states won the power to determine their own health policies including abortion.
Some anti-abortion activists have claimed the 4-1 decision as a win and celebrated outside Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation in Mexico City.
The Mexican Bishops' Conference expressed its support for the decision and tweeted the Mexican culture of life was triumphing.
Protesters have celebrated the abortion court ruling Source: Getty
But campaigners who have been advocating for women to have a choice over their own bodies have expressed disappointment, particularly over the court citing a technical issue in its judgement.
Activist Pascale Brennan said the fight will continue despite this setback.
"We have spent all our lives in this struggle," she said.
The Centre for Reproductive Rights has previously argued abortion was essential healthcare required during the coronavirus pandemic.
