Claudia Sheinbaum Makes History as Mexico’s First Female President
Mexico welcomes a new era as Claudia Sheinbaum officially takes office today as the country’s first female president, NBC News reports.
Sheinbaum’s inauguration, taking place at the Legislative Palace of San Lázaro in Mexico City, is a historic moment, drawing a number of high-ranking officials including US First Lady Jill Biden and presidents from several African and Latin American nations.
Sheinbaum, a former mayor of Mexico City and climate scientist, secured her historic victory in a landslide election on June 2, defeating her opponents from the Broad Front for Mexico and the Citizen Movement. As a member of the governing Morena party, she is expected to follow in the footsteps of her mentor and predecessor, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
The leftist Morena party, founded by López Obrador, has dominated Mexican politics since 2018. López Obrador leaves office with an approval rating of nearly 80%, a testament to his popularity fueled by welfare policies, social programs aimed at poverty reduction, and promises to combat corruption.
Sheinbaum has pledged to continue López Obrador’s key initiatives, including his “hugs, not bullets” strategy of non-confrontation with powerful criminal organizations. This approach, aimed at reducing violence, faces challenges as Mexico grapples with high crime rates. Despite the strategy, the country saw at least 199,300 homicides and 51,700 missing persons from 2018 to 2023.
As Sheinbaum assumes power, she inherits a nation facing economic challenges, including a weakening currency, a growing budget deficit, and tensions with major trading partners over a controversial judicial overhaul. Her role in resolving key issues of importance to the US, such as immigration, foreign affairs, and the future of the trade agreement, will be crucial.
The US delegation attending the inauguration, led by Jill Biden, includes Hispanic cabinet members Secretary Xavier Becerra and Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, along with Ambassador Ken Salazar, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán, White House Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo, and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero.
