Mexican Leader Sheinbaum’s Approval Rating Dips in Mexico Amid Crime Concerns, Despite Economic Optimism
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has seen a dip in her approval rating some 100 days into her presidency, as public concerns mount regarding crime and corruption, Bloomberg reports, citing a recent poll.
While her economic policies are generally viewed favorably, the persistent challenges of insecurity and violence appear to be taking a toll.
The survey, conducted by AtlasIntel for Bloomberg News, revealed that Sheinbaum’s approval rating fell to 60.3% in December, down from 66.7% when she assumed office in October. Conversely, the disapproval rate increased from 22.5% to 27.6% over the same period.
Sheinbaum inherited the major concerns of corruption and security from her predecessor, former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Her initial weeks in office were marked by violent incidents, including the murder of a priest and car bombings. Despite these challenges, her security team recently reported a significant drop of 18.3% in homicides between 2018 and 2024, while other high-impact crimes like violent robberies have also decreased.
However, public concerns over these issues persist, with a focus on the fight against organized crime. Political scientist Palmira Tapia argues that the perception of insecurity and violence in some parts of the country may be overshadowing positive views of the president’s economic policy.
The poll also highlighted public opinion regarding poverty reduction policies, another key area inherited from Lopez Obrador. A significant 42% of respondents view current policies in this area as “bad,” while only 35% believe they are “good.”
Finance Minister Rogelio Ramirez de la O also faces public scrutiny, with 29% of respondents holding a negative opinion, while only 19% view him positively. A notable 53% of respondents were unsure of their view.
Economic Optimism Remains
Despite these challenges, the survey also shows substantial support for Sheinbaum’s overall economic policies. A majority of respondents, 53%, consider her economic policies to be “good,” while 27% believe they are “bad.”
Furthermore, a large number of Mexicans believe the country is heading in the right direction economically. Approximately 57% of those interviewed expressed optimism about Mexico’s economic situation improving over the next six months, while 26% anticipate a downturn. This represents an increase in optimism compared to the start of Sheinbaum’s term, when 51% had a positive economic outlook.
In a comparison with her predecessor, roughly 57% of respondents believe that Sheinbaum’s economic policy management is better than Lopez Obrador’s, while only 23% think it is worse.
