Monterrey, Mexico - On October 2, 2024, Claudia Sheinbaum was sworn in as Mexico's first female president following a landslide victory in the presidential election, receiving approximately 60 percent of the vote. Sheinbaum aims to build on the legacy of her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, focusing on reducing poverty and inequality while navigating significant challenges such as organized crime and constitutional reforms.
Before her presidency, Sheinbaum served as the mayor of Mexico City and was an environmental scientist with ties to the Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Her administration is expected to uphold the policies of Lopez Obrador, known for his 'Cuarta Transformacion' (Fourth Transformation), which sought to end corruption and expand social programs.
While Sheinbaum has vowed to safeguard foreign investment, she also faces the task of addressing the growing issues of extreme poverty and lack of access to health services, which have worsened under the previous administration. Critics are concerned about her commitment to uphold democratic norms, especially following controversial constitutional amendments that could increase presidential power.
International human rights organizations have raised alarms over reforms that introduce 'faceless judges' and give military control over the national guard. Protests have erupted in response to these changes, highlighting the tension between governance and civil liberties.
As Sheinbaum embarks on her presidency, her approach is seen as a hybrid of continuity and change, particularly in addressing gender inequalities and promoting a 'National Care System' to support women’s development. The global community is watching closely to see how her administration will navigate these complex challenges.
Source: Al Jazeera, Bloomberg