Mexico Makes History: Claudia Sheinbaum Elected First Female President
Mexico made history on June 3, 2024, as Claudia Sheinbaum was elected the country's first female and Jewish president. The historic achievement came after a landslide victory in the presidential elections, with Sheinbaum receiving over 60% of the votes.
Born into a family deeply engaged in activism, Sheinbaum began volunteering to assist groups of mothers searching for their missing children at the age of 15. Her academic credentials include a doctorate in energy engineering from UNAM, and she has been part of international climate science panels such as the IPCC.
Sheinbaum's political journey began in 2000 when she was selected by her mentor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), to serve as the leader of his environmental team. She later became the mayor of Mexico City and continued AMLO's strategy of avoiding confrontation with crime groups while relying on the National Guard for security operations.
However, Sheinbaum's presidency will not be without challenges. The day after her historic win, a woman mayor in Cotija was shot and killed on a public road. Yolanda Sánchez Figueroa's murder is being investigated as a possible targeted attack by organized crime groups.
Sheinbaum's administration will also face the challenge of addressing rampant gang violence and disappearances, with over 30,000 unaccounted people reported in Mexico according to INEGI. The country's high crime rate and militarization of public security have raised concerns about its democracy.
The US-Mexico relationship will also be a significant challenge for Sheinbaum. As the new president, she will need to navigate diplomatic relations with the United States while maintaining Mexico's sovereignty.
Despite these challenges, Sheinbaum has promised to govern for all Mexicans and continue AMLO's social welfare programs. Her election marks a historic moment for Mexican women and represents a step towards gender equality in Latin America.