Claudia Sheinbaum was inaugurated as President of Mexico, becoming the first woman to hold the highest office in the world’s largest Spanish-speaking country. This historic moment marks a turning point for Mexico, a nation of 129 million people facing major challenges, including drug cartel violence and mass disappearances. The inauguration ceremony, held on Tuesday, launched a six-year term for the former mayor of Mexico City.
In her inaugural speech, Sheinbaum, a trained physicist, declared: “I am a mother, grandmother, scientist, and a woman of faith, and from today, by the will of the Mexican people, president.” She paid tribute to Mexican women by adding, “I am not coming alone, we are all arriving together.” This strong message resonates in a country where women have long been underrepresented at the highest levels of power. Aged 62, she becomes the first woman elected to lead Mexico, having won nearly 60% of the vote in June under the banner of the ruling National Regeneration Movement (Morena) and its allies.
A platform based on continuity and security reforms
Sheinbaum enters the presidency with strong legitimacy: she garnered nearly 36 million votes, making her the most popularly elected president in Mexico’s history. Her platform is largely inspired by that of her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, with whom she has been closely aligned throughout her political career. The slogans “The Poor First” and “Republican Austerity” remain central to her commitments. In her inauguration speech, Sheinbaum outlined her program in ten principles, echoing the broad strokes of Lopez Obrador’s social and economic policies.
One of the most pressing issues for the new president is the fight against drug cartel violence, a scourge that has claimed over 400,000 lives and resulted in nearly 100,000 disappearances since 2006, the year the army was mobilized to combat the cartels. Claudia Sheinbaum reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening security by focusing on intelligence gathering, thorough investigations, and better coordination between local and federal authorities. She also promised to bolster the National Guard, a security force created by her predecessor, which will now fall under the control of the Defense Ministry.
However, this measure has raised concerns. The United Nations Human Rights Office has expressed worry over the increasing role of the military in public security, urging authorities to intensify efforts to address the issue of disappearances in Mexico. Security reform and the fight against violence will be crucial tests for Sheinbaum in a country where security remains a sensitive issue.
Economic challenges and diplomacy with the United States
On the economic front, the new president emphasized the security of foreign investments. “Rest assured that the investments of national and foreign shareholders will be safe in our country,” she stated, responding to concerns sparked by a controversial judicial reform, which includes the election of judges by popular vote starting in 2025. This unique reform has drawn mixed reactions, particularly in the United States, Mexico’s main trading partner, which is concerned about the potential impact on the legal security of their private investments.
U.S. President Joe Biden, however, emphasized the close ties between the two countries: “Mexico and the United States share deep political, economic, and cultural bonds.” He reiterated the U.S.’ commitment to continuing cooperation with Mexico, congratulating Sheinbaum on her inauguration.
The new president begins her term with important international relationships to maintain, especially with her Latin American neighbors. Among the distinguished guests at the inauguration ceremony were Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, and Chilean President Gabriel Boric. After her speech before Congress, Claudia Sheinbaum shared a lunch with her counterparts at the National Palace, the seat of the presidency.
Indigenous ceremony and commitment to marginalized communities
After these diplomatic exchanges, Claudia Sheinbaum participated in a symbolic ceremony at the Zócalo, Mexico City’s central square, where she received the “staff of power” from Indigenous peoples. This ceremony, rich in symbolism and traditions, gathered tens of thousands of people. “Little sister Claudia, we welcome you with love and joy. You are the voice of those who have long been voiceless,” said a representative of the Indigenous peoples amid chants and traditional rituals.
Sheinbaum also used this occasion to present an ambitious 100-point program addressing issues such as security, the economy, and relations with the United States. After the festivities, she will quickly turn to urgent matters, starting with a visit to Acapulco to assess the damage caused by Hurricane John, which left 15 people dead in the country.