Claudia Sheinbaum Sworn In as Mexico’s First Female President \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Claudia Sheinbaum has been sworn in as Mexico’s first female president, continuing her predecessor’s popular social programs. She inherits numerous challenges, including persistent violence, economic struggles, and rising debt. Despite promising continuity, Sheinbaum’s approach contrasts with her charismatic predecessor, focusing on effectiveness amidst tough circumstances.
Sheinbaum’s Presidency Quick Looks:
- Historic Inauguration: Claudia Sheinbaum becomes Mexico’s first female president, a historic moment for the country.
- Immediate Challenges: Facing high violence, a struggling economy, and recovery efforts in hurricane-hit Acapulco.
- Economic Pledges and Continuity: Promises include limiting fuel prices and expanding social programs, continuing López Obrador’s policies.
- Cartel-Related Violence: Drug cartel control remains a major issue, with her strategy mirroring the “Hugs not Bullets” approach.
- Potential Strains with the U.S.: Concerns loom over Donald Trump’s potential return and its impact on Mexico-U.S. relations.
Deep Look:
Claudia Sheinbaum was sworn in on Tuesday as Mexico’s first female president, marking a groundbreaking moment for the country. She takes office buoyed by the popularity of her predecessor’s social initiatives but facing significant challenges that threaten to hinder progress, including persistent violence, economic sluggishness, and the aftermath of natural disasters.
With a beaming smile, Sheinbaum took the oath of office in Congress, where for the first time in over two centuries of Mexico’s independent history, legislators chanted “Presidenta! Presidenta!”—emphasizing the feminine form of the word in Spanish to celebrate the historic occasion. At 62, the scientist-turned-politician takes on the presidency at a moment when Mexico faces a plethora of pressing issues.
Sheinbaum inherits a country grappling with stubbornly high levels of violence, a struggling economy, unfinished infrastructure projects, rising national debt, and the devastation left behind by hurricanes in cities like Acapulco. “Now is the time of transformation, now is the time of women,” she declared, signaling her vision for a transformative and inclusive presidency.
During her inaugural address, Sheinbaum promised to implement a wide array of policies, from limiting fuel and food prices to expanding cash-assistance programs for women and children. She also pledged to support business investment and housing construction, and to advance passenger rail projects. Notably, the issue of drug cartels, who exert significant control over much of the country, was only mentioned briefly towards the end of her speech. Her stance remains largely aligned with her predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s ‘Hugs not Bullets’ approach, which avoids direct confrontation with cartels. She emphasized that “there will be no return to the irresponsible drug war,” instead focusing on enhancing intelligence and investigative efforts.
Sheinbaum’s rise to the presidency came after a resounding victory in June, where she captured nearly 60% of the vote—an achievement largely fueled by the sustained popularity of López Obrador, her political mentor. She has committed to continuing his policies, including those that have increased military power while weakening institutional checks and balances. López Obrador, who took office six years ago, was known for declaring, “For the good of all, first the poor,” and his presidency was marked by his attempts to overturn the neoliberal economic policies of his predecessors. Sheinbaum has vowed to carry forward these efforts, from popular social programs to contentious reforms to the judiciary and the National Guard that were rushed through during López Obrador’s final days in office.
Despite her pledge for continuity, Sheinbaum’s leadership style differs significantly from López Obrador’s. While López Obrador relied heavily on his charisma and rapport with the public, Sheinbaum is known as a cautious scientist and an ideological university leftist. Political analyst Carlos Pérez Ricart, from Mexico’s Center for Economic Research and Teaching, noted that López Obrador’s charisma often allowed him to cover political mistakes—a luxury Sheinbaum may not have. “Where López Obrador was charismatic, Claudia Sheinbaum will have to be effective,” Ricart explained, highlighting the heightened expectations for her leadership skills.
Sheinbaum, however, steps into office with considerable political power, as López Obrador’s Morena party maintains control of both houses of Congress. This consolidation of power is a double-edged sword; while it provides her with the opportunity to pass legislation with relative ease, it also raises concerns about the unchecked influence of the ruling party. Opposition Senator María Guadalupe Murguía cautioned that, for a government to be strong, checks and balances must also be robust. She warned that a powerful military and an unchecked ruling party could have lasting consequences for Mexico, reminding her colleagues that “nobody wins everything, and nobody loses forever.”
Sheinbaum also inherits the escalating problem of drug cartel influence across the country. Her first trip as president will take her to the flood-stricken Pacific coast resort city of Acapulco, which has recently been battered by Hurricane John. The storm, which struck initially as a Category 3 hurricane and returned as a tropical storm, brought four days of heavy rain that killed at least 17 people along the coast. Acapulco had yet to fully recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Otis in October 2023 before John dealt another heavy blow.
Besides natural disasters, Sheinbaum must confront surging violence, particularly in cartel-dominated areas like Culiacan in northern Mexico. Recently, Culiacan witnessed fierce infighting within the Sinaloa cartel after the U.S. apprehended drug lords Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, following their flight to the United States on July 25. For years, López Obrador’s strategy involved avoiding direct confrontations with drug cartels and appealing to their leaders to keep the peace, but the situation in Culiacan has highlighted the limitations of this approach. With gun battles raging in the city’s streets, both local authorities and the military—on which López Obrador had relied heavily—have indicated that the violence will only cease once cartel bosses decide to end it.
This violent instability is not confined to Culiacan; drug-related violence is on the rise across Mexico, from Tijuana in the north to Chiapas in the south, displacing thousands of people. Sheinbaum must navigate this fraught landscape while grappling with an expanding budget deficit, numerous unfinished construction projects, and the escalating costs of her party’s social assistance programs—all of which could potentially destabilize financial markets.
In addition to domestic challenges, Sheinbaum faces potential difficulties in Mexico’s international relations, particularly if Donald Trump wins the U.S. presidential election on November 5. Trump has vowed to impose 100% tariffs on vehicles made in Mexico—an action that would likely breach the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement but could nonetheless disrupt the Mexican economy. He has also pledged massive deportations, which could place further pressure on Mexico’s social services. Relations with the United States have already been strained since López Obrador put interactions with the U.S. embassy “on pause” following criticism of his proposed judicial overhaul.
Despite these tensions, there are also positive signals for the future of Mexico-U.S. relations. At a reception on Monday, First Lady Jill Biden expressed optimism about the incoming administration, saying, “Under Dr. Sheinbaum’s presidency, I know we will continue to build a more prosperous, safe, and democratic region—and take steps in our U.S.-Mexico partnership.” This statement suggests a willingness to work towards stronger bilateral relations under Sheinbaum’s leadership.
Sheinbaum also has the opportunity to chart a new path for Mexico in areas like environmental policy. With a Ph.D. in energy engineering, she has previously emphasized the importance of tackling climate change. Her predecessor, López Obrador, focused heavily on fossil fuels, including constructing a new oil refinery and increasing investment in the state-owned oil company. However, the existing budget constraints may limit Sheinbaum’s ability to shift significantly towards greener energy policies.
The symbolism of Sheinbaum’s presidency is undeniable—she represents a historic breakthrough for gender equality in Mexico. Jennifer Piscopo, a professor of gender and politics at Royal Holloway University of London, highlighted that electing the country’s first female leader is important not only as a milestone for gender representation but also as an inspiration for future generations. “Woman firsts are powerful symbols, but they do not gain magic power,” Piscopo noted. She cautioned that while Sheinbaum’s presidency could serve as a beacon of hope, the challenges she faces are substantial, and expecting swift, transformative changes could lead to unrealistic expectations and potential disillusionment.
Sheinbaum’s presidency begins at a crossroads for Mexico. She faces the task of continuing her predecessor’s popular programs while dealing with ongoing violence, economic uncertainties, and international tensions. As the country’s first female president, she embodies both the promise of progress and the weight of high expectations. Her leadership will be critical in determining whether Mexico can overcome its challenges and move towards a more stable and prosperous future.
Claudia Sheinbaum Sworn Claudia Sheinbaum Sworn
