Claudia Sheinbaum will be inaugurated as Mexico’s first female president on Tuesday, four months after her resounding election victory. As the former mayor of Mexico City and a prominent figure in the ruling party, Sheinbaum takes charge of a nation facing intense criminal violence and ongoing gender inequality.
The 62-year-old leader will be sworn in before an audience that includes foreign dignitaries such as Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and US First Lady Jill Biden. Despite this historic moment, experts like Maria Fernanda Bozmoski from the Atlantic Council caution that having a woman in power does not guarantee prioritization of women’s rights, as Sheinbaum must also address pressing issues like security and foreign policy.
The new president will inherit the “hugs not bullets” crime strategy from her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, but is expected to implement a more intelligence-driven approach to tackle the escalating violence. With over 450,000 murders since 2006, much of it linked to drug cartels, her administration faces significant challenges.
Another issue looming over Sheinbaum’s presidency is the controversial judicial reforms introduced by Lopez Obrador, which allow for the election of all judges by popular vote. While intended to clean up a “rotten” judiciary, the reforms have sparked concern among foreign investors and Mexico’s key trade partners.
Despite these challenges, Sheinbaum is expected to maintain strong relations with the US, especially if Kamala Harris becomes the next US president. She is seen as a pragmatic leader who may adopt a less confrontational approach than her predecessor.