Claudia Sheinbaum, also known as “la Doctora,” has a remarkable background. With impressive academic credentials in physics and a doctorate in energy engineering, she has served as the mayor of a densely populated city and was a member of the United Nations panel of climate scientists that received a Nobel Peace Prize.
In a historic moment for Mexico, Sheinbaum has now become the first woman and the first Jewish person to be elected as the country’s president. This achievement is significant in a predominantly Catholic nation with a deeply patriarchal culture.
In the largest election in Mexico’s history, Sheinbaum secured approximately 60% of the vote. Her victory is a testament to her popularity and represents a milestone for gender and religious diversity in Mexican politics.
At 61 years old, Sheinbaum will succeed President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a longtime ally. Under his leadership, social welfare programs have helped lift many Mexicans out of poverty, which has made their leftist Morena party a favorite among voters.
Overall, Sheinbaum’s election as president marks a significant step forward for Mexico, showcasing the country’s progress towards inclusivity and diversity in its highest leadership positions.
“Our commitment is and always will be to care for every single Mexican, regardless of their background,” Sheinbaum stated in an early morning speech on Monday. “Although not all Mexicans may fully agree with our vision, we must strive for peaceful and harmonious coexistence in order to continue building a fair and prosperous Mexico.”
Born in Mexico City in 1962, Sheinbaum’s maternal grandparents fled Europe to escape the Holocaust. Over the years, she has served her city in various capacities.
During her undergraduate years at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Sheinbaum actively engaged in student politics, protesting against the privatization of public education. Following her graduation, she pursued energy engineering studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where she became proficient in English and obtained a Master’s degree. She later returned to UNAM to pursue her doctoral studies.
In 2000, Sheinbaum began her political career as the environment secretary of Mexico City, appointed by Obrador, who was the city’s government leader at the time.
After leaving this role in 2006, Sheinbaum focused on studying energy and joined the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). She was part of the team that received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
In 2015, Sheinbaum made history as the first woman elected head of the Tlalpan district in Mexico City, serving until 2017. The following year, she became the first woman to be elected as the head of the entire city’s government. She held this position until June 2023 when she decided to run for president.
Sheinbaum is a mother of two and a grandmother. Her partner, Jesús María Tarriba, is a financial risk specialist at the Bank of Mexico, and they met while studying physics at university.
Looking forward, Sheinbaum will face various challenges as she embarks on her presidential run.
If the constitution had permitted it, Mexico might have seen the re-election of AMLO, the popular politician also known as Obrador. However, concerns have arisen about Sheinbaum’s ability to distance herself from her longtime ally after riding on the wave of AMLO’s popularity.
According to journalist Jorge Zepeda, who has written a biography on Sheinbaum, it is likely that she will gradually unveil her own political agenda once in office. Zepeda suggests that she will initially act as a devoted follower of AMLO before offering glimpses of her own program, all while being cautious not to destabilize the movement’s support base.
However, Zepeda also points out significant differences between the two leaders. In an article for El Pais, he recalls asking Sheinbaum what sets her apart from other politicians, to which she responded that she is someone who makes decisions based on data.
On the other hand, Zepeda argued that Obrador may prioritize party loyalty over data, choosing to ignore inconvenient facts and select alternative information. In contrast, Sheinbaum relies on scientific guidance in her decision-making.
Obrador, despite enjoying widespread support and making significant strides in reducing poverty, faced criticism for his approach to combating cartels. His “hugs, not bullets” policy, which avoided direct confrontation with criminal organizations, resulted in a surge of violence during his tenure.
Violence has played a prominent role in this election, which has been the bloodiest in Mexico’s history. Criminal groups have targeted and killed numerous political candidates and applicants in an attempt to exert influence over the incoming administration.
Mexico’s homicide rate remains one of the highest globally, and the country still has over 100,000 missing persons. Additionally, it remains a perilous place for women, with alarmingly high rates of femicide. Statistics indicate that approximately 10 women are murdered each day.
According to Will Freeman, a fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, Sheinbaum will need to address Mexico’s organized crime and security issues promptly. Freeman noted that it is surprising that the governing party won re-election by a large margin despite the widespread violence, as the opposition failed to present a more credible set of proposals. While Sheinbaum has a team with a successful track record in improving security during her time as Mexico City mayor, it remains to be seen if she can replicate that success at a national level. Additionally, both Mexico and the US will be holding elections in 2024, which only occurs once every 12 years and coincides with a transitional period in the relationship between the two countries.
Sheinbaum will assume office just a month before the November elections in the US, where immigration is a top concern for Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
Mexico is an important ally for the US on various issues, including trade, drug trafficking, and migration management. The relationship between President Joe Biden and Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has been described as friendly and professional by current and former US officials. They anticipate a productive relationship with Mexico’s next president.
However, Mexico’s election comes at a crucial time for the Biden administration. The US has been relying heavily on Mexico to enhance immigration enforcement and help reduce migration to the US southern border. The election in Mexico has created uncertainty among some Biden officials about potential changes in border cooperation with this key partner.
One factor taken into account when implementing a new executive action on border control was the timing, as it was decided to wait until after Mexico’s election. The US administration would require Mexico’s support and cooperation to successfully carry out the order.
While it is anticipated that a new Mexican administration would maintain their cooperation with the US on migration due to their previous partnership, the strategies of migrants, particularly smugglers, during a period of government transition remains uncertain.