Claudia Sheinbaum takes the oath as Mexico’s first female president and promises a new dawn

MEXICO CITY, Mexico – On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Claudia Sheinbaum made history when she was sworn in as Mexico’s first female president, marking a turning point in the country’s more than 200 years of modern political history.

The former mayor of Mexico City broke the last barrier in Mexican politics and celebrated with raucous chants of “President!” inside and outside the conference room.

Sheinbaum, who has long been a close ally of outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, began her inaugural address by thanking her political mentor, calling him “the most important political leader and social fighter in Mexico’s modern history.”

López Obrador, who leaves office with record-high popularity, leaves behind a political legacy that Sheinbaum vowed to uphold.

“It’s time for women,” she declared to a standing ovation from lawmakers who backed her ruling party.

“Women have arrived to shape the destiny of our beautiful nation.”

Sheinbaum is no stranger to breaking barriers, having previously been the first woman to become mayor of Mexico City, a stepping stone that has now launched her to the presidency.

Drawing heavily from her predecessor’s successes, Sheinbaum highlighted the achievements of López Obrador’s administration, urging the public to reflect on the tangible improvements.

“How were 9.5 million Mexicans lifted out of poverty?” she asked.

“How has unemployment been reduced? Created more well-being? The minimum wage has risen repeatedly, but not inflation?”

She attributed these achievements to what she called “Mexican humanism,” the guiding principle of López Obrador’s political project, which she has championed for two decades.

But while Sheinbaum painted a picture of economic success, critics are likely to dispute this optimistic picture.

Nevertheless, she set an ambitious agenda, promising to transform the country’s health and education systems.

She pledged to “consolidate health care into a free public health care system of the highest quality” and create 300,000 additional places in higher education through new public high schools and universities.

“Health and education are rights of the Mexican people, not privileges or commodities,” she asserted.

However, major challenges await Mexico’s new president. The country remains embroiled in a violent drug war, especially in the states of Sinaloa and Chiapas, where cartel violence has increased.

The ongoing conflict, fueled by internal divisions within the Sinaloa cartel, has led to deadly gun battles, especially in cities such as Culiacán.

Critics argue that Sheinbaum’s experiences in securing Mexico City cannot be easily replicated on a national scale, especially if she continues López Obrador’s policy of avoiding direct confrontation with cartels.

Despite these challenges, Sheinbaum seems ready to forge her own path while recognizing the influence of her mentor, whom she called her “brother, friend, compañero.”

López Obrador has stated that he plans to retire to his farm in Chiapas, although some political analysts doubt he will withdraw from the political arena completely.

Sheinbaum’s historic rise from student activist and climate scientist to president is a testament to her political acumen and determination.

“I am a mother, grandmother, scientist, a woman of faith, and now president!” she proclaimed in her closing remarks.

The pressure on Sheinbaum to succeed on her own is immense, but her supporters, many of whom see her as a continuation of López Obrador’s legacy, are likely to give her the time she needs to prove herself.

“I will not abandon you,” she assured the nation, pledging to rule with “knowledge, strength, my past and my entire life” to defend Mexico.

Her presidency heralds a new era for Mexico, one that will be closely watched both at home and abroad as she tackles the twin challenges of fulfilling her campaign promises and addressing the ongoing security crisis.

As Mexico’s first female president, Sheinbaum has already made history. Now she begins the difficult task of governing a very complex and divided nation.