By Emiliano Rodríguez Mega
Claudia Sheinbaum will assume her role on Tuesday, making her the first woman and Jewish individual to govern Mexico in over two centuries as an independent nation.
A former climate scientist and the ex-mayor of Mexico City, Sheinbaum secured a sweeping victory in the general elections held in June and is taking over from her mentor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, as the president of the largest Spanish-speaking nation in the world and the United States’ leading trade partner.
As a leftist, Sheinbaum campaigned with the promise of continuing her predecessor’s legacy, and her election was seen by many as a strong endorsement of López Obrador and the political party he founded, Morena.
In Mexico, a nation entrenched in machismo where 70% of women have faced some form of violence, Sheinbaum’s inauguration signifies a pivotal moment and symbolizes women’s empowerment for many.
However, she steps into office facing a nation with the most significant budget deficit in decades, an escalating security crisis, and a governing party that has increasingly sought to fundamentally transform the justice system and other facets of public life via constitutional amendments proposed by López Obrador.
Here’s what you need to know about Mexico’s new president.
Who is Claudia Sheinbaum?
Sheinbaum has an impressive list of accomplishments: she holds a doctorate in energy engineering, engaged in a United Nations panel of climate scientists that received a Nobel Peace Prize, and managed the capital, one of the hemisphere’s largest urban areas.
At 62, Sheinbaum describes herself as “obsessive” and “disciplined.” Her team portrays her as a strict leader with a quick temper, inspiring both fear and admiration — someone who prefers to quietly achieve results rather than promote herself or her accomplishments.
For many, she comes across as a no-frills, somewhat detached politician — contrasting sharply with López Obrador, who built and shaped Morena around his larger-than-life persona and undeniable charisma.
As a descendant of Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews who immigrated to Mexico in the 20th century, Sheinbaum also becomes the country’s first Jewish president — a significant moment for some and a minor detail for others, as she rarely discusses her background.
Observers suggest that Sheinbaum’s administration will aim to integrate her technocratic and pragmatic governance style with López Obrador’s populist language. At times, she diverged from his policies. During the pandemic, she advocated for aggressive testing while he relied on good fortune; in combating crime, she focused on intelligence and police funding while he leaned on the military.
Nevertheless, during her campaign, she backed many of López Obrador’s most controversial policies, including a series of constitutional changes that critics argue would significantly weaken democratic safeguards. Consequently, the new president has had to contend with the perception among some Mexicans that she may merely serve as a puppet for her mentor.
What challenges will she face?
Sheinbaum will be under pressure to demonstrate progress in addressing the growing power of drug cartels, which maintain control over vast areas of Mexico. Although homicide rates saw a slight decrease during López Obrador’s tenure, instances of extortion and disappearances have soared since 2018. Murder rates, including numerous mass killings, remain among the highest ever recorded. Previously peaceful regions, such as Chiapas in the south, have experienced significant displacement due to organized crime infiltrations.
Recently, violence between rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel has led to increased fatalities and kidnappings in northwest Mexico, bringing life to a standstill in cities like Culiacán.
Sheinbaum will have limited financial leeway to deliver on her campaign promises. Mexico’s budget deficit is approaching 6% of GDP, the most substantial gap in 24 years. Pemex, the state-run oil giant, is currently the world’s most indebted oil corporation, requiring multi-billion-dollar rescues.
What are her plans?
In addition to continuing López Obrador’s infrastructure initiatives and maintaining his popular anti-poverty programs, including annual minimum wage increases, Sheinbaum has her own agenda upon taking office.
She has declared that women aged 60 to 64 will receive cash payments; presently, old-age pensions are available only starting at age 65. She has announced that most children will qualify for a stay-in-school scholarship, expanding an existing social initiative. Moreover, she stated that starting next year, 20,000 doctors and nurses will visit the homes of elderly Mexicans — an attempt to restore the significant decline in public healthcare access seen in recent years.
In contrast to her predecessor, Sheinbaum aims to enhance renewable energy infrastructure and promote green technology. Concurrently, she has promised to rescue Mexico’s heavily indebted oil enterprise and back a costly $16 billion oil refinery that is still far from completion.
What will her relationship with the U.S. be like?
A real test for Sheinbaum’s leadership could emerge later this year when the results of the U.S. presidential election are determined.
If Vice President Kamala Harris wins, it would likely signify a continuation of the Biden administration’s relationship with Mexico, characterized by a tense yet sustained collaboration to enhance border enforcement, combat drug trafficking, and curb the flow of U.S. firearms contributing to violence south of the border. Some U.S. officials have privately stated they believe security coordination could improve under Sheinbaum.
Conversely, if former President Donald Trump secures a second term, it might escalate tensions between the neighboring nations. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs if he regains office and has suggested using U.S. military force against drug cartels on Mexican territory without Mexico’s government consent.
These plans pose a risk to the United States’ relationship with the Sheinbaum administration and could hinder other cooperative efforts. Still, Sheinbaum and members of her administration have expressed to The New York Times that they are willing to work with whichever candidate wins the U.S. election.
