In a historic moment for Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum was elected as the country’s first female president, winning by a substantial margin on Sunday, according to preliminary official results. The victory marks a significant milestone in a nation grappling with widespread criminal and gender-based violence.
Thousands of jubilant supporters flooded Mexico City’s main square, waving flags and dancing to mariachi music in celebration of Sheinbaum’s triumph.
The 61-year-old scientist and former mayor of Mexico City secured approximately 58-60% of the votes, as announced by the National Electoral Institute after a quick count. This put her more than 30 percentage points ahead of her main rival, Xochitl Galvez, and about 50 percentage points ahead of centrist candidate Jorge Alvarez Maynez.
Despite sporadic violence in regions dominated by drug cartels, millions of voters participated in the election. Security was heightened with thousands of troops deployed to safeguard the voting process after a particularly violent campaign season that saw over two dozen local political hopefuls murdered.
Sheinbaum described the election day as “historic.” After casting her vote, she shared that she voted for Ifigenia Martinez, a 93-year-old veteran leftist, in a gesture of respect for her contributions.
“Long live democracy!” Sheinbaum declared.
Galvez, a 61-year-old senator and businesswoman with Indigenous roots, urged her followers to vigilantly monitor the vote count, expressing concerns over potential authoritarian tactics.
Many Mexican women, hopeful for transformative change, saw Sheinbaum’s victory as a pivotal moment. Clemencia Hernandez, a 55-year-old cleaner in Mexico City, highlighted the importance of having a female leader in a country where gender violence is rampant. Daniela Perez, a 30-year-old logistics manager, viewed Sheinbaum’s presidency as historic, emphasizing the need for improvements in women’s rights and efforts to tackle femicides.
Nearly 100 million people were registered to vote in Mexico, which has a population of 129 million. Sheinbaum’s popularity is partly attributed to outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a fellow leftist and her mentor, who enjoys an approval rating above 60%.
The election period was marred by violence. Just hours before polls opened, a local candidate was murdered, adding to the toll of at least 25 political hopefuls killed this season. In Puebla, two people died in attacks on polling stations, and voting was suspended in parts of Chiapas due to violence.
Sheinbaum has vowed to continue Lopez Obrador’s “hugs not bullets” strategy to address crime by tackling its root causes. In contrast, Galvez promised a stricter approach to cartel-related violence, declaring an end to “hugs for criminals.”
The new president will also face the challenge of managing relations with the United States, focusing on issues like cross-border drug smuggling and migration. Additionally, Mexicans voted for members of Congress, several state governors, and numerous local officials, with more than 20,000 positions at stake.
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