Claudia Sheinbaum officially became Mexico’s first female president and the first of Jewish heritage during a significant inauguration ceremony on Tuesday afternoon at the Legislative Palace of San Lázaro in Mexico City.
During the event, attendees eagerly gathered around Sheinbaum, capturing selfies and offering greetings as she made her way to outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Ifigenia Martínez, president of Mexico’s Chamber of Congress. In a gesture symbolizing the transfer of power, Martínez presented Sheinbaum with a presidential sash featuring the colors of the Mexican flag.
Following her oath, Sheinbaum addressed over 100 prominent guests, including U.S. First Lady Jill Biden and various presidents from Africa and Latin America. She emphasized the historic nature of her presidency, stating, “For the first time, we women have come to lead the destiny of our beautiful nation.” She outlined her presidential priorities, which focus on ensuring human rights and freedoms, promoting peaceful foreign relations, and building on her predecessor’s social initiatives.
Later, Sheinbaum visited the National Palace in Mexico City’s Zócalo, where thousands of constituents gathered to watch her inauguration on large screens in the main square.
Sheinbaum, who previously served as mayor of Mexico City and is a climate scientist, made history three months prior when she won the election against Xóchitl Gálvez and Jorge Álvarez Máynez with a significant margin. As a member of the governing Morena party—which has been predominant in Mexican politics since López Obrador’s election in 2018—Sheinbaum is expected to continue his policies. López Obrador leaves office with an approximate 80% approval rating, largely due to his welfare programs aimed at reducing poverty and tackling corruption.
Sheinbaum has committed to upholding key challenges laid out by López Obrador, including addressing ongoing violence in Mexico through his “hugs, not bullets” approach, which refrains from direct confrontation with criminal organizations. However, during López Obrador’s tenure, crime rates remained high, with over 199,300 homicides recorded, indicating complex issues that persist despite the administration’s strategies.
As she assumes the presidency, Sheinbaum will need to build upon her predecessor’s popularity while establishing her own identity in office. She will also tackle pressing issues such as a declining currency, a growing budget deficit, and strained relations with major trading partners, particularly regarding a recently proposed judicial reform that would allow voters to elect judges.
Additionally, Sheinbaum’s role will be crucial in addressing U.S. priorities concerning immigration and foreign affairs as well as shaping the future of a significant trade agreement that positions Mexico as the U.S.’s largest trade partner.
The inauguration was attended by notable U.S. Cabinet members of Mexican descent, including Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Small Business Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, alongside others from the U.S. presidential delegation.