Claudia Sheinbaum is Mexico’s newly elected president and the first woman to win the job. The former mayor of Mexico City is on track to win the race with nearly 59% of the vote, a milestone in a country filled with gender-based violence and misogyny.
Prior to Sheinbaum’s win, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico posted a general warning about demonstrations that would be taking place before, during and after the elections. In the warning, they advised that in the past, some demonstrations have turned violent and offered three actions to take.
First was to avoid areas around protests and demonstrations, second was to monitor media for updates and third was to follow all instructions of local authorities.
As Mexican law prohibits foreign citizens from engaging in political activities, the warning highlights that anyone participating in political demonstrations could be detained or deported.
Due to Sheinbaum’s polarizing connection to her political mentor, outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and the fact that she is the first female to rise to this role, a strong military and police presence is expected during the electoral period
Marking an advancement of the power of women in Mexico, Sheinbaum is hoping that her election will mark a change in a country with one of the highest rates of murder against women in the world.
And whilst this does mark a historic moment in Mexican history, some voters see her win more as a referendum of López Obrado, one of the most popular and divisive figures in Mexican history.
Known by his initials AMLO, López Obrado yes has helped millions rise out of poverty but has been criticized for empowering the military and undermining democratic institutions.
Sheinbaum has stated that she wants to continue AMLO’s policies which included cash payments to low-income residents and a universal pension benefit for seniors.