The transfer of the presidential sash, a significant event every six years in Mexico, marked a historic milestone on Tuesday as Claudia Sheinbaum became the first woman to assume the country’s highest office.
This moment, celebrated with great fanfare inside and outside the congressional chamber, broke new ground in over 200 years of modern Mexican history.
To resounding chants of “Presidenta!” Sheinbaum raised her fist in victory, savoring the achievement.
In her inaugural address, she expressed gratitude to her political mentor and predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, referring to him as “the most important political leader and social warrior in Mexico’s modern history.”
She acknowledged the deep affection the Mexican people hold for López Obrador, noting that he leaves office with “the greatest love of his people” and the highest approval ratings in the nation’s history.
Despite the daunting task of succeeding such a popular leader, Sheinbaum was confident, declaring, “It is time for women.”
With the backing of lawmakers from the governing party, she emphasized that “women have arrived to shape the destiny of our beautiful nation.”
Sheinbaum’s speech closely mirrored the vision set by López Obrador. She urged the public to assess the achievements of the past six years through “cold hard facts,” posing questions such as, “How were 9.5 million Mexicans pulled from poverty?” and “How was unemployment reduced? Greater well-being created?”
Her conclusion: all of this was achieved through “Mexican humanism,” the political philosophy she and López Obrador have championed for nearly two decades.
Although her critics may challenge her optimistic portrayal of the Mexican economy, Sheinbaum vowed to further strengthen the public health system, pledging to “consolidate the health service into the highest quality free public healthcare system.”
She also promised to create 300,000 new places in higher education, stating, “Health and education are rights of the Mexican people, not privileges nor merchandise.”
However, Sheinbaum faces significant hurdles ahead, particularly the ongoing drug war that continues to ravage states like Sinaloa and Chiapas.
The escalating violence from the Sinaloa Cartel’s internal conflict presents a formidable challenge, and critics argue that her experiences improving security in Mexico City may not easily translate to the national stage.
They warn that if she continues López Obrador’s approach of not confronting the cartels directly, the problem may persist.
Although López Obrador insists he will retire to his ranch in Chiapas, Sheinbaum’s detractors suggest his influence might not fade so easily.
Nevertheless, she acknowledged the strong bond they share, calling him her “brother, friend, compañero,” while committing to carve her own path as president.
Reflecting on her remarkable journey from student activist and climate scientist to Mexico’s leader, Sheinbaum declared, “I’m a mother, grandmother, scientist, a woman of faith, and now, president!”
In her closing remarks, she vowed to govern for all Mexicans, dedicating her “knowledge, strength, my past and my very life” to defending the country.
While the pressure to succeed will be immense, millions of Mexicans who supported her are likely to give her the time and trust to prove herself. She concluded with a promise: “I won’t let you down.”
Source-BBC
