Claudia Sheinbaum Becomes First Woman To Be Elected President Of Mexico

In a historic election on Sunday, June 2, 2024, Claudia Sheinbaum was elected President of Mexico.

She is the first woman in the history of the South American nation to achieve this feat.

According to the country’s electoral authority, preliminary results showed that Sheinbaum won between 58% and 60% of the votes cast in the election.

With the data from Mexico’s electoral authority, the 61-year-old, who stepped down as the Mayor of Mexico City to run for the presidency, had about a 30% lead over her main opponent, Xóchitl Gálvez, who is also a woman.

Ms. Sheinbaum is now set to replace her mentor and outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on October 1, 2024.

The Mexican President-elect has vowed to continue with advances made by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and further improve on welfare initiatives that drew popularity to her predecessor.

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During her victory speech, she described the election as distinct from previous ones in the country’s history.

“For the first time in the 200 years of the Mexican Republic, I will become the first woman president of Mexico,” an excited Sheinbaum said.

“I’ve said it from the start; this is not just about me getting to the top office; it’s about all of us getting here.”

Ms. Sheinbaum, who thanked her opposition, Xóchitl Gálvez, also vowed to supporters that she “won’t fail you.”

Her victory is a significant step in the right direction for Mexican democracy, which was hitherto not concerned about the plight of women.