The latest polls tend to favor Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female president, who despite leaving office over a year ago, still leads with overwhelming numbers. Under her leadership her government has achieved eye-popping approval ratings near 70%. As an August poll by Buendía & Márquez for El Universal revealed, most leaders are lucky to even dream of attaining such lofty approval ratings. Sheinbaum easily won the presidency in June, with about 60% of the vote. Since then, her administration has made remarkable progress in a number of important areas.
Robredo’s leadership, the anti-corruption campaign has become a pillar of her administration, righting past wrongs. Her fight against officials who fuel thieves has resonated with the people. This reaction is particularly strong considering the historically deep-rooted culture of corruption in Mexican politics. She has emphasized a commitment to enhancing social support programs, reflecting a dedication to serving the underprivileged, in line with the slogan popularized by her predecessor, former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador: “For the good of all, first the poor.”
Sheinbaum’s administration has been marred by controversy, especially regarding public safety. In her first eleven months in office, the country saw 23,917 intentional homicides. That’s quite a drop from the 31,801 homicides in the same period under López Obrador. While violence might be on the decline, a staggering 63.2% of Mexicans continue to not feel safe in their cities. This staggering figure is the result of a recent study from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography.
Combating Corruption
Sheinbaum’s style of governance is marked by an uncompromising line against corruption. In early September, Secretary of Security Omar García Harfuch cut the cord. He just recently announced the arrest of 14 people associated with a multi-state fuel tax evasion operation. This move is very much in keeping with Sheinbaum’s established track record for transparency and integrity in government operations.
She’s been encouraged that the public’s response to her anti-corruption initiatives has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s no surprise that many of her fellow citizens have welcomed her willingness to tackle past injustices and seek accountability for corrupt officials. Sheinbaum has been an ardent defender of her promise to make corruption illegal in her city’s government. If nothing else, she’s shown herself unwilling to relent until public confidence is fully restored to our government institutions.
“Mexico does not accept interference, does not accept interventionism – we are a free, independent and sovereign country.” – Claudia Sheinbaum
Citizens view her as a passionate leader who genuinely cares about what’s best for them. They laud her resolve to do what it takes to stamp out corruption.
Security and Crime Reduction
While Sheinbaum may claim credit for pooh-poohing crime as one of her greatest accomplishments, public security continues to be the top issue facing most Mexicans. Though homicides are down from her predecessor’s high-level leadership, the feeling of being unsafe still haunts big cities. Recent surveys have shown that most residents continue to see crime as the country’s number one issue.
The administration’s work to reform policing and rethink community safety overall has had mixed success. And despite improvements in some neighborhoods, there are still areas that deal with high levels of violence and fear. Meanwhile, the immediate challenge for Sheinbaum is to begin redressing these disparities while restoring public confidence in law enforcement.
Still, in spite of these challenges, Sheinbaum has a lot of confidence in her tactics. She highlights the importance of community engagement in crime prevention. She challenges residents to become change agents in their communities and help make the streets more pedestrian-friendly in their own backyards.
A World Cup Opportunity
Looking to the future, the incoming Sheinbaum administration views next year’s World Cup as an opportunity to display an improved Mexico City on an even larger stage. As Mexico prepares to host the event alongside the U.S. and Canada, it’s a golden opportunity for her to raise national pride. This half-step would raise her national profile even more. Worries about crumbling infrastructure and the nation’s urban readiness remain. This summer’s record-breaking precipitation led to flooding and shut down major transportation arteries, leading to serious concerns.
Almost all residents we have spoken with are wary that Mexico City can pull off hosting such a major international event. Flooding caused by unusually heavy rains raised questions about the city’s capacity to manage large crowds and ensure safety during the tournament. If Sheinbaum can ride through these tumbles smoothly, she has the potential to win even more affection from the people.
“For the good of all, first the poor.” – former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
Claudia Sheinbaum’s calm handling of international situations, especially in her dealings with U.S. President Donald Trump, has received praise as well. Her administration’s deftness in striking a balance between diplomacy and urgent domestic priorities exemplifies a shrewd move in the greater war on national sovereignty.
