Claudia Sheinbaum is the newly elected president of Mexico and the first woman to get 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 rife with gender-based violence and misogyny.
Prior to Sheinbaum’s victory, the U.S. embassy and consulates in Mexico posted a general warning about demonstrations that would take place before, during and after the elections. In the warning, they said some demonstrations have turned violent in the past and offered three actions.
Firstly, we had to avoid areas around protests and demonstrations, secondly, we had to check the media for updates and thirdly, we had to follow all instructions from local authorities.
Because Mexican law prohibits foreign citizens from participating in political activities, the warning emphasizes that anyone participating in political demonstrations could be detained or deported.
Due to Sheinbaum’s polarizing relationship with her political mentor, outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and the fact that she is the first woman to take on the role, a strong military and police presence is expected during the election period.
Sheinbaum marks a progression of women’s power in Mexico and hopes her election will mark a change in a country with one of the highest murder rates against women in the world.
And while this marks a historic moment in Mexican history, some voters see her victory more as a referendum on López Obrado, one of the most popular and divisive figures in Mexican history.
López Obrado, known by his initials AMLO, has lifted millions of people out of poverty but has been criticized for strengthening the military and undermining democratic institutions.
Sheinbaum has stated that she wants to continue the AMLO policy, which included cash payments to low-income residents and a universal retirement benefit for seniors.
