Mexico elects new leader amidst shadow of violence
The violence in Mexico gripped the election process and even the day of the election itself. The 35-year-old candidate Israël Delgado was gunned down the night before Sunday in the western state of Michoacán. Over 25 other candidates had been assassinated in the months leading up to this.
Sheinbaum, who is 61 years old, was significantly ahead of her main competitor, the center-right contender Gálvez, representing a coalition of three opposition parties. "Today marks a momentous day. I'm extremely delighted," Sheinbaum announced as she headed to the polls in Mexico City. "Long live democracy!" she proclaimed after tossing her ballot into the box.
Mexico City's residents recognize Sheinbaum, a descendant of European Jews, as their former mayor (2018-2023). The political figure also gains support from the outgoing president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who put the left in power in Mexico in 2018 and is ineligible to seek re-election.
"Having a woman as president symbolizes a change - we hope she takes positive steps for this country," said 55-year-old voter Clemencia Hernández. "Violence against women here is at an all-time high."
In the second-largest economy in Latin America, Mexico chose a new president, as well as representatives for the House of Representatives and Senate, governors for nine states, and city officials in numerous municipalities. Nearly 20,000 positions were up for grabs, making this the largest election in Mexico.
Solving the rampant gang and drug crime in Mexico will likely be the most challenging task for the new president, according to Michael Shifter of the Washington-based think tank Diálogo Interamericano.
After the commencement of a contentious military operation against the drug cartels in 2006, Mexico has seen over 450,000 deaths, and another 100,000 individuals are seen as missing.
Another crucial matter is its relationship with the mighty northern ally, the United States. At present, the US administration is demanding that Mexico reduce the trafficking of the synthetic drug Fentanyl, which has fueled a fatal opioid epidemic in the United States.
The Mexican government has itself initiated legal proceedings against American weapons manufacturers, claiming responsibility for the countless deaths in the country due to their products.
The persistent question of illegal immigration from Mexico to the United States is another significant subject in the bilateral relationship. According to US authorities, there were 2.4 million detentions last year alone.
The outcome of the US presidential election on November 5th will also influence Mexico's path forward. Whether Sheinbaum will have to face Donald Trump once more in the White House, who led an aggressive anti-immigration policy in his first term, is up in the air.
If Sheinbaum is elected president, it's unclear whether she'll have a majority in Congress. Her Morena party lost its absolute majority in the midterm elections in 2021.
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Sheinbaum's election campaign was significantly affected by the ongoing violence in Mexico. Despite the violence, she maintained a lead over her main competitor, Gálvez, in the election polls. The election of Andrés Manuel López Obrador as head of state in 2018 paved the way for Sheinbaum's political rise. The election day in Mexico City saw many women, including Claudia Sheinbaum and Xóchitl Gálvez, participating as candidates. The election process in Mexico overshadowed by the escalating violence, resulted in over 25 candidates being assassinated before the election day. The election in Mexico wasn't just about choosing a new president, but also representatives for Parliament and governors for various states. The new president will face challenges in addressing the rampant gang and drug crime in Mexico, which has resulted in over 450,000 deaths and 100,000 missing individuals. The relationship between Mexico and the USA will also be a significant concern for the new president, as the US administration demands a reduction in Fentanyl trafficking.
