Introduction: A Historic Presidency in Modern Mexico
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s rise to Mexico’s highest office marks one of the most consequential political transformations in the country’s recent history. A trained scientist and veteran administrator, Sheinbaum became Claudia Sheinbaum on October 1, 2024, when she assumed the presidency of Mexico – becoming the first woman in the nation’s two‑century history to occupy that office.
Her presidency represents both a continuation of the political movement known as the Fourth Transformation (4T) – spearheaded by her mentor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador – and a distinct attempt to forge her own legacy as a pragmatic, data‑driven leader confronting Mexico’s deep structural challenges.
Early Life, Education, and Political Formation
Born on June 24, 1962 in Mexico City, Claudia Sheinbaum’s academic and professional life was characterized by scientific inquiry and public service. She earned degrees in physics with a specialization in energy engineering from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and later completed doctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley.
Her early work in academia and environmental science, especially around sustainable energy, laid the groundwork for her first major foray into public life: addressing environmental policy and climate change in Mexico City. This technical background helped establish her reputation as an analytical, policy-oriented figure rather than a typical career politician.
Sheinbaum entered the political mainstream through Mexico City’s government, where she served in roles focused on environmental protection and urban planning.
Mayor of Mexico City: A Testing Ground for Leadership
Sheinbaum’s most prominent pre‑presidential role was her tenure as Head of Government of Mexico City from 2018 to 2022 — essentially the mayor of one of the world’s largest and most complex metropolises. In that position, she tackled a range of tough issues, including crime prevention, environmental protection, public transit, and disaster response.
Her leadership during earthquakes, floods, and the COVID‑19 pandemic showed a willingness to deploy scientific and data‑driven strategies in crisis situations. These attributes helped build broad public recognition and paved the way for national political ambitions.
The 2024 Election: A Historic Victory
In 2024, running as the candidate of the ruling Movimiento Regeneración Nacional (MORENA) coalition, Sheinbaum secured a decisive victory in the presidential election. Her campaign emphasized social justice, gender equality, economic revitalization, and a promise to broaden the gains of the Fourth Transformation.
Her ascension broke a centuries‑old gender barrier in Mexican politics. As Mexico’s first female president, her success resonated both domestically and internationally, symbolizing new possibilities for women in leadership across Latin America.
Domestic Policy Agenda: Plan Mexico and Social Policy
Upon taking office, Sheinbaum articulated a sweeping domestic agenda aimed at structural reform and social investment. Key pillars of her domestic strategy include:
Plan Mexico: Vision and Priorities
Released publicly at the 2025 World Economic Forum summit, Sheinbaum’s Plan Mexico outlined an ambitious blueprint for economic and social transformation. It covered:
- Strengthening the domestic market and boosting wages.
- Expanding infrastructure — including rail, roads, airports, and ports — to facilitate internal connectivity.
- Enhancing food and energy sovereignty.
- Reducing dependence on imports from non‑trade partners.
- Increasing housing access and opportunities for education.
- Simplifying bureaucracy and promoting digital governance.
These goals reflect her broader philosophy that development should be inclusive, equitable, and rooted in Mexico’s internal capacities.
Social Investment and Poverty Reduction
Sheinbaum’s government has placed a high priority on social spending. In 2025, the federal government allocated 850 billion pesos toward programs that benefit tens of millions of Mexican families — a level of investment described as unprecedented in decades.
This emphasis on social well‑being ties back to the Fourth Transformation’s hallmark focus on reducing inequality and expanding access to basic services.
Labor and Economic Reforms
Sheinbaum has advocated for reforms aimed at improving labor conditions. One such initiative proposed a gradual reduction in the workweek from 48 to 40 hours, a shift aimed at modernizing the labor code while also promoting productivity and workers’ quality of life.
Additionally, her government implemented a significant increase in the minimum wage — reportedly around 13 percent effective January 2026 — benefiting millions of workers and putting real income growth at the forefront of economic policy.
Investment in Science and Innovation
Highlighting her roots in scientific inquiry, Sheinbaum announced a substantial budget increase for science, technology, and innovation in 2026. This includes funding for research projects, scholarships, and the development of advanced technology platforms like a Mexican Supercomputer — signaling a long‑term commitment to modernizing the nation’s technological base.
Infrastructure and Major Public Projects
Large infrastructure projects have been central to Sheinbaum’s governance, including:
- The renovation of airports and transportation networks ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — co‑hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada — which are critical for tourism and global visibility.
- Continued expansion of national railway corridors aimed at boosting regional connectivity and economic integration.
These investments are strategic — not only to prepare for global events but also to support long‑range economic growth.
Security and Institutional Challenges
Despite progress in economic and social policy, Mexico’s security environment has posed one of the most significant challenges to Sheinbaum’s presidency. Cartel violence, organized crime, and disappearances remain daily pressures.
Cartel Violence and National Security Policy
In early 2026, news broke of the killing of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, the leader of one of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartels, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). His death triggered widespread violence in multiple states — including Guadalajara — prompting concerns about the fragility of security progress and the retaliatory capacities of criminal networks.
In this context, Sheinbaum has faced criticism and scrutiny over whether federal security policies are sufficient to protect vulnerable communities. Reports of abducted workers in cartel‑infested regions like Sinaloa have raised doubts about the effectiveness of national security measures, even amid the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops.
Public Security Metrics and Challenges
While reported homicide rates and other indicators showed some stabilization under Sheinbaum’s administration, issues such as disappearances — which surged significantly over the past decade — continue to be points of concern. Analysts argue that official figures likely undercount the true extent of missing persons, reflecting deep institutional difficulties in addressing cartel‑related violence.
International Relations: Diplomatic Balancing Act
Sheinbaum’s foreign policy has had to navigate a complex global environment, balancing national sovereignty, economic interests, and regional cooperation.
Relations with the United States
Mexico’s relationship with the United States has been a defining feature of Sheinbaum’s early presidency. With former U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to office in January 2025, Mexico faced heightened pressures, including potential tariffs and strict immigration enforcement. Sheinbaum’s diplomatic approach — firm yet pragmatic — has sought to protect Mexico’s interests while maintaining essential cooperation.
Some observers argue that her handling of Washington’s demands reflects a nuanced balance: resisting overt foreign intervention while ensuring that economic and security ties remain functional.
Protests Against Foreign Military Intervention
In response to speculation about U.S. involvement in internal security operations, Sheinbaum publicly rejected the idea of foreign troops in Mexico — reminding critics of historic instances of territorial loss during earlier interventions and reiterating Mexico’s commitment to sovereignty.
Strategic Regional Cooperation
As the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) approaches its 2026 review, Mexico and Canada have engaged in strategic dialogues to deepen economic integration, particularly in sectors like critical minerals and energy — a key move to strengthen North American competitiveness and resilience.
International Legal and Diplomatic Disputes
Sheinbaum has also openly criticized decisions by foreign governments that she views as undermining Mexican legal processes — such as the granting of asylum abroad to individuals wanted for embezzlement and corruption in Mexico, which she has publicly challenged.
Public Perception and Political Capital
Throughout 2025 and into 2026, Sheinbaum maintained generally high approval ratings, with some polls showing ratings above 70–80 percent amid domestic tensions and external pressures. Supporters often cite her social programs, wage policies, and measured foreign policy as major strengths.
Yet her administration is also navigating growing debates over public security, institutional reform, and economic strategy – with critics calling for stronger results on crime, investment climate improvement, and transparency.
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