Claudia Sheinbaum becomes Mexico’s first woman president
Claudia Sheinbaum has won a landslide victory in Mexico's presidential election, becoming the country’s first woman president of the country plagued by rampant criminal and gender-based violence.
According to preliminary official results from the National Electoral Institute, the 61-year-old former mayor of Mexico City won around 58-60% of votes in Sunday's election.
That was almost 30 percentage points ahead of her main rival, businesswoman Xochitl Galvez.
"I want to thank millions of Mexican women and men who decided to vote for us on this historic day," Sheinbaum told the cheering crowd in Mexico City's main square, pledging that "I won't fail you."
She also thanked Galvez, who conceded defeat.
Sheinbaum is the first woman president in the 200-year history of the country.
She will take office on October 1, replacing Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a fellow leftist and mentor to whom she owes much of her popularity.
Lopez Obrador congratulated his ally with "all my affection and respect."
He noted that Sheinbaum is not only the first woman to lead Mexico, but also "the president with possibly the most votes obtained in the history of our country."
Her victory country was seen as a “transformation” for the country, where about 10 women or girls are murdered daily.
"A female president will be a transformation for this country, and we hope that she does more for women," said Clemencia Hernandez, a 55-year-old cleaner in Mexico City.
Huge lines formed at polling stations across the nation on Sunday, despite sporadic violence in areas terrorized by ultra-violent drug cartels.
Almost 100 million people were eligible to vote in 2024 in the Latin American country, home to 129 million people. The National Electoral Institute estimated that election saw turnout of 60 percent.
Also on Sunday, Mexicans voted for members of Congress, several state governors and myriad local officials, a total of more than 20,000 positions.
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