Claudia Sheinbaum has made history. For the first time, a woman will govern Mexico, a country often characterized as ‘machista,’ where men ‘call the shots’ and women follow orders. However, in recent years, women have risen in both the political and business spheres.
Sheinbaum herself, the leader in the Mexican elections, was previously the Head of Government of Mexico City, the most important city in the country and one of the most significant globally. Known affectionately as Claudia, she has always risen within the political left and the intellectual world. The daughter of Jewish parents, she took ballet classes from a young age and was open to social commitments.
She began her political journey witnessing the meetings her parents hosted at home during the 1968 Student Movement. Later, during her university years, she was part of the student leadership in 1986 when UNAM, the country’s most important university, went on strike against proposed technocratic policies.
She becomes the first woman to govern Mexico. It is a hope in a country where violence against women is common in society.
Those who know her say that the presidential candidate from Morena, reverently called the Doctor due to her academic degree, is a tireless worker. In decision-making, she gathers data from her collaborators, listens attentively, and only then makes a decision without rushing. She is open to debate and can change her stance, but when she makes a decision, she does so firmly. Perfectionist as she is, she delegates tasks but follows up and supervises until the end. She is reflective and takes time to respond, debates respectfully without imposing on those around her. As an opponent, she is generous and holds no grudges. When she crosses the strictly professional barrier with her team, she shows warmth, concern for others, and a penchant for hugs and humor.
Sheinbaum, 61, an environmental scientist and one of the founders of Morena, the party of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, carries the historical burden of opening the doors of the presidency to Mexican women, a historic feat in the country’s two centuries as an independent republic. “She, small and slender as she is, exudes immense authority through her mere presence and body language because she is very serious and reflective,” says Renata Turrent, an academic part of Sheinbaum’s campaign. “I’ve seen discussions with differing opinions, but I’ve never seen anyone dispute her authority. There is always immense respect for her role from all her collaborators, and that legitimacy is earned,” she adds.
“Claudia Sheinbaum is a perfectionist. I have organized several events for her. Everyone congratulates me, but she calls to point out the mistakes: ‘Hey, this was missing, you didn’t organize this, you overlooked this detail.’ She notices things others don’t. She has a capacity for scanning everything. Watch her at a public event; she scans everything and then tells you so the next event can be better,” says Arturo Chávez, a sociologist and friend from university who now works on her campaign.
The opposition has tried to turn this character trait into a flaw. Xóchitl Gálvez, candidate of the unusual alliance between the left and right (PAN, PRI, and PRD), accused her of being cold and emotionless, calling her the “Ice Queen” during a debate. Many believed this nickname because Sheinbaum appears serious and circumspect and is not easily amused at public events. Her close associates refute these criticisms. “It’s perfectly compatible to be implacable in terms of clarity of what needs to be done and at the same time be very warm,” summarizes Merino.
“Claudia Sheinbaum is a perfectionist. I have organized several events for her. Everyone congratulates me, but she calls to point out the mistakes: ‘Hey, this was missing, you didn’t organize this, you overlooked this detail.’ She notices things others don’t.”
Arturo Chávez recalls with some embarrassment how Sheinbaum, his friend but now also his boss, scolded him a few months ago for making a joke she found very displeasing. “She absolutely dislikes anyone joking about others, mocking, or being disrespectful. She told me, ‘We all deserve respect and attention. You should go on more tours to be more sensitive to people’s problems.’ It was a good wake-up call, and I appreciate it. It shows her sensitivity,” he reflects.
Claudia Sheinbaum studied Physics at the Faculty of Sciences at UNAM. She got involved in political activity through the University Student Council (CEU), created in 1986, which primarily fought against a series of reforms pushed by the rector, Jorge Carpizo, to privatize public education. Sheinbaum was her faculty’s spokesperson in assemblies and took on a leadership role. Arturo Chávez remembers her ability to bring order to the chaos of university assemblies. “She was one of those who organized the endless debates, especially when important decisions had to be made, like going on strike, ending the strike, or opening dialogue with the authorities. She was very organized. We were all impressed by her ability to systematize and say, ‘The alternative is this way.'”
As the confirmed winner of the elections, her presidency is anticipated to be not much different in essence from that of the current president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, though stylistically, it will be completely different. Her independence from the United States will continue to set the tone for foreign policy, and support for the most vulnerable social classes will remain a constant. In immigration policy, greater support for Mexican migrants is expected, especially given the possibility of Donald Trump being re-elected.
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