On June 2, Claudia Sheinbaum was elected as Mexico’s first woman president, a victory that was celebrated as a milestone for women’s empowerment. She is a scientist and a protégée of outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, belonging to his Morena party. The election was the largest in Mexico’s history, with Sheinbaum facing off against a conservative candidate in a race that also included over 20,700 federal and local positions. Despite the historic nature of Sheinbaum’s win, the prevalence of violence against women in Mexico raises concerns about the premature celebration of her victory.
During her time as mayor of Mexico City, Sheinbaum pledged to eradicate violence against women, but the femicide epidemic continued to escalate. Mexico sees at least 10 women and girls killed daily, with tens of thousands of women missing and the vast majority of femicides remaining unpunished. The overall violence in Mexico has also been on the rise, with over 160,000 homicides registered in the first years of AMLO’s presidency and a growing number of missing persons. The situation has led to criticism of AMLO’s handling of the crisis, with accusations of downplaying the severity of the issue.
The violence in Mexico extends beyond femicide and general crime to the political realm, where candidates have been targeted by cartels and organised crime groups. The spike in political killings ahead of the election has been attributed to these groups eliminating unfriendly candidates to assert their influence. In many cases, candidates have been intimidated or killed, leading to a climate of fear and a lack of willing candidates for political roles. The situation reflects the challenges of holding free and fair elections in a country beset by crime and violence.
The role of the United States in perpetuating violence in Mexico is also highlighted, with the demand for drugs and undocumented labour contributing to the growth of cartel activity. As Mexico grapples with increasing numbers of asylum seekers and migrants, the involvement of criminal groups in people smuggling has intensified. The author recounts a firsthand experience of encountering corruption and extortion by Mexican authorities while assisting migrants in their journey through the country, revealing the complex dynamics at play.
Sheinbaum’s plans to cooperate with the US on trade and security issues raise concerns given the history of exploitation and violence associated with such partnerships. The implementation of NAFTA in 1994 had devastating effects on Mexico’s economy, leading to widespread poverty and forcing many into illegal activities, including narco-trafficking. The author questions the impact of US-imposed capitalism on Mexico and its role in perpetuating violence and organised crime. As Mexico transitions to a new administration, it is expected that issues of violence, corruption, and impunity will persist, highlighting the challenges facing the country despite the historic election of its first woman president.
