Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo made history on Tuesday when she took over leadership of a growing nation enduring human rights violations and economic hardships fueled by almost two decades of a war on drugs that continues to devastate its citizens.
The Movimiento Regeneración Nacional, or MORENA, candidate won the popular vote on June 2, signaling the continuation of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s leftist agenda and policies.
On Tuesday morning, Sheinbaum began her six-year term when López Obrador made the transference of power during a ceremony at the Congress of the Union in Mexico City.
After former president López Obrador, commonly known as AMLO, passed on the Banda Presidencial — a ceremonial presidential sash that is meant to symbolize the Mexican flag and, per the country’s constitution, can only be worn by the leader of the nation — Sheinbaum was met with chants of “Presidenta! Presidenta!” by those in attendance at the Palacio Legislativo de San Lázaro.
“I am a mother, grandmother, scientist, and woman of faith, and as of today, by the will of the people of Mexico, the Constitutional President of the United Mexican States,” she declared before the nation’s congress after giving her first speech as president. “I will govern for everyone, and be assured that I will put my knowledge, my strength, my history, and my life itself at the service of the people and the country. I am certain that together we will consolidate a Mexico that is more prosperous, free, democratic, sovereign, and fair every day. I will not let you down.”
While closed to the general public, along with congress members, several national and foreign dignitaries were in attendance, including a U.S. delegation led by First Lady Jill Biden.
The delegation was made up of federal officials, including Ken Salazar, U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Xavier Becerra, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Alejandro Mayorkas, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, the only U.S. mayor invited to be a part of the group.
Sheinbaum was scheduled to visit the Zócalo, Mexico City’s main square, to deliver a speech to her constituents, like most presidents have done before her on inauguration day.
Source: OEM
