Mexico has historically elected its first female president – but the news comes amid what is the bloodiest election in the country’s history.
According to the National Electoral Institute there were some 20,000 local and congressional positions up for grabs by candidates, making it the biggest election the country has ever seen. But the event was marred by violence, with 38 candidates assassinated in the build-up.
Claudia Sheinbaum, 61, swept to power as the candidate of the ruling Morena party, securing between 58.3% and 60.7% of the vote. On Sunday (June 2), at a polling station in Puebla state, two people were killed.
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On Friday (May 31) a candidate was killed in the same state while taking part in a political rally. Jorge Huerta Cabrera had been running for a seat on the council of Izucar de Matamoros, but according to the state prosecutor was gunned down.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The candidate’s wife and one of his colleagues were also reported to be injured in the attack. His death took the total number killed past the record set by the 2021 midterms, which claimed the lives of 36.
Sheinbaum has promised to increase security in the country, although has not yet given many details about how this would be done. Meanwhile, according to Sky, analysts have said that the influence of organised crime groups in the country only became greater during the previous term, which had seen another leader from her party at the helm.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Ms Sheinbaum thanked her predecessor Mr Lopez Obrador, who she described as “a unique person who has transformed our country for the better” and vowed to “dedicate public funds to continue the president’s social programmes.”
The Mexican constitution bars presidents from being reelected.
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