Latin American left celebrates Sheinbaum’s victory in Mexico’s presidential election

Claudia Sheinbaum’s resounding victory in Mexico’s presidential election on Sunday has triggered a wave of reaction on the world stage. Leaders and politicians from Latin America, the United States and Europe congratulated the representative of the governing Morena party even before the official data from the preliminary count was released by the National Electoral Institute (INE), which confirmed Sheinbaum’s victory around midnight. The winner took an average of 59.5% of the votes, representing a 30-point lead over her main opponent, Xóchitl Gálvez. Sheinbaum will be the first female president of Mexico and of North America, a historic milestone that has been applauded by former and current world leaders.

Latin America’s leftist parties have extended a particularly warm welcome to the new Mexican leader, whose party was created a decade ago by the outgoing president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, celebrated Sheinbaum’s victory in a post on social media: “Mexico elected a progressive to be the first woman president in its history. It is a victory for the Mexican people and their democracy. Congratulations to my friend Claudia Sheinbaum, together we will work to see a Latin America that stands united and progressing together.”

A few hours earlier, Colombia’s vice-president, Francia Márquez, had been one of the first politicians to extend a congratulatory message on social media: “It is with great satisfaction that we received the results of presidential elections in Mexico, which represent renewed hope for the region. We congratulate and send hugs to Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first woman president. The bonds of freedom and justice that tie our people together go back to historic leaders such as General Jorge Orlando Melo and Benito Juárez. We look forward to a very successful six years, working together to cement change towards social justice in Mexico and the entire region,” she posted on X.

Argentina’s former president Alberto Fernández also expressed satisfaction at Sheinbaum’s victory. “I have had the privilege of being able to embrace the person who will be the next president of this dear country, our dear Claudia Sheinbaum. A progressive woman will continue the enormous task initiated by my dear López Obrador. Latin American is celebrating,” he posted. A few hours later, another former president of Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, congratulated Sheinbaum and Morena.

The president of Honduras, Xiomara Castro, also issued a public congratulation and revealed that she had already been in touch with Sheinbaum by telephone to discuss working in a coordinated manner for the good of Latin America and the Caribbean. “As the first woman president of Honduras, I extend my sincere congratulations to the first woman president-elect of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, for having managed a resounding victory hand in hand with the people of Mexico and our friend López Obrador.”

The president of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, posted: “Mexico elected its first woman president. Celebrating with her is a people that is strengthened by democracy and the hope of a better future.” He also said that he had telephoned the winner to discuss collaboration options. “Remember that in Guatemala you have an ally that is ready to work together with you towards solidarity, respect for life and general prosperity for our people.”

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