Claudia Sheinbaum has officially been declared as Mexico’s President-elect, making history as the first woman to hold the office in Mexico. The former Mexico City mayor received the legal ruling at a ceremony, following delays due to appeals before the federal electoral tribunal. Sheinbaum is set to be inaugurated as president on October 1, earlier than the traditional December 1 swearing-in date, after Mexican legislators decided that outgoing presidents had excessively long terms. Her term will last six years, until 2030. Sheinbaum has committed to continuing the policies of her predecessor and political mentor, outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Sheinbaum quickly asserted that López Obrador’s strategy of “hugs, not bullets” towards the country’s influential drug cartels will be maintained. This approach focuses on social programs to decrease the number of individuals joining cartels and has faced criticism for its inability to reduce drug-related violence. Sheinbaum emphasized, “The war against drugs will not return.” Sheinbaum secured nearly 60% of the vote, surpassing her closest competitor, Xóchitl Gálvez, who accused López Obrador of utilizing his influence to sway the race in Sheinbaum’s favor.