On the evening of September 15, 2025, Mexico’s central square will pulse with the energy of tens of thousands gathered for the annual grito—the rousing shout of independence that marks the country’s break from colonial rule. But this year, there’s a historic twist: for the first time in the nation’s history, a woman will lead the crowd in the iconic call of “Long live Mexico!” President Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office nearly a year ago, is set to preside over the ceremony, capping off a whirlwind first year as Mexico’s first female president.
Sheinbaum, 63, assumed office on October 1, 2024, after a landslide victory that shattered a glass ceiling in Mexican politics. According to Beritaja and MCT, her first year has been marked by sky-high approval ratings, consistently above 70%, a feat few leaders can claim—especially in a country grappling with persistent violence, economic strain, and the looming shadow of its powerful northern neighbor.
Her presidency has already notched several major achievements. Sheinbaum oversaw the passage of sweeping constitutional reforms and guided Mexico through unprecedented judicial elections, both moves that have drawn intense scrutiny and debate. She also faced the formidable challenge of negotiating with former U.S. President Donald Trump, making key concessions on migration and security to stave off threatened tariffs on Mexican goods. The stakes could hardly have been higher: Mexico’s economy, already shaky, would have been dealt a punishing blow by new trade barriers.
But perhaps her most tangible domestic victory is a dramatic 25% reduction in homicides—a statistic that stands out in a nation long battered by cartel violence. Sheinbaum credits her administration’s aggressive new crackdown on organized crime for the improvement. “We’re doing well and we’ll get better,” she told Congress earlier this month, her confidence echoed by the cheers of “Long live Claudia!” from her party, Morena, which holds a commanding majority in both houses of the legislature.
Yet, as with any political story, the reality is more nuanced. From the outset, Sheinbaum has had to navigate the long shadow cast by her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), a populist icon beloved by Mexico’s working class. Sheinbaum campaigned as the standard-bearer for AMLO’s movement, promising to continue his ambitious project to reduce poverty and shift power away from entrenched elites. After her landslide win, critics dismissed her as a “puppet”—a charge she’s waved off as sexist, but one that has forced her to walk a delicate line between loyalty to her political roots and forging her own identity.
According to political analyst Jorge Zepeda Patterson, Sheinbaum has deftly outmaneuvered rivals within Morena, emerging as the new voice of the movement. “She is the heir, she is the interpreter of the entire movement, and that is no small thing,” Zepeda Patterson observed, as reported by Beritaja. Sheinbaum has continued many of AMLO’s hallmark policies, including a widely popular welfare program that distributes cash to youth, people with disabilities, and senior citizens. She’s also kept up his tradition of daily morning news conferences, often referencing the former president’s signature phrase: “For the good of all, the poor first.”
But Sheinbaum has not simply followed in her predecessor’s footsteps. While AMLO was known for his combative, ideological style—railing at length against neoliberalism and the so-called “power mafia”—Sheinbaum has adopted a more diplomatic, measured tone. She’s emphasized the importance of entrepreneurs to Mexico’s future and, in her public appearances, projects calm and careful deliberation. This shift is most evident in her security strategy. AMLO’s “hugs not bullets” approach scaled back security cooperation with the U.S. and prioritized social programs over direct confrontation with cartels. The results were mixed: homicides remained near record highs, and criminal groups expanded their reach.
Sheinbaum, under pressure from Trump and the U.S. to clamp down on drug trafficking, has charted a new course. Her administration has dismantled fentanyl labs, orchestrated major drug busts, and extradited dozens of cartel leaders to the United States. These efforts have not gone unnoticed. According to MCT, Sheinbaum’s assertive approach has contributed directly to the significant drop in homicides, offering a glimmer of hope for a country weary of violence.
Still, the challenges ahead are daunting. Chief among them is managing the ever-complicated relationship with the United States. Trump, who has designated Latin American drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, recently authorized the U.S. Department of Defense to use force against them. The U.S. military’s destruction of a Venezuelan vessel accused of drug trafficking—killing 11—sent shockwaves through the region. For Sheinbaum, the specter of U.S. military action on Mexican soil is a constant pressure point.
Despite several phone conversations described as “successful” by both leaders, Sheinbaum and Trump have yet to meet in person. Trump’s assessment in August 2025 was cautiously optimistic: “More and more, we are getting to know and understand each other.” Sheinbaum, for her part, has responded to Trump’s more incendiary statements with a calm firmness. “There will be no invasion” and “Mexico is not a colony of anyone,” she has declared, resisting the urge to escalate rhetoric and instead choosing to keep the diplomatic channels open. When pressed for comment on Trump’s latest hyperbolic remarks, she’s been known to say simply, “President Trump has his own way of communicating.”
Sheinbaum’s presidency is also defined by the tides of nationalism and feminism sweeping the country. Many Mexicans see her leadership as transformative, a symbol of what is now possible for women in a society where machismo has long dominated. She often repeats the words she spoke on election night: “I didn’t arrive alone, I arrived with all Mexican women.” This sentiment resonates across party lines, inspiring citizens like Mexico City resident Esther Ramos, who told Beritaja she plans to bring her young daughters to witness Sheinbaum’s historic grito. “My two daughters will see that a woman is capable of achieving whatever they want,” Ramos said.
Even as Sheinbaum faces criticism—most notably over her overhaul of the judicial system, which now requires judges to be elected by popular vote—her popularity remains resilient. Critics like former president Ernesto Zedillo have warned that such reforms risk concentrating power and enabling corruption. “That’s something dictators only invent to control the judiciary,” Zedillo argued. Yet Sheinbaum’s supporters see her as a stabilizing force, guiding the country through turbulent times while maintaining a steady hand on the tiller.
Her first year in office has been a study in balancing continuity with change, loyalty with independence, and pragmatism with principle. As Mexico prepares to celebrate its independence, the sight of Claudia Sheinbaum leading the grito will serve as a powerful reminder of how far the country has come—and the challenges that still lie ahead.