Claudia Sheinbaum Celebrates 100 Days in Office

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated her first 100 days in office with a major event at the city square, attended by over 350,000 supporters. The gathering not only demonstrated her political strength and reaffirmed her popularity but also underscored the challenges her administration faces, including escalating drug violence in Sinaloa and bilateral tensions tied to Donald Trump's return to the US presidency.

Sheinbaum highlighted key legislative achievements during the early months of her administration, including the judicial reform, the dissolution of regulatory bodies, and the recovery of state-owned enterprises PEMEX and CFE as pillars of national sovereignty. She framed her administration as the continuation of the transformation initiated by former President López Obrador. “Critics question the continuity of this project, but this is precisely what we fought for and why we were elected: to further the transformation of Mexico’s public life. We will not return to the corrupt regimes of the past,” she stated.

On public safety, Sheinbaum outlined a four-pronged security strategy focused on addressing the root causes of violence, strengthening the National Guard, leveraging intelligence against organized crime, and enhancing coordination between federal and state authorities. “Building on the progress made during President López Obrador’s administration, I can report that between September and December 2024, intentional homicides fell by 16%, firearm-related injuries by 20%, and violent robberies by 5%. Some would like to see us fail, but our security strategy is driven by humanism, dedication, and integrity. It will succeed,” she declared.

However, Sheinbaum acknowledged the ongoing challenges posed by the Sinaloa Cartel’s internal conflict, which has claimed approximately 600 lives since Sept. 9. The surge in violence follows the US arrests of cartel leaders Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of El Chapo Guzmán. Government statistics show that Mexico recorded 27,794 intentional homicides during the first 11 months of 2024, marking a 1.47% year-over-year increase. 

Regarding Mexico’s relationship with the United States, Sheinbaum reaffirmed her commitment to fostering mutual respect and cooperation as Donald Trump prepares to begin his second term, while emphasizing the importance of Mexico's sovereignty. “Mexico will collaborate and coordinate with the United States, but it will never be subordinate.” She also acknowledged the contributions of Mexican workers in the United States, highlighting their essential roles in agriculture, construction, and academia. “We honor and defend their efforts. They are a source of pride and a pillar of strength for our nation,” she added.

In education, Sheinbaum highlighted the expansion of the Universidad Nacional Rosario Castellanos, with six new campuses slated to open by 2025. In the realm of science and technology, she emphasized Mexico’s progress in strategic initiatives such as Olinia, the country’s first mini electric vehicle OEM, along with advancements in semiconductors, AI, and lithium production. 

Looking ahead to 2025, Sheinbaum announced an unprecedented MX$835 billion social investment for essential programs, including senior citizen pensions, educational scholarships, and support for small-scale producers. She also outlined Mexico’s ambitious goal to increase electricity generation by 27,000MW between 2025 and 2030, with 54% of the total output managed by CFE and a focus on renewable energy. Additionally, PEMEX will maintain oil production at 1.8MMb/d, optimize refinery efficiency, and advance new initiatives in the fertilizer and petrochemical sectors.