Sheinbaum Celebrates First Year in Office, Forecasts Growth

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum presented her first-year report on Sept.1, highlighting  economic growth, record-low unemployment, falling inflation, an unprecedented budget for social programs, infrastructure projects, scientific research, a decline in homicides, and her cooperative relationship with Donald Trump.

Sheinbaum addressed the audience at the National Palace, reflecting on her first 11 months in office. “As the first woman president to account to the nation, I maintain what I said on day one: I did not come alone, I came with all Mexican women,” she stated. She remains one of the most popular leaders worldwide, with a 79% approval rating, according to the latest Enkoll survey for EL PAÍS and W Radio. Her entrance featured a female-only honor guard, and she emphasized: “Today I come to report not with empty words, but with results.”

Sheinbaum highlighted Mexico’s strong position under the new trade landscape created by US President Donald Trump. “In recent months, the world has faced complex situations due to new tariff realities. In this context, Mexico has the lowest average tariff rates in the world,” she stated.

She forecasted 1.2% annual economic growth despite difficult conditions and “catastrophic expectations” from international financial organizations. Foreign investment reached record levels in the first half of the year, tourist arrivals grew 13.8%, the peso remained below MX$19 per dollar, unemployment hit 2.7%, and annual inflation in July fell to 3.5%, the lowest since January 2021.

Despite economic achievements, insecurity remains Mexico’s biggest concern. Sheinbaum noted a 25% drop in homicides since September of last year, yet an average of 65 people are still killed daily. High-impact crimes fell by 20%, and a new national strategy against extortion, affecting 7 million victims annually, has been implemented to prosecute the crime proactively.

Much of Sheinbaum’s report focused on social programs benefiting students, women, farmers, producers, and pensioners, funded with a historic budget of MX$836 billion. This represents a 638% increase since 2018, when the budget barely exceeded MX$100 billion. “This is Mexico’s most ambitious social plan, based on the principle of our movement: for the good of all, first the poor,” she stated.