Fwd: Sra. Presidenta
Molly Molloy
From: Jordana Timerman from Latin America Daily Briefing <latinamerica...@substack.com>
Date: Mon, Jun 3, 2024 at 9:43 AM
Subject: Sra. Presidenta
Claudia Sheinbaum won Mexico’s presidential election by a landslide yesterday, and will become the country’s first female president. The ruling Morena party candidate obtained an estimated 60% of the vote according to official preliminary tallies, a 30 point lead over conservative candidate Xochitl Gálvez. Her victory exceeds even that of her mentor, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who won with 54.71% in 2018. “We imagine a plural, diverse and democratic Mexico. Our duty is and will always be to look after each and every Mexican, without distinction,” said Sheinbaum in her victory speech in el Zocalo last night. (Guardian) “For the first time in 200 years of the republic, I will become the first female president of Mexico,” she said. “And as I have said on other occasions, I do not arrive alone. We all arrived, with our heroines who gave us our homeland, with our ancestors, our mothers, our daughters and our granddaughters.” (New York Times) Morena obtained a comfortable majority in both chambers of Congress, ensuring a smooth path for Sheinbaum’s legislative agenda. Together with allies, Morena can advance with constitutional reform in the lower chamber, but will require support from the opposition to reach the required two-third majority in the senate. (Animal Político) In her victory speech last night, Sheinbaum promised to move forward with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s constitutional reform proposals — dubbed “Plan C.” (Animal Político) Sheinbaum’s victory “has injected fresh energy into a leftist movement that has rapidly reshaped the United States’ most populous neighbor and is poised to assume far-reaching control over government,” reports the Washington Post. The election was seen by many as a referendum on AMLO’s leadership, and the landslide results are a clear vote of confidence, reports the New York Times. Sheinbaum rode to victory on AMLO’s enduring popularity, and faces allegations that she will be a puppet to her political mentor. But, analysts point to her distinct, technocratic background and strong track record as Mexico City’s mayor as a potential indicator of independence. (World Politics Review) Gálvez had sought to leverage herself as an outsider candidate, and posited that an anti-system vote could help propel her to a surprise victory — but instead the results indicate that the parties she represented, an unlikely coalition of conservative and leftist groups, remain a symbol of the political establishment, reports the New York Times. Morena expanded its control over state governments, winning seven of the nine governorships in play, including Mexico City, where candidate Clara Brugada obtained approximately 50% of the vote.
Bukele 2.0El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele launched his second term on Saturday, promising to focus on the economy and eradicating poverty. He said his hardline security policies have succeeded in eradicating the “cancer” of street gangs, though rights groups say reductions in crime have been achieved through systematic human rights violations. Building on the health metaphor, Bukele said El Salvador is still sick, and that economic measures might be a “bitter medicine.” The patient mustn’t suggest treatments, but follow instructions without hesitation, according to Bukele. (El Faro) Bukele marked his second term with a massive military parade, the first time the march happened at an inauguration since the 1992 Peace Accords, reports El Faro English. “The atmosphere in San Salvador was tense. Snipers looked down from high points, including the Palace and the tower of the Metropolitan Cathedral, as soldiers guided the crowds.” Bukele emphasized international support for his government, saying recognition countered allegations that his second mandate violates a constitutional prohibition on reelection. Among the international guests: a high-level U.S. delegation led by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Spanish King Felipe VI and Argentine President Javier Milei. The U.S. delegation’s presence marks a major about face for the Biden administration, a reflection of the U.S. government’s migration concerns in an election year, reports the Associated Press.
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