The article focuses on the early days of Claudia Sheinbaum's presidency in Mexico, particularly her handling of Donald Trump's return to power and his threats against Mexico. Sheinbaum, unlike her predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), adopts a more controlled and less confrontational approach.
Sheinbaum's response is characterized by a calm, rational demeanor. She prioritizes a measured response, emphasizing Mexico's sovereignty while choosing to focus initially on domestic issues such as public health initiatives during her press conference (mañanera). She strategically downplays some of Trump's threats, highlighting the lack of concrete action and focusing on factual data such as decreased border crossings.
The article also delves into Sheinbaum's background, highlighting her academic career in physics, her involvement in student activism during a time of political repression in 1968 Mexico, and her family history as descendants of Jewish immigrants escaping persecution in Europe. This context shapes her political ideology and approach.
Sheinbaum's rise to power is presented as a carefully orchestrated succession from AMLO's regime. While there is cautious optimism in Washington, some express concerns about her inheriting some of AMLO's weaknesses without his same authority.