Mexico elects first woman president, what this means for U.S. relationship: experts

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Mexico made history Monday by electing its first woman president.

The election of Claudia Sheinbaum is being celebrated by both women in Mexico and in the United States.

Though a milestone for women, the victory comes at a time when violence has increased and migration problems continue.

Ruling party presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum addresses supporters after the National Electoral Institute announced she held an irreversible lead in the election in Mexico City, early Monday, June 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

What does this mean for Mexico's relationship with the U.S.

With migration problems in the country's southern and northern border and security problems at the forefront, Sheinbaum will enter office with a wave of challenges.

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Professor of Political Science Carlos Gutierrez said stopping violence will be one of her main challenges going in.

Gutierrez also predicts that the militarization of Mexico will continue under her administration as drug-related crime has expanded beyond just the border areas.

“Violence in Mexico has become generalized," Gutierrez said. "So, it's no longer like 10 years ago, where it used to be just Tamaulipas. You cross into San Luis and everything's like nice and peachy. Now San Luis is dangerous. So she's gonna have to work with this because these elections are terribly violent.”

Both Congressman Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez also provided ValleyCentral with statements congratulating the president-elect.

Both shared that security goals are at the forefront of their agendas with the new administration.

However, U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership Executive Director Andy Carey says the relationship between the country extends beyond just security.

“Migration is a challenge," Carey said. "But economics, power and relationships are also very important. You know, five million jobs in the United States depend on U.S.-Mexico trade. With different challenges going on around the globe, nearshoring is really strengthening the U.S.-Mexico relationship. More and more people go back and forth across the border.”

Carey says the strong relationship between the countries is demonstrated by the fact that Mexico has the largest diplomatic presence of any country in the U.S.

“Viva Mexico," Carey said. "We're excited for Mexico to break this ground and have a historic first ever female president. We're also very excited the way Mexico has engaged people abroad to vote for the first time ever."

There are 51 consulates, like the ones in McAllen and Brownsville, and an embassy demonstrating strong economic and cultural ties.

Gutierrez says Sheinbaum’s election should serve as a wake up call to the U.S.

“The U.S. definitely needs a reform like this," Gutierrez said. "How is it that most powerful country in the world doesn't have a reform that forces the parties to have a woman and a man. That's the most fair thing to do, right? It's not like you're forcing the party to have two women, you are rather forcing equality and equality should be there.”

Sheinbaum will start her six year term October 1.

The Mexican constitution does not allow for reelections.