Sheinbaum Commands 72% Approval Rating as Security Measures Gain Public Support

As Mexico continues to navigate a challenging economic and security landscape, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo stands out with robust approval ratings that signal substantial public support for her administration’s policies. According to a recent opinion poll by the firm Demoscopía Digital, President Sheinbaum Pardo commands an impressive 72.2% approval rating. An even larger segment, 77.1% of the population, rates her performance positively, as confirmed by another survey from FactoMétrica.

Such numbers reflect a high level of national confidence, despite persistent challenges. As Mexico faces complex issues like organized crime and socio-economic disparities, Sheinbaum’s administration has garnered favorable perceptions through a multi-pronged governance approach that combines tough security measures with a push for social welfare.

The support for Sheinbaum’s administration is geographically widespread, but certain states shine as strongholds of presidential favor. Baja California leads with 75.2% approval, followed closely by Guerrero at 74.9%, and Nayarit at 74.8%. Puebla, Chiapas, and Oaxaca also show particularly high endorsement rates, each hovering around the 74% mark.

The support is hardly a regional phenomenon, however. Mexico City, known as CDMX, delivers a 73.9% approval, a crucial figure given the capital's political weight. Even traditionally more scrutinizing states like Chihuahua and Sinaloa show approval rates of 74.1% and 73.8%, respectively. On the lower end of the spectrum, yet still holding a majority, states such as Jalisco and Durango exhibit support rates of 69.4% and 69.2%, underscoring the consistent approval seen across the nation.

Sheinbaum’s ability to maintain high approval across a diverse set of regions suggests a political dexterity in addressing local concerns while keeping a cohesive national agenda. It is a balancing act that few politicians have managed to sustain, especially in a country where regional disparities often translate into divergent political sentiments.

One of the pillars of Sheinbaum’s presidency has been her administration's security strategy, marked by the involvement of the Armed Forces. This approach, while contentious among policy analysts and human rights advocates, finds solid backing among the general population. According to Demoscopía Digital, 56% of respondents strongly agree with the use of military force, such as deploying the Army and the National Guard, to combat organized crime. Another 21% agree, amounting to a total of 77% in favor of these measures.

This broad endorsement reflects widespread public anxiety over safety. For many Mexicans, security remains a daily concern, making any firm action against crime a welcome policy. Only 13% of those surveyed expressed disagreement with the military approach, a telling sign that Sheinbaum’s policies resonate with the public’s demand for security, even if they raise concerns among some policy experts.

President Sheinbaum’s focus on security is part of a broader, more nuanced strategy. She has navigated a landscape fraught with organized crime and a history of violence with measures that are seen as pragmatic rather than ideological. Her administration’s approach has evidently struck a chord with a population weary of insecurity but eager for stability.

Fighting Poverty and Corruption

The President’s policies extend beyond security. FactoMétrica’s data reveals that her administration receives high marks in areas crucial to national development, such as the fight against poverty and corruption. Some 67.9% of respondents approve of Sheinbaum’s anti-poverty initiatives, a significant figure in a nation where economic inequality has long driven social and political discourse.

Her administration’s social welfare programs, focused on improving living standards and narrowing the economic divide, have clearly made an impact. They have not only provided immediate relief to disadvantaged communities but have also contributed to a more favorable perception of her governance.

Similarly, the battle against corruption, a chronic issue in Mexico’s governance, has garnered 60.5% approval. This indicates that while there is progress, a sizeable portion of the population still harbors reservations, likely reflecting a historical skepticism born from decades of entrenched political graft. Yet, Sheinbaum’s efforts in transparency and accountability are seen as substantive steps forward, which is no small achievement in a country where corruption scandals have often eroded public trust.

Despite these favorable numbers, Sheinbaum’s administration is not without challenges. The broad support for military involvement in security tasks could be a double-edged sword, as any potential misstep or abuse could quickly erode trust. Moreover, sustaining high approval in areas such as anti-corruption and economic development will require not only consistent but increasingly innovative policy measures.

Mexico’s ongoing struggle with economic inequality and its intertwined issues of crime and social welfare will test the resilience and adaptability of Sheinbaum’s governance. As international observers keep a watchful eye on Mexico’s evolving strategies, the President’s approval ratings serve as a barometer of public sentiment in an era defined by both hope and high expectations.

For now, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo stands as a leader buoyed by widespread public confidence, a fact that undoubtedly strengthens her political capital. But the road ahead will demand that she continue to earn that trust, navigating Mexico’s challenges with the same pragmatism and drive that have characterized her administration thus far. In the often turbulent waters of Mexican politics, maintaining this momentum will be her administration's most critical test.

A Day of the Dead Tribute

President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo inaugurated this year’s Day of the Dead offering at the National Palace, an event that holds particular resonance in the heart of Mexican tradition. This year, the grand altar was dedicated to the heroines of Mexico, both those who are celebrated in the annals of history and the countless anonymous women who played pivotal roles in shaping the nation.

“It was made by the Ministry of Culture and is dedicated to the heroines of the Homeland,” Sheinbaum announced, speaking before the offering, an elaborate and evocative tribute that pays homage to generations of Mexican women who fought for their country’s political, social, and economic rights. The installation, steeped in symbolism, honors the memory of trailblazing figures who, despite their contributions, have not always received the recognition they deserve.

The Day of the Dead, known as Día de los Muertos, is a time when Mexicans honor the deceased, constructing altars, or ofrendas, adorned with marigold flowers, photos, favorite foods of the departed, and sugar skulls. This year’s offering at the National Palace is uniquely dedicated to female ancestors whose legacies, known and unsung, have had a lasting impact on Mexican society.

President Sheinbaum underscored the central theme of this year’s ofrenda, which she explained celebrates not only familial ancestors but also the heroines who laid the groundwork for a more equitable society. “For decades, thousands of women mobilized in all parts of the country to fight for their political, social, and economic rights,” Sheinbaum stated, quoting a message inscribed within the offering. “The recognition of full citizenship was one of the main flags.”

From suffragists to activists, from pioneers in education to champions of indigenous and women’s rights, the altar stands as a testament to their relentless pursuit of justice and equality. Names that seldom grace mainstream historical narratives are finally receiving their due, memorialized in a cultural celebration that is as solemn as it is joyful.

The altar commemorates a pantheon of Mexican heroines, some of whom have been largely forgotten by history. “Many women heroes of our country,” Sheinbaum said, listing figures whose contributions have quietly yet profoundly shaped Mexico’s history. Laureana Wright González, a pioneering feminist writer and intellectual; Hermila Galindo, a tireless advocate for women’s suffrage; Rosa Torre González, the first female municipal president in Latin America; and Elvia Carrillo Puerto, an early feminist who fought for women’s voting rights in Mexico, are among those honored.

Others commemorated include Beatriz Peniche and Raquel Dzib Cicero, women’s rights activists in the early 20th century; Aurora Meza Andraca, an educational reformer; and Refugio “Cuca” García, a labor activist. The list also celebrates literary icons like Rosario Castellanos, who gave voice to indigenous and feminist issues, as well as politicians like Aurora Jiménez, the first female federal deputy, and Alicia Arellano Tapia and María Lavalle, trailblazers in Mexican governance.

“These are great women who made our country,” Sheinbaum emphasized. “These days, the day when we remember our loved ones, those who have gone before us, are also days to honor those women who laid the foundation for the rights we enjoy today.”

The Day of the Dead is more than a holiday in Mexico; it is a national treasure, a tradition that has endured and evolved over centuries. President Sheinbaum spoke to the pride that Mexicans feel in this unique celebration. “It is a tradition of the people of Mexico of which we feel very proud,” she said. “It is a day to remember our ancestors, relatives, but also our female ancestors who gave us a homeland.”

The 2024 offering, adorned with vibrant marigolds, papel picado (cut paper decorations), and offerings of food and drink, captures the essence of a celebration rooted in pre-Hispanic culture and enriched by centuries of history. Yet, this year’s focus on heroines serves as a poignant reminder that the contributions of women have often been marginalized or forgotten.

By dedicating the altar to these heroines, Sheinbaum’s administration underscores a broader commitment to recognizing the vital roles women have played throughout Mexican history. The offering is a blend of solemn reverence and vibrant festivity, reminding all who visit that the struggle for rights and equality did not emerge from a vacuum but from generations of brave women who fought against systemic barriers.

This public commemoration is also a statement on the ongoing relevance of gender equality. While Mexico has made strides in women’s rights, challenges remain, and recognizing historical heroines is a way to inspire continued progress. As the country grapples with modern social and political issues, the stories of these women serve as both a source of national pride and a call to action.