Claudia Sheinbaum: Mexico’s Unusually Popular President Stuns the World

Official national surveys show President Claudia Sheinbaum maintains a 79% approval rating, an extraordinary figure for any leader, especially in a country hit by major crime and violence.

She ranks as the most popular president in Latin America, and the second most popular globally behind India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as reported in the latest Enkoll poll taken at the end of August 2025.

Only 18% disapprove of her first year’s performance, a level not seen in Mexico for decades. Sheinbaum’s support comes largely from an ambitious social program push, especially for women and families.

Her government’s 850 billion peso ($45.6 billion) social spending this year reaches 30 million Mexican families directly.

Her signature “Women’s Welfare Pension” gives women aged 60-64 a payment of 3,000 pesos (about $160) every two months.

This program will cost 22.1 billion pesos ($1.19 billion) this year and is set to grow to 69.5 billion pesos ($3.73 billion) by 2030, expanding to help more than 3 million women by the end of her term.

These efforts, along with others, have contributed to lifting nearly 10 million Mexicans out of poverty since 2018, according to World Bank data.

Remarkably, Sheinbaum’s approval survives severe national crises. The homicide rate jumped 55% over ten years, reaching 23 deaths for every 100,000 people.

Claudia Sheinbaum: Mexico’s Unusually Popular President Stuns the World

Violence now costs the Mexican economy 4.5 trillion pesos each year, or around $242 billion—18% of its total yearly economic output.

In Sinaloa alone, a cartel conflict caused over 1,700 murders and 2,000 disappearances since the middle of 2024.

Still, most Mexicans approve of her hard responses: over 10,000 troops deployed to the U.S. border and the extradition of 55 cartel leaders to the United States, a step supported by 68% of citizens. However, 60% oppose letting American agents operate inside Mexico.

Sheinbaum’s direct, technical style stands out. She avoids grandstanding, preferring data and clear explanations.

She is also pushing to cut public funding to political parties and reduce certain Congressional seats, with 81% and 66% public support, respectively.

Despite violence and rocky U.S. relations, Sheinbaum’s popularity stays high. Sixty-eight percent of Mexicans say the country is improving, and Morena, her party, is still the top choice with 45% backing.

The story behind the story is simple: when a leader delivers tangible help to millions in need, people reward trust—even in the face of crisis.

More: Latin America news in English, every day from The Rio Times.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error