MEXICO · POLITICS
Key Facts
- Power Index Mexico ranks 2nd of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 71.4 points (October 2026 edition).
- What is happening A national telephone poll of 800 adults, taken from 15 to 20 October, puts President Claudia Sheinbaum’s approval at 69%, while favourable ratings for her government’s security work fell to 17%.
- Why it matters Sheinbaum stays highly popular, but weaker security ratings and warmer views of working with Washington come as Mexico and the United States review their trade pact and confront cartels.
- The numbers Approval is 69% and disapproval 31%; security performance fell from 27% to 17% and the fight against organised crime from 20% to 13% between September and October.
- Who is who Claudia Sheinbaum is Mexico’s president and belongs to the ruling Morena party; Donald Trump is the US president, whose government’s relationship with Mexico 34% of respondents rate as good.
- What to watch Whether security ratings recover from 17%, and how the review of the US-Mexico-Canada trade pact and US pressure on cartels shape Mexican opinion in coming months.
- What it means for you US exporters and travellers should note that confidence in Sheinbaum’s security record is falling while support for cooperating with the United States against organised crime has risen to 35%.
Mexicans still back President Claudia Sheinbaum, but far fewer rate her security record well. The same poll shows Mexican opinion of the United States shifting.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum keeps a 69% approval rating, but fewer voters now rate her government’s security work well. A national telephone poll published on Tuesday, 3 November, puts security performance at 17%, down from 27% in September.
The poll matters to US readers because it also measures views of Trump’s government, the trade pact and joint action against cartels. It came out on US midterm election day.
Approval Holds While Security Ratings Drop
Sheinbaum’s approval stands at 69% and disapproval at 31%, essentially unchanged from September. Her social programmes also remain popular, at 66% favourable, down from 68%.
Favourable ratings for her government’s security performance fell from 27% to 17%, a drop of ten points. The fight against organised crime fell from 20% to 13%, and the fight against corruption from 22% to 18%.
Economic policy slipped from 49% to 46%, matching its low for the year set in June. Sheinbaum leads Morena, the left-wing party founded by her predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Views of the United States Shift
The share rating Mexico’s relationship with Trump’s government as good or very good fell from 42% to 34%. Optimism that talks on the trade pact are going well slipped from 60% to 54%, still a majority.
Support for more US cooperation against organised crime rose from 23% in January to 28% in July and 35% in October. Those who disagree with US military force against criminal groups on Mexican soil fell from 78% in January to 64%.
Agreement with such force rose from 21% to 33%. Respondents who say Mexico should keep the United States out of its internal affairs fell to 59%, from 76% in January.
Mexicans on the US Midterms
The poll asked about the US midterm elections held on Tuesday, 3 November, which decide control of Congress. Some 38% said they had a lot or some interest in them.
Asked what the elections would mean for Trump, 64% expect him to come out weaker and 20% stronger. The remaining 16% gave no opinion.
How the Poll Was Done
Interviews were by telephone, on landlines and mobiles, with a probability sample across all 32 states. The sample was 800 Mexican adults, with a margin of error of 3.5 points at 95% confidence.
Fieldwork ran from 15 to 20 October 2026, and the results were published on 3 November. Percentages for ratings are the share answering favourably.
What It Means for You
The poll shows voters judging their president on security more harshly while backing closer work with Washington. That matters to US exporters watching the trade pact review, and travellers should check the State Department’s Mexico advisory.
Related Rio Times coverage includes an earlier poll of Sheinbaum’s approval. More is on the Mexico hub, in the Mexico security guide and the Mexico guide, and on the Mexico City page.
What Is Not Known
The poll does not say why security ratings fell, and it shows opinion only up to 20 October. Other pollsters use different methods, so their approval figures can differ.
The exact September approval figure is not stated in the results, which describe the October reading as unchanged. It is not known whether security ratings will recover or fall further.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Claudia Sheinbaum’s approval rating?
A national telephone poll taken from 15 to 20 October puts it at 69%, with 31% disapproving. The margin of error is 3.5 points.
How do Mexicans rate Sheinbaum on security?
Favourable ratings for her government’s security performance fell from 27% in September to 17% in October. The fight against organised crime fell from 20% to 13%.
Do Mexicans want to work with the United States against cartels?
Support for more cooperation with the United States against organised crime rose to 35% in October from 23% in January. A majority still rejects US military force on Mexican soil.
How was the poll carried out?
Interviewers phoned 800 adults on landlines and mobiles across all 32 states. Fieldwork ran from 15 to 20 October 2026.
Sources: National telephone poll of 800 adults, fieldwork 15 to 20 October 2026, results published 3 November 2026; US Department of State, Mexico Travel Advisory (current text to be read by the traveller) (all accessed 3 November 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief