Claudia Sheinbaum Inaugurated as Mexico's First Female President

Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo becomes Mexico's first female president as she is sworn-in at a grave ceremony at Congress.

"I swear to uphold and enforce the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States … and to loyally and patriotically carry out the office of president of the republic that the people have conferred upon me," Sheinbaum said with her hand raised in a sign of oath.

Sheinbaum, 62, won the presidential elections in June with a large majority of the votes to become the first woman to assume the office.

In her first message to the nation as president, Sheinbaum said the Latin American country has entered an era of change, in which women are protagonists, Xinhua news agency reported.

Her administration will continue in the reform process initiated by her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, as part of Mexico's so-called Fourth Transformation, "whose priority will be promoting self-determination and development, primarily in order to help people leave poverty," she said.

In a long interrupted by several thunderous rounds of applause and cheers, Sheinbaum hailed the political legacy of Lopez Obrador by describing the former president as a true democrat and patriot in the tradition of the country's great national heroes.

Released recently is a 17-point government plan from Sheinbaum, who will take office for the 2024-2030 term, focused on the "republican austerity" of her predecessor in refusing to follow the luxurious lifestyle and corruption of former officials, and being strengthened by welfare programs and education.

The plan strengthens rights relating to gender diversity and accelerates the energy transition for the development process.

In foreign policy, it endeavors to ensure that the trade agreements that exist bilaterally and the USMCA for free trade between Mexico, the United States, and Canada exist and to encourage investment within the country.