Mexico is on the edge of its seat as it awaits the official results of what could be the election of its first female president. This milestone would be a significant achievement in a country with a deeply ingrained patriarchal culture.
The two leading presidential candidates, Claudia Sheinbaum from the leftist Morena party and Xochitl Gálvez from the conservative PAN party, are both women. The third candidate, Jorge Álvarez Máynez, represents the center-left Citizens’ Movement. While their respective parties have claimed early victories, the National Electoral Institute (INE) has yet to announce the official results.
The election, which took place on Sunday, was the largest in Mexico's history, with over 98 million registered voters and more than 20,000 positions up for grabs. Despite the early claims of victory, the official results are pending as the INE continues to process the votes.
Violence has cast a shadow over this election, with numerous political candidates and applicants falling victim to criminal organizations seeking to influence the outcome. In addition to security concerns, immigration remains a top issue for Mexican voters, given the country's ongoing challenges with migrants and asylum seekers.
The United States is closely monitoring the election results, as Mexico is a key ally on various fronts, including trade, drug trafficking, and migration management. The US is also preparing to announce a border executive action, further underscoring the importance of the relationship between the two countries.
Both the US and Mexico are in an election year, a rare occurrence that happens once every 12 years. As they navigate this period of transition, cooperation between the neighboring nations is crucial to address shared challenges such as migration, drug trade, and economic ties.
