London, England — The British newspaper The Guardian has described Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as “the most popular leftist leader in the world,” highlighting that she governs a “very macho” country and was elected amid openly sexist comments suggesting her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, would be pulling the strings of her administration.
“Claudia Sheinbaum is one of the most popularly elected leaders in the world. Her approval rating hovers around 70 percent or more, and she stands out against the wave of conservative and far-right leaders elected in the Americas in recent years,” The Guardian wrote in an article titled “I, Claudia.”
The piece also notes that Sheinbaum is “an inspiration” for many leftists worldwide, citing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, who has repeatedly expressed admiration for her, saying she “has shown what can be achieved when you are willing to fight.”
The Guardian also highlighted praise Sheinbaum has received for her handling of Mexico’s most difficult and important relationship: that with its northern neighbor. “Her ability to manage time during tariff negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump last year was a display of her characteristic attitude, which she calls ‘cool head,’ serenity under pressure,” the article states.
The publication called Sheinbaum’s election “surprising” because, “as many have noted, she is the female leader of a very macho country.”
In that context, it noted that after her 32-point victory over her opponent in the 2024 election, the president addressed sexist criticism in the media with irony: “Many columnists say that I have no personality … that President Andrés Manuel López Obrador tells me what to do, that when I become president he will call me every day.”
The Guardian recalled that “there were many openly sexist comments insinuating that AMLO would be pulling the strings. Some opposition members called her ‘presirvienta,’ a combination of the words ‘presidenta’ and ‘domestic servant.’”
The article highlighted several differences in governing style between Sheinbaum and López Obrador. “Where AMLO was extravagant, she is reserved. Where he was impulsive, she is cautious. Where he was a pure politician, she is a former professor.”
The article’s title, “Yo, Claudia,” references the novel “I, Claudius” by British author Robert Graves, published in 1934 and considered one of the best-selling literary works of the 20th century; it was adapted into a television series by the BBC in 1976.
