On September 17th, 2019, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Mayor of Mexico City, presented her first report to the city congress. She made history by being the first woman to lead the nation and was also an environmental engineer before entering politics. Despite her scientific background, Sheinbaum Pardo has chosen to follow the policies of her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, which were criticized by many researchers in the country.
The election of Sheinbaum Pardo as president has sparked debate within Mexico’s scientific community. Some are optimistic about the impact she may have on science and research, while others are concerned about the continuation of unpopular policies. Rodrigo Pérez Ortega, a reporter at Science Magazine, discusses with Ira the complexities of this election and the reactions of scientists in Mexico.
Overall, the scientific community in Mexico is divided on the potential implications of Sheinbaum Pardo’s presidency. It remains to be seen how her leadership will affect the future of science and research in the country.