🤫 New leaders, secret deals

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Sheinbaum’s soaring popularity turns her into a progressive beacon

Used to riding on a big wave of voter support, President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador asked X’s AI chatbot Grok last week who was the world’s most popular head of state. To his frustration, the answer was Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum, an ideological adversary of his, whose stunning 85% approval rating puts her head to head with Bukele.

State of play. Much of Sheinbaum’s popularity was inherited from her predecessor and ally, Andrés Manuel “AMLO” López Obrador, whose well-liked social programs continued when she succeeded him six months ago.

• Her handling of a problematic border conflict with Donald Trump has rallied more Mexicans to her side, making her one of the many world leaders whose image benefited from confronting the US president.

• While criticizing Trump in public, Sheinbaum has maintained a pragmatic approach behind closed doors, handing some concessions to Trump and even gaining some praise from the US leader.

• The honeymoon effect, typical of new presidencies, also helps. Still, Sheinbaum has added her own twist, not just from being the country’s first female president but also by using a more technocratic approach that appeals to Mexico’s educated middle classes.

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