Stories from Mexico

The election of a new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, is a moment of history. For the first time, a woman is in charge of the country. Mexicans will tell you she has a lot of work to do.

Host James Reynolds has been travelling around the country, hearing about those challenges through the lives and concerns and hopes of the people he spoke with.

One common theme is danger. Many live in fear of criminal cartels and armed gangs, and women feel unsafe on the streets. “We’re afraid every day,” Ricardo tells us. His brother was abducted six years ago, and his sister, who tried to find him, was murdered. “We’re afraid of going out and going out with our children, and I don’t know any more know who to trust.”

In a migration camp in Tijuana near the US border, a couple with two young daughters describe how they left their hometown after receiving death threats from a cartel and are desperately hoping to be allowed over the border to the US to make a safer life there.

James also hears the thoughts of two women in Mexico City about the prospect of a woman president. For one of them at least, there’s hope that it will make a difference. “I’m a girl who wants to be a doctor,” Ana says. “You have to think that there’s some difficulties there, like a lot of male power and it’s not very easy, but I hope that this (election) changes things for everyone.”

A Boffin Media production in partnership with the BBC OS team.

(Photo: Claudia Sheinbaum, the presidential candidate of the ruling Morena party, addresses her supporters after winning the election, in Mexico City, 3 June, 2024. Credit: Raquel Cunha/Reuters)