Argentina’s former president Alberto Fernández appeared alongside Mexico’s new president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum at her party’s bunker on Sunday night as she secured a historic election victory.
Sheinbaum, a former mayor of Mexico City, became the first woman to be elected president of the Latin American nation on Monday as votes were tallied. The 61-year-old will replace outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in October.
Fernández, who was at the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party’s bunker on Sunday night, was able to offer his congratulations in-person. The Peronist leader embraced the president-elect and later posted his support on social media.
“The first results of Mexico's presidential election are in. I have had the privilege of being able to embrace [she] who will be the new president of this beloved country, our dear Claudia Sheinbaum," said Fernández.
“I had the honour of being with her and her team to receive the first results. A progressive woman will continue in Mexico the enormous task that my dear Andrés Manuel López Obrador started. Latin America celebrates. Congratulations, dear Claudia,” he wrote.
Ex-president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner hailed the victory, congratulating Sheinbaum and her Morena party on their “historic democratic day.”
“From Argentina, our country, we salute the Mexican people for the historic democratic day they led. And we congratulate the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) for the victory obtained at the polls and its candidate, today the first President of Mexico, Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum,” the former vice-president wrote.
At the time of writing, Argentina’s current President Javier Milei had yet to offer his congratulations to the new president-elect.
US, UK reaction
US President Joe Biden on Monday welcomed the "historic" election of Sheinbaum as Mexico's first woman president.
"I congratulate Claudia Sheinbaum on her historic election as the first woman President of Mexico," Biden said in a statement, adding that he looked forward to working with her "in the spirit of partnership and friendship."
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron also congratulated Sheinbaum, describing her election as "historic."
"Congratulations to @claudiashein for her historic election as the first female president of Mexico," the UK’s top diplomat wrote on social media.
"The United Kingdom and Mexico have been friends for 200 years, working closely together on shared opportunities and challenges," added Cameron, 57, who served as Britain’s prime minister between 2010 and 2016.
– TIMES/AFP
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