Claudia Sheinbaum and other female presidents in Latin America: a path towards gender equality in regional politics

Claudia Sheinbaum has become a historic milestone by being elected as the first female president of Mexico, setting a precedent in a country where politics has traditionally been dominated by male figures. However, before Sheinbaum, seven women in Latin America had already been elected as presidents in their respective countries, paving the way for gender equality in regional politics. One of the pioneers in this regard was Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, who became the first woman elected as president of Nicaragua in 1990. Her victory represented a milestone for both Nicaragua and all of Latin America, marking a significant change in the political representation of women in the region. In Panama, Mireya Moscoso assumed the presidency in 1999, becoming the first woman to hold this position in her country. Her tenure was marked by the revival of the political legacy of her husband, Arnulfo Arias Madrid, and overseeing the handover of the Panama Canal from the United States. Another prominent figure is Michelle Bachelet, who not only was the first female president of Chile, but also the first woman to hold the position of Minister of Defense in Latin America. Bachelet promoted important reforms during her term, including advances in human rights and gender equality. In Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner stood out for her long political career and leadership in the implementation of social inclusion policies, such as the Universal Child Allowance and the Same-Sex Marriage Law. Her presidency was marked by her fight against corruption and her centrality in the Argentine political scene. In Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla Miranda became the first female president of the country in 2010, standing out for her experience in public security and institutional reform. Chinchilla continued her career internationally, participating in various advisory councils and international organizations. In Brazil, Dilma Rousseff was the first female president of the country, although her second term was interrupted by her impeachment due to accusations of violating budgetary norms. Rousseff stood out for her fight against corruption and her leadership in the economic sphere. Recently, Xiomara Castro was elected president of Honduras, marking a milestone in the country's political history. Castro committed to promoting women's rights in a country with high rates of femicide and restrictive abortion policies. These seven women paved the way for gender equality in Latin American politics, demonstrating that women play a fundamental role in decision-making at the national level. The election of Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico is a reflection of this progress towards greater female representation in the region, opening up new possibilities for women's leadership in Latin American politics.