Mexico's incoming President Claudia Sheinbaum has unveiled her Cabinet, showcasing a balanced gender distribution and a strong presence from academia and her previous administration as Mexico City's mayor. Sheinbaum, a climate scientist and former academic herself, appointed Marcelo Ebrard, a former Foreign Affairs Secretary, as her administration’s economy secretary. Ebrard, who previously ran against Sheinbaum for their party’s nomination, brings a wealth of experience, having overseen the acquisition of foreign-made vaccines for Mexico during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ebrard's appointment has been met with optimism from investors, particularly in light of his role in renewing the free trade agreement with the United States and Canada and attracting foreign investment. However, concerns linger over proposed judicial reforms by Sheinbaum, which have caused fluctuations in the peso.
Sheinbaum also named Juan Ramón de la Fuente, a former UN ambassador and rector of Mexico's largest university, as her secretary of foreign affairs. De la Fuente, known for his diplomatic approach, is expected to bring a steady hand to Mexico's foreign relations.
In a bid to emphasize science and innovation, Sheinbaum announced the creation of a new ministry overseeing science, humanities, technology, and innovation, to be led by Rosaura Ruiz Gutiérrez, a biologist with a strong academic background. Other key appointments include Alicia Bárcena as secretary of environment and natural resources, Ernestina Godoy as legal adviser, and Julio Berdegué Sacristán as secretary of agriculture and rural development.
Sheinbaum has indicated that more Cabinet picks will be revealed in the coming week, as she shapes her administration to address the diverse challenges facing Mexico.
For more news on Latin America and the Caribbean, visit AP's coverage.
