Challenges in the Life of Claudia Sheinbaum in a Detailed Timeline

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Claudia Sheinbaum. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo is a Mexican politician, scientist, and academic currently serving as the 66th president of Mexico since 2024. She is notable for being the first woman and first Jewish person to hold this position. Affiliated with the National Regeneration Movement (Morena), she previously served as Head of Government of Mexico City from 2018 to 2023. Sheinbaum was also ranked as the fourth most powerful woman in the world by Forbes in 2024.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2006: Investigation of Alleged Electoral Fraud

Following López Obrador’s narrow loss in the 2006 presidential election, Claudia Sheinbaum was tasked with assembling a team to investigate what he described as electoral fraud. The team analyzed tally sheets and used data from the Preliminary Electoral Results Program (PREP) and submitted the findings to the Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judiciary (TEPJF) as part of a request for a full recount, which the tribunal ultimately denied.

April 2016: Alleged Responsibility for Demolition of Chapel

In April 2016, during Sheinbaum's mayorship of Tlalpan, city staff were ordered to demolish a wall adjacent to a chapel, which led to the destruction of part of the chapel's structure. Juan Guillermo Blandón Pérez, the parish priest, alleged that Sheinbaum was responsible for demolishing the chapel.

September 2016: Zoning Infringement at Colegio Enrique Rébsamen

In September 2016, the city's Institute for Administrative Verification ruled that the Colegio Enrique Rébsamen, a private school in Tlalpan, infringed zoning regulations and was built higher than was allowed.

September 2017: Structural failures detected before earthquake

In September 2017, Det Norske Veritas (DNV) detected that one of the beams that collapsed in the Metro Line 12 collapse already had structural failures since before the earthquake of September 19, 2017.

2017: Collapse of Colegio Enrique Rébsamen

During the 2017 Puebla earthquake, the Colegio Enrique Rébsamen, a private school in Tlalpan, collapsed, killing 19 children and seven adults. Sheinbaum faced criticism for not providing a complete account of the permits for the school's land use, construction, and operation.

2017: Accusations Regarding Colegio Enrique Rébsamen Collapse

During the campaign period, Claudia Sheinbaum was accused by members of Por México al Frente of being culpable for the collapse of the Colegio Enrique Rébsamen, a private school in Tlalpan, during the 2017 Puebla earthquake.

2018: Start of Term as Head of Government

In 2018, at the start of Claudia Sheinbaum's term as Head of Government, Mexico City's homicide rate was 17.9 per 100,000 people. Her tenure saw several high-profile incidents.

2019: Declared Gender Violence Alert

In 2019, Claudia Sheinbaum declared a gender violence alert in response to rising public concern. Her administration launched a citywide hotline and built over 700 kilometers of "safe corridors" to improve security for women in public spaces.

February 2020: COVID-19 response

In February 2020, shortly after the first COVID-19 case in Mexico City was confirmed, Sheinbaum addressed the city, emphasizing that while the risk was low, the population needed to stay informed through official sources.

May 2021: Collapse of Line 12 of the Mexico City Metro

On May 3, 2021, at around 10:22 p.m., several girders, part of the tracks, and two wagons of Line 12 of the Mexico City Metro collapsed between the Olivos and Tezonco stations, resulting in 26 deaths, 80 injuries, and five missing persons.

May 2021: Ebrard's Response to Metro Collapse

On May 4, 2021, Marcelo Ebrard expressed his willingness to respond and collaborate in the event of any request from the authorities regarding the collapse of Metro Line 12.

June 2021: Dismissal of Florencia Serranía Soto

On June 28, 2021, Sheinbaum dismissed the general director of the Mexico City Metro, Florencia Serranía Soto.

February 2025: Constitutional reform proposal submitted to Congress

In February 2025, Sheinbaum submitted a constitutional reform proposal to Congress aimed at prohibiting immediate reelection and barring family members of sitting officeholders from running for the same position.

February 2025: Reached agreement with President Trump to suspend tariffs

In February 2025, following President Trump’s executive order implementing tariffs on Mexican imports, Sheinbaum reached an agreement with Trump to suspend the tariffs for one month, committing to deploy 10,000 National Guard troops to the border.

March 2025: Discovery of a training camp in Teuchitlán, Jalisco

In March 2025, authorities discovered a training camp in Teuchitlán, Jalisco, allegedly used by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) as a forced recruitment center, which resulted in the arrest of a dozen people, including the municipality's mayor and alleged CJNG recruiter "El Comandante Lastra".

August 2025: Plans to increase tariffs on imports from China

In August 2025, Sheinbaum's government announced plans to increase tariffs on imports from China, prompting a warning of retaliation from the Chinese government.

September 2025: Fuel theft investigation implicates officials

In September 2025, a fuel theft investigation implicated federal agents, businessmen, and senior Mexican Navy officials, including Vice Admiral Manuel Roberto Farías Laguna, with authorities arresting 14 people in connection with the case.