Following Michelle Bachelet’s withdrawal from the race for United Nations secretary-general, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico has not yet decided which candidate it will support. Bachelet, known for her expertise in international affairs and advocacy for human rights, withdrew her candidacy on September 19 after failing to garner enough backing from the UN Security Council.
Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico, alongside Brazil, had initially supported Bachelet due to her commitment to multilateralism and her experience. With Bachelet out of the race, Sheinbaum stated, “We have no one to support” at the moment. She indicated that Mexico would wait for the subsequent stages of the selection process before determining its stance.
In light of the ongoing search for António Guterres’s successor, whose term concludes on December 31, 2026, Sheinbaum also called for reforms within the United Nations. She stressed the need for the organization to enhance its effectiveness in addressing global conflicts and promoting peace and human rights. According to Sheinbaum, the UN should have a more significant role in resolving worldwide crises.
With Bachelet’s exit, seven candidates remain in the running for the position of UN secretary-general. The selection process will continue as member states evaluate the remaining candidates before making further endorsements.