Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that her government is currently undecided on which candidate to support for the position of the next United Nations secretary-general, following the withdrawal of Michelle Bachelet from the race. Bachelet, who was initially backed by Mexico for her extensive experience in international affairs and her commitment to human rights and multilateralism, stepped out of the race on September 19 after failing to secure enough backing within the UN Security Council.
“We have no one to support” at the moment, Sheinbaum stated, emphasizing that Mexico will wait for the upcoming stages of the selection process before making any decisions. Mexico, along with Brazil, had been supporting Bachelet’s candidacy since the beginning.
In addition to discussing the current lack of a preferred candidate, Sheinbaum called for reforms within the United Nations to enhance its effectiveness in addressing international conflicts and promoting global peace and human rights. According to Sheinbaum, the organization should bolster its role in tackling crises worldwide.
The upcoming UN secretary-general will succeed António Guterres, who is set to complete his second term on December 31, 2026. With Bachelet’s withdrawal, there are now seven candidates remaining in the selection process.