Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum reaffirmed her support for Michelle Bachelet’s bid to become the next United Nations Secretary-General on Wednesday, despite Chile withdrawing its endorsement of the former president. The move underscores Mexico’s commitment to Bachelet’s candidacy amid shifting political dynamics in the region.
“We will continue to support her. I have a call with her soon,” Sheinbaum told reporters. “It can be done (to continue supporting her). It is not necessary to support someone from your own country. The arguments for which we support her remain valid.”
Chile’s President José Antonio Kast announced Tuesday that his government was retracting its support for Bachelet, stating that “the context of this election, the dispersion of candidacies from Latin American countries and the differences with some of the relevant actors who define this process, develop this candidacy unviable.”
Sheinbaum defended Bachelet as a candidate with “a lot of experience” and a commitment to peace. She also highlighted Bachelet’s two terms as President of Chile.
“She has an idea of building rights and finding peaceful solutions to all conflicts and of rebuilding the United Nations as an organization for resolving international conflicts and as a bill of rights for all people in the world, among other attributes,” Sheinbaum said. “we believe that Bachelet is an ideal person to lead the United Nations, and we will continue to support her.”
Following Chile’s withdrawal of support, Sheinbaum indicated that Mexico would be reaching out to Brazil to determine its position on Bachelet’s candidacy. Brazil had initially joined Mexico and Chile in nominating Bachelet for the role.
However, Sheinbaum reiterated Mexico’s continued support after speaking with Mexican Foreign Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente and Environment Secretary Alicia Bárcena, who she said has “a lot of knowledge of the United Nations and the foreign service.”
Bachelet herself released a statement Tuesday affirming her commitment to pursuing the position. “My willingness to contribute to this challenge remains intact; I will continue working with the governments of Brazil and Mexico, who have nominated my name, reaffirming the collective nature of this project,” she said.
Former Chilean President Gabriel Boric initially confirmed Bachelet’s candidacy during a speech to the United Nations General Assembly last September, and the nomination was formalized in February, shortly before the change in leadership in Chile.
Bachelet, who previously served as Executive Director of UN Women and Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, was considered a strong contender for the position. The rotation of the role suggests a Latin American candidate should be selected, and this could be the first time a woman holds the post.
