Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Monday that Mexico is currently without a candidate to support for the position of United Nations secretary-general, following Michelle Bachelet’s decision to withdraw from the race. Bachelet, who had been backed by Mexico and Brazil, exited the candidacy on September 19 after failing to secure enough backing from the UN Security Council.
Sheinbaum expressed disappointment over Bachelet’s withdrawal, citing her extensive experience in international affairs, human rights advocacy, and support for multilateralism as reasons for Mexico’s initial endorsement. “We have no one to support at the moment,” Sheinbaum stated, emphasizing that Mexico will wait for the next stage of the selection process before making a decision on which candidate to back.
In addition to discussing the UN secretary-general race, Sheinbaum called for reforms within the United Nations. She highlighted the need for the organization to become more effective in resolving international conflicts and advancing peace and human rights. According to Sheinbaum, the UN should take a more robust role in addressing global crises.
The selection process for the next UN secretary-general continues, with seven candidates remaining in the race to succeed António Guterres, whose second term concludes on December 31, 2026. The absence of Bachelet, a prominent figure, has left countries like Mexico reassessing their position in the ongoing selection process.