Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Monday that Mexico currently has no candidate to support for the upcoming United Nations secretary-general position following Michelle Bachelet’s withdrawal from the race. Bachelet, the former president of Chile, withdrew her candidacy on September 19 after she did not garner enough backing from the UN Security Council.
Sheinbaum highlighted that Mexico had initially supported Bachelet due to her extensive experience in international affairs, her advocacy for human rights, and her commitment to multilateralism. Alongside Brazil, Mexico had endorsed her candidacy from the start. However, with Bachelet exiting the race, Mexico is now awaiting further developments in the selection process before deciding on its next steps.
The search for the next UN secretary-general, who will succeed António Guterres at the end of his term on December 31, 2026, continues with seven candidates still in contention. As the process moves forward, Mexico has expressed a commitment to reassessing its position based on the emerging candidates.
In addition to discussing the selection process, Sheinbaum called for reforms within the United Nations to enhance its effectiveness in addressing global conflicts, promoting peace, and safeguarding human rights. She emphasized the need for the UN to play a more decisive role in resolving international crises, suggesting that structural changes could better equip the organization for these challenges.