Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico currently has no candidate to support for the next United Nations secretary-general following the withdrawal of Michelle Bachelet from the race. Bachelet, a former president of Chile, backed by Mexico and Brazil, withdrew her candidacy on September 19 after failing to secure sufficient backing in the UN Security Council.
Sheinbaum expressed that Mexico initially supported Bachelet due to her extensive experience in international affairs, her advocacy for human rights, and her commitment to multilateralism. With Bachelet no longer in the running, Sheinbaum stated, “We have no one to support” and mentioned that Mexico would wait for the next phase of the selection process before deciding on its stance.
The search for a successor to current UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term ends on December 31, 2026, continues with seven candidates remaining in the selection process. Sheinbaum also highlighted the need for reforms within the United Nations, emphasizing the importance of the organization’s role in addressing international conflicts and enhancing its capacity to promote peace and human rights globally.