Following Michelle Bachelet’s withdrawal from the race for United Nations secretary-general, Mexico currently has no candidate to support, according to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Bachelet, who was favored by Mexico due to her extensive experience in international affairs and commitment to human rights and multilateralism, stepped down from the race on September 19 after failing to garner enough backing from the UN Security Council.
President Sheinbaum indicated that Mexico, which had backed Bachelet alongside Brazil, will now wait for the next phase of the selection process before deciding on its stance. “We have no one to support” at the moment, Sheinbaum stated, highlighting the uncertainty about which remaining candidate Mexico might endorse.
Sheinbaum also used the opportunity to call for reforms within the United Nations to enhance its effectiveness in dealing with international conflicts and fostering global peace and human rights. She emphasized the need for the organization to play a more significant role in addressing crises worldwide.
The race to succeed António Guterres as the UN secretary-general, whose term concludes on December 31, 2026, now continues with seven candidates still in contention. The withdrawal of Bachelet, a former president of Chile and seasoned diplomat, has left a notable gap in the pool of contenders.