Claudia Sheinbaum’s Monday Press Conference Highlights Progress in Mexico

President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Monday press conference covered notable decreases in homicide rates during Mother’s Day, the inauguration of a new trolleybus project in Mexico City, and plans to invite the newly-elected pope to visit Mexico. She emphasized a significant reduction in crime and the innovation behind the trolleybus project, showcasing women’s leadership locally.

In a recent morning press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum discussed several key topics, including crime rates, a new public transport project, and an invitation extended to the newly-elected pope. Her remarks come in the wake of Mother’s Day, which turned out to be notably peaceful, marking May 10 as the least violent day registered since her administration began. This year, there were only 46 homicides reported. “It was the least violent weekend in several years,” she asserted, referring also to the 60 murders reported on Sunday, totaling 106 for the weekend.

Sheinbaum noted that the previous weekend’s homicide rates represented a 27.5% drop compared to the average for the first four months of the year. Moreover, she stated that April saw a nearly 25% decrease in homicides compared to figures from September during her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s presidency. The president attributed this successful trend to her administration’s security strategies focusing on crime’s root causes while also bolstering the National Guard and intergovernmental cooperation.

In a positive showcase of women in leadership, Sheinbaum, alongside Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada and Mexico state Governor Delfina Gómez, inaugurated a new elevated trolleybus line, a project described as historically significant. The line will link Chalco, in the State of Mexico, to Santa Martha Acatitla in the capital. The three women rode the trolleybus and shared videos on social media highlighting this crucial public transport initiative.

“…It’s a very important project,” Sheinbaum emphasized, indicating that the trolleybus line would enhance transportation in a heavily populated metropolitan area. The section connecting Chalco to Santa Martha Acatitla will be operational beginning Sunday, May 18, though only nine of its total 15 stations will be open to passengers at first.

As for the trolleybus itself, it features some innovative points, including being environmentally friendly, with the absence of pollution and traffic lights along its route. Travel time is projected to drop significantly from an hour and a half to just 40 minutes. Sheinbaum expressed optimism that this could set a precedent for similar projects across the country, addressing transportation needs in a densely populated area containing around 10 million residents.

On a diplomatic note, Sheinbaum indicated that Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez will extend an invitation to newly-elected Pope Leo XIV to visit Mexico. Rodríguez will also attend the pope’s inauguration Mass at the Vatican. “If she can see [the pope] personally, very good,” Sheinbaum remarked. This marks an effort to build relations with the new pontiff following the late Pope Francis’s visit to Mexico in early 2016.

President Sheinbaum’s press conference highlighted significant strides in crime reduction during a notably peaceful Mother’s Day. The launch of a new trolleybus line stands as a testament to innovative public transportation solutions, while a forthcoming invitation to the new pope reflects Mexico’s openness to diplomatic engagement. Overall, these developments indicate a focus on social and infrastructure improvements amid ongoing security challenges.

Original Source: mexiconewsdaily.com