Is Claudia Sheinbaum Good Friends With Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador?

In politics, friendships are hard to come by, particularly where there's power and personal ambition. Yet in this instance, Claudia Sheinbaum and Andrés Manuel López Obrador, or AMLO, have had something that more resembles a combination of loyalty, mentorship, and extended camaraderie rather than something fleeting or casual. They don't refer to themselves as being best friends, but if political intimacy is something to be competed in, these two would be somewhere in the running.

Claudia Sheinbaum didn’t become Mexico's president overnight. She didn’t suddenly rise to power by mistake. Sheinbaum's route to political prominence was paved over many years working with AMLO, shaping her political career with his guidance and relying upon her as one of his movement's central figures. Not everyone is in sync with her all of the time, but they have remained steadily in tune with one another from day one.

Claudia Sheinbaum Was One Of The Closest Allies AMLO Had During His Rise And Presidency

Claudia Sheinbaum joined the political scene back in the early 2000s when she became the Secretary of the Environment for Mexico City — while AMLO was serving as the city’s head of government. That moment kicked off over two decades of political teamwork. Sheinbaum was one of the original founding members of MORENA, the left-wing party AMLO created after leaving the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD). MORENA quickly turned into a movement, and she was right there with him during the rallies, the policies, and the presidential campaigns.

Even when AMLO faced harsh criticism, especially in the 2006 and 2012 elections, Sheinbaum stayed close. She backed his speeches, supported his goals, and helped push the message of bringing justice and fairness to Mexican politics.

By the time Sheinbaum ran for Mayor of Mexico City in 2018 — and won — it was obvious that she wasn’t just a supporter, but one of AMLO’s most trusted political partners.

Business Name: Sparkly Maid Chicago

Business Number: (224) 214-0145

Business Email: support@sparklymaid.com

Business Address: Chicago, IL

Their Connection Shows In The Way AMLO Endorsed Her Without Hesitation For The 2024 Presidential Run

As AMLO's term in office started to expire, everyone wondered who he would endorse to take his place. A handful of possibilities were tossed about, but Claudia Sheinbaum had always been the front runner. Not necessarily because she announced herself to be coming in second, but because AMLO openly expressed confidence in her.

Indeed, AMLO hardly publicly criticized her as he did with other political figures from time to time. Throughout her own presidential campaign in 2024, he only showered her with praise for her work as much as for her commitment to MORENA's values. Such support proved worthwhile — by August of 2023, El Financiero polls reported Sheinbaum with an advantage of 15 to 20 points over rival candidates in early showdowns, something that would not have happened without AMLO's seal of approval.

Once all votes had come in in 2024, Sheinbaum had come in with about 59 percent of the national vote, even higher than that of AMLO's victory in 2018. Not only did that demonstrate her popularity, though, but it also demonstrated that the public had faith in her to continue where AMLO left off.

While They Are Close Politically, Sheinbaum Has Started To Show That She Wants To Make Her Own Decisions

Although their relationship is good, it's not copy-paste. Claudia Sheinbaum indicated clearly that she is in it to establish her own style. Her first few months in office saw her make subtle but perceptible adjustments in tone and emphasis. Where AMLO prided himself on morning press conferences every day and forceful language, Sheinbaum has trended more towards evidence-based decision-making and careful planning.

She continues to hold to the MORENA principles of assisting working-class communities and promoting greater equality, but she also indicated that she is not hesitant to add her own touch to policies. A case in point is her advocacy for alternative energy sources and science-backed global warming policies, which is directly based on her experience as an environmental engineer and a physicist.

The Relationship Between Sheinbaum And AMLO Is Less About Friendship Labels And More About Shared Purpose Over Time

Claudia Sheinbaum and AMLO have in common more in terms of working toward a common vision over years rather than hanging out with friends. It is whatever you might term political friendship, mentorship, or alliance, but both of them have clearly respected one another and have weathered much political storm together.

And now that Sheinbaum is in power, she's demonstrating that you can be an ally to someone and still become your own type of leader. That balance of loyalty and independence may be the biggest indication that this relationship is deep but also open to evolving with Mexico's next chapter.

Business Name: Sparkly Maid Chicago

Business Number: (224) 214-0145

Business Email: support@sparklymaid.com

Business Address: Chicago, IL