Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Discusses Crime Reductions and Transport Innovations During May 12 Mañanera

During her May 12 mañanera, President Claudia Sheinbaum discussed various topics including a drop in homicides during Mother’s Day, the upcoming trolleybus launch, and an invitation to the new pope. She emphasized recent crime reductions and improvements in public transport, while also noting the significance of engaging with international religious leaders.

In a recent press conference dubbed “mañanera,” President Claudia Sheinbaum discussed key updates on Monday, May 12, 2023. Notably, the session addressed the recent homicide statistics, the launch of a new public transport line, and an invitation extended to the newly-elected pope.

Sheinbaum highlighted that May 10, celebrating Mother’s Day, marked the least violent day since her administration commenced on October 1, 2021. Preliminary data shows that there were 46 recorded homicides on that day. The president noted this is the least violent weekend seen in several years, as Sunday also recorded 60 homicides, totaling 106 murders for the weekend.

When compared to the 53 daily average homicides over the first four months of 2023, the weekend figures represent a significant 27.5% decrease. Moreover, Sheinbaum pointed out that April’s homicides had dipped nearly 25% compared to September 2022, the last month of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s tenure. This progress, she attributed to her government’s security strategy, encompassing four main pillars.

The pillars include addressing the root causes of crime, fortifying the National Guard, enhancing intelligence and investigation efforts, and improving coordination between different levels of government.

Another noteworthy topic was the inaugural journey of a new elevated trolleybus line, seen as a historic moment, featuring three prominent women: President Sheinbaum, Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada, and Mexico State Governor Delfina Gómez. Together, they connected Chalco, a city in Mexico state, to the Santa Martha Acatitla area in Mexico City.

“It’s a very important project for the east of the metropolitan area,” Sheinbaum emphasized during the Monday conference. The trolleybus line will officially open to the public on May 18, allowing limited boarding at nine of the 15 stations.

Sheinbaum praised the trolleybus system, noting its innovative design, which includes a unique elevated pathway that exclusively supports trolleybuses. These electric vehicles promise to reduce local air pollution and significantly shorten travel times—from one and a half hours down to a maximum of 40 minutes without traffic lights.

The area serviced by this new transport development is highly populated, comprising around 10 million residents, a key factor in its establishment.

On the religious front, Sheinbaum mentioned that Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez would deliver an invitation to Pope Leo XIV to visit Mexico. Rodríguez plans to attend the pope’s inauguration Mass at St. Peter’s Square this Sunday.

“If she can see [the pope] personally, very good,” stated Sheinbaum. If not, a letter will be sent extending an invitation to Mexico at a time the pontiff finds suitable. Notably, Pope Francis, who passed away last month, previously visited Mexico in February 2016.

In sum, Sheinbaum’s updates during the mañanera provided a comprehensive view of recent developments in public safety, transportation, and international relations. While celebrating successes, such as reduced violence during Mother’s Day, the focus on transportation promises to enhance mobility and sustainability for Mexico’s populous regions.

President Sheinbaum’s recent mañanera covered significant topics including a notable decline in homicides, the launch of a new trolleybus line, and the invitation extended to the new pope. With crime statistics reflecting a decrease in violence, she outlined various strategies responsible for this development. Furthermore, the introduction of the trolleybus aims to improve public transport efficiency in a growing metropolitan area. Last but not least, the proposed invitation to Pope Leo XIV signals potential future dialogue between Mexico and the Vatican.

Original Source: mexiconewsdaily.com