Claudia Sheinbaum Historically Becomes Mexico's First Female President.

In Mexico's 200-year history, Claudia Sheinbaum became the first female president after winning the election.

According to early results released by Mexico's official electoral office, the 61-year-old former mayor of Mexico City received between 58% and 60% of the vote on Sunday.

This puts her ahead of businesswoman Xóchitl Gálvez by almost thirty percentage points. On October 1, Ms. Sheinbaum will succeed her mentor, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who is leaving office.

The former energy scientist, Ms. Sheinbaum, has pledged to maintain the status quo and to carry out Mr. López Obrador's "advances" further. In addition, she promised to carry forward the departing president's divisive "hugs not bullets" approach to combating crime at its source.

Galvez had declared that "hugs for criminals are over" and promised a more severe response to violence stemming from cartels.

Since the government sent the army to combat drug trafficking in 2006, more than 450,000 people have been murdered and tens of thousands have vanished from sight.

She also emphasized the differences between this Mexican election and others in her victory speech. She said to applause: "For the first time in the 200 years of the [Mexican] Republic, I will become the first woman president of Mexico."

But, she said, it was an achievement not just for her but for all women. "I've said it from the start, this is not just about me getting [to the top office], it's about all of us getting here."

"I won't fail you," she said. Additionally, Ms. Sheinbaum thanked Xóchitl Gálvez, her opponent, who had admitted defeat.

Ms. Sheinbaum held one of the most significant political posts in the nation as mayor of Mexico City before declaring her candidature for president.