Mexican president-elect announces first 6 Cabinet members

By Jorge Antonio Rocha

MEXICO CITY (AA) - Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum announced the first six members of her Cabinet on Thursday.

The announcement was made at a news conference for those who will take office Oct. 1, marking the next generation of the political project known as the Fourth Transformation in Mexico that was started by outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador after he was elected in 2018.

Sheinbaum announced who would make up "the second floor of the transformation" -- a promise of continuity with the current government, garnering allies from her time as mayor of Mexico City and top government officials.

The new team includes high-ranking officials close to Lopez Obrador, such as Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena, who will head the environment and natural resources department.

Former Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, who left office last June to run for president of the ruling Morena party, and lost to Sheinbaum, will become secretary of the economy.

Ebrard stirred controversy last year after denouncing alleged fraud in the ruling party's internal process for selecting a candidate for the 2024 elections. He later upheld Sheinbaum's candidacy, however, and supported her campaign.

Another relevant announcement was Ernestina Godoy's appointment as general counsel. Godoy served as prosecutor in Mexico City during Sheinbaum's tenure in office.

Academic Julio Berdegue Sacristan will head agriculture and rural development. Sacristan has been a vocal opponent of genetically-modified corn, a battle the current president is waging against US importers, which has caused friction with trade deals in North America.

The president-elect's transition team coordinator and former Rector of the Autonomous University of Mexico, Juan Ramon de la Fuente, will become foreign minister.

Sheinbaum also announced that the National Council of Science and Technology, the public body in charge of promoting scientific and technological development, will become a part of the Cabinet, headed by Rosaura Ruiz Gutierrez.

"As you can see, they are first-class women and men. I feel very honored that they have accepted to be part of the second floor of the Fourth Transformation. Next Thursday, we will present another six people as part of our Cabinet," said Sheinbaum.