CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM is set to be sworn in as Mexico’s first female president today after more than 200 years of independence.

She romped to victory in June with nearly 60 per cent of the vote, propelled by the sustained popularity of her political mentor and predecessor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, widely known as Amlo.

He took office six years ago, declaring that he would rule “for the good of all, first the poor,” and promising a historic shift away from the neoliberal economic policies of past presidents. 

Ms Sheinbaum pledged that there would be continuity, including Amlo’s popular social policies and constitutional reforms to the judiciary and National Guard.

Her first trip as president will be to the flood-stricken Pacific coast resort of Acapulco.

Hurricane John, which struck as a category three hurricane last week and then re-emerged into the ocean and struck again as a tropical storm, caused four days of extremely heavy rain that killed at least 17 people along the coast around Acapulco. 

The city was devastated by Hurricane Otis in October last year and had not recovered when John hit.

Ms Sheinbaum must also decide how best to manage relations with the neighbouring United States.

Amlo was recently forced to put already tense relations with the US embassy “on pause” after it publicly interfered in Mexico’s judicial overhaul.