Mexico swore in new President Enrique Peña Nieto for a six-year term amid protests on December 1, in Mexico City, the country's capital. Some protesters smashed store windows and threw stones and firecrackers at police. The police responded with tear gas.

Peña, 46, is a member of Mexico's Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). His opponents are suspicious of the party. In the past, the PRI has been criticized for cheating and other wrongdoing. The President, who won 38% of the vote during the election in July, says that's changed. "I promise to uphold the constitution and its laws, and to carry out loyally and patriotically the job of President," he says. "If I don't, the people will demand it."

One of Peña's first acts in office, on December 2, was signing the Pact for Mexico. The agreement sets goals for making big changes to help Mexico grow its economy and create jobs. It will not be easy. While its economy is slowly growing, almost half of Mexico's 112 million people live in poverty.

Peña vowed to help pave the way to a brighter future. "I'm feeling a renewed sense of hope and optimism about what we can do in the coming years," he told TIME.

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