Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, announced plans to press charges against a man who groped her during a public appearance in Mexico City. The incident occurred near the National Palace, where Sheinbaum was engaging with supporters. Mobile footage captured the man approaching from behind and attempting to kiss her on the neck while touching her inappropriately. She quickly stepped away as her security team intervened, leaving her visibly shaken. The suspect has since been detained.
Sheinbaum stated that filing a complaint was crucial to set a precedent for the protection of all Mexican women, emphasizing that such harassment is widespread. She noted that similar assaults had occurred in her past, long before her presidency. Authorities allege the man had harassed other women in the crowd, prompting her decision to pursue legal action.
The attack has drawn attention to broader issues of gender-based violence in Mexico, where cultural norms and ingrained machismo contribute to the harassment of women, even at the highest levels of government. Advocates highlight that femicide remains a severe problem, with nearly all cases going unpunished.
Despite the incident, President Sheinbaum confirmed she would continue to engage directly with citizens during public events, following the approach of her predecessor. The attack also coincided with concerns over political security, coming shortly after the assassination of Carlos Manzo, a municipal mayor in Michoacan, highlighting ongoing violence against public officials in Mexico.
Since taking office, Sheinbaum has worked to improve security, including cracking down on drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, which has also been a focus of collaboration with the United States.
