In Mexico City this week, President Claudia Sheinbaum filed a formal complaint after being groped while walking with supporters near the National Palace — an incident that she says underscores the everyday harassment faced by women across the country.
The episode occurred on Tuesday when a visibly intoxicated man approached the president, placed an arm around her shoulder, touched her hip and chest, and attempted to kiss her neck as she greeted passers-by. The moment was caught on video and quickly went viral.
Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday that the man had been arrested and that she had pressed charges, emphasising: “If this happens to the president, what will happen to women across our country?”
In a morning press conference she said the walk from the National Palace to the Education Ministry took five minutes and had been chosen to save time instead of driving. It was during this short stroll that she was accosted. However, she said the incident would not change how she interacts with citizens.
Sheinbaum used the moment to call for a nationwide review of sexual-harassment laws: only about half of Mexico’s 32 states currently treat such behaviour as a crime. She urged all states to criminalise unwanted touching and improper advances and to strengthen reporting procedures for women.
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The attack also triggered criticism of the president’s security detail, as footage showed little immediate protection in the moment of the assault. Still, she defended her proximity to the public, saying it was important for her to remain accessible.
The incident has reignited conversation around gender-based violence in Mexico, where data suggests a large share of women experience harassment and assault, and where femicide remains a crisis. By making her own experience public, Sheinbaum seeks to turn a personal violation into a political moment of reform and accountability.