Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Wednesday that she had lodged a criminal complaint against a man who groped and attempted to kiss her while she interacted with the public. The incident, captured in a viral video, was condemned by Sheinbaum during her routine morning press briefing as a criminal act, highlighting the common experiences of women in Mexico facing similar situations.
Sheinbaum expressed concern about the safety of women in the country, emphasizing the repercussions of such incidents. The video circulated rapidly online before being removed from certain platforms, shedding light on the challenges women encounter in a society entrenched in machismo and gender-based violence.
Questions arose regarding Sheinbaum’s security arrangements following the incident. Similar to her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Sheinbaum maintains minimal security measures and actively engages with the public, even mingling with crowds of people.
The altercation occurred as Sheinbaum was walking from Mexico’s National Palace to the Ministry of Education. The footage reveals a man, putting his arm around Sheinbaum, making inappropriate physical contact, and trying to kiss her. Sheinbaum swiftly intervened by pushing his hands away before a member of her team intervened. Notably, the president’s security personnel were not in close proximity at the time.
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada confirmed that the man involved had been apprehended following the incident.
Sheinbaum also criticized Mexican newspaper Reforma for publishing images of the incident, labeling it as a form of “re-victimization” and an ethical transgression. She demanded an apology from the publication, asserting that the use of such images constitutes a violation.
The federal government’s Women’s Ministry, established under Sheinbaum’s administration, issued a statement encouraging women to report instances of violence against them. It also urged media outlets to refrain from disseminating content that undermines women’s dignity.
Despite these efforts, feminist groups have previously criticized Sheinbaum for inadequate responses to gender-based violence, citing deficient investigations and prosecutions of femicides. In 2024, Mexico documented 821 femicides, with 501 recorded up to September of the current year, though activists believe the actual figures are significantly higher.
Ana Yeli Perez of the National Citizen Observatory on Femicide emphasized that the incident involving Sheinbaum rekindles national discussions on violence against women, highlighting the pervasive nature of such acts.
The incident coincided with Sheinbaum meeting the widow of a mayor from Michoacán state who was publicly assassinated. Carlos Manzo, mayor of Uruapan, was fatally shot during a public event, prompting widespread condemnation and sporadic protests. Manzo had been vocal in criticizing the government’s approach to combating organized crime in the region.
Grecia Quiroz, Manzo’s widow, announced her intention to succeed her late husband in office and was scheduled for inauguration on Wednesday, vowing to continue the fight against criminal elements. Authorities have arrested two individuals in connection with Manzo’s assassination and pledged to pursue further investigations into the matter.