Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Wednesday that she had lodged a legal complaint against a man who inappropriately touched and tried to kiss her while she interacted with the public. The incident, captured in a viral video, was deemed a criminal act by Sheinbaum during her routine morning press briefing. She emphasized that experiences like this are not uncommon for women in Mexico and expressed concern for the safety of all women in the country.
The footage of the incident circulated widely on the internet before some accounts removed it, highlighting the prevalent challenges women face in Mexico due to machismo culture and gender-based violence. The event has also prompted scrutiny of Sheinbaum’s security arrangements. Similar to her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Sheinbaum prefers minimal security measures and aims to engage closely with the public, including mingling in crowds.
Despite the incident, Sheinbaum indicated that she intends to maintain her accessible approach, stating that it is vital to remain connected with the people. The altercation occurred as Sheinbaum was walking from Mexico’s National Palace to the Ministry of Education, where a man approached her, touched her inappropriately, and attempted to kiss her. She managed to push him away before a member of her staff intervened. Notably, her security detail was not in close proximity at the time.
Overnight, Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada confirmed the arrest of the individual involved in the incident. Sheinbaum also criticized Mexican newspaper Reforma for publishing images of the assault, considering it a form of re-victimization and a violation of ethical boundaries. She demanded an apology from the newspaper, emphasizing that the use of such images constitutes a crime.
The Women’s Ministry, established under Sheinbaum’s leadership, issued a statement urging women to report instances of violence against them while urging media outlets to refrain from sharing content that compromises women’s dignity. Despite these efforts, feminist activists have previously criticized Sheinbaum for her perceived insufficient actions to combat violence against women, particularly citing inadequate investigations and prosecutions of femicides.
In 2024, Mexico documented 821 femicides, with 501 reported by September of the following year; however, many advocates believe the actual numbers are significantly higher. Ana Yeli Perez from the National Citizen Observatory on Femicide emphasized that the incident involving Sheinbaum reignites the national conversation on violence against women.
The incident coincided with Sheinbaum meeting the widow of a mayor from Michoacán state who was publicly assassinated. The mayor, Carlos Manzo, was fatally shot during a public event, sparking nationwide outrage and sporadic protests. Grecia Quiroz, Manzo’s widow, has accepted the role of mayor following her husband’s tragic death and was scheduled to be sworn in on Wednesday.
Carlos Bautista, leader of the Independent Hat Movement to which Manzo belonged, confirmed that the new mayor will receive heightened security with at least 14 security agents. Two individuals have been apprehended in connection with Manzo’s assassination, with authorities committing to ongoing investigations into the incident.