Claudia Sheinbaum to Take Legal Action Following Street Harassment Incident

Thu Nov 06 2025 03:23:55 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum announces her decision to press charges against a man who groped her during a public event, emphasizing the need to address sexual harassment in society.

In a public address, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum announced her intention to press charges against a man who groped her during a recent appearance in Mexico City. The incident highlights the pervasive issue of sexual harassment and machismo culture in Mexico, with Sheinbaum asserting the importance of legal action to protect women. The president's commitment to confront such behaviors comes in the wake of alarming gender-based violence statistics in the country.

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has said she will press charges against a man who groped her during a public appearance.

Mobile phone footage of the incident on Tuesday shows Sheinbaum speaking to a group of supporters on a street near the National Palace in Mexico City.

In the video, a man approaches her from behind and attempts to kiss her on the neck and place his hands on her body.

Sheinbaum moved away quickly, and a member of her team stepped in, but she was visibly shaken. The offender has been arrested.

My view is, if I don't file a complaint, what will happen to other Mexican women? If they do this to the president, what will happen to all women in our country? Sheinbaum said at a news conference on Wednesday.

I decided to press charges because this is something that I experienced as a woman, but that we as women experience in our country, she said. I have experienced it before, when I wasn't president, when I was a student.

She added that she decided to press ahead with charges against the suspect as he had allegedly harassed other women in the crowd.

A line must be drawn, she said.

Women's rights groups and feminist commentators have stated that the incident highlights the extent of ingrained machismo in Mexican society, where a man feels entitled to accost even the president simply because she is a woman.

Femicide is also a significant issue in Mexico, with a staggering 98% of gender-based murders estimated to go unpunished.

Sheinbaum promised to tackle this issue as a candidate, but so far in her administration, there has been little improvement in addressing this area of violent crime.

The incident has ignited discussions on presidential security and the broader safety of politicians. Sheinbaum has maintained a strategy of engaging with her supporters on the streets, similar to her predecessor's approach, despite potential security risks.

This incident unfolded just days after the murder of Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, at a local Day of the Dead celebration. Manzo had previously called for more substantial federal support in combating drug cartels.

Since taking office, Sheinbaum has made strides toward improving the country's dire security situation, particularly in addressing issues like fentanyl trafficking, an important concern for her US counterpart, President Trump.

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