Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Wednesday that she filed a criminal complaint against a man who groped and attempted to kiss her while she was greeting the public. The incident occurred during her walk from the National Palace to the Ministry of Education.
A video of the event circulated widely online before some accounts removed it. The footage shows a middle-aged man putting his arm around Sheinbaum, touching her chest, and trying to kiss her. Sheinbaum pushed his hands away and a staff member intervened.
"If this happens to the president, what will happen to all the young women in our country," Sheinbaum said, describing the man as "very drunk."
As the first female leader of Mexico, Sheinbaum noted that many women in the country face similar abuse. This incident highlights the ongoing issues of insecurity, machismo, and gender-based violence in Mexico.
Sheinbaum, like her predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador, travels with minimal security and openly interacts with the public. Despite recent events, she stated her commitment to maintaining this close connection with citizens:
"We have to be close to the people."
The viral video sparked discussions about the safety of women and the president’s security arrangements, emphasizing the broader challenges in protecting women in Mexican society.
Author's summary: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned an assault against her, emphasizing ongoing security and gender violence issues while affirming her commitment to public engagement.