Mexican President Groped in Public Calls for Nationwide Criminalization of Sexual Harassment

Sheinbaum is Mexico's first female president.

Mexico:

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has called for the nationwide criminalization of sexual harassment following an incident where she was groped and nearly kissed by a man on the street.

The disturbing encounter occurred on Tuesday as President Sheinbaum walked to an event near the presidential palace. While engaging with citizens, shaking hands and posing for photographs, a man approached her from behind unexpectedly.

Videos shared on social media platforms captured the moment when the individual placed his arm around her shoulder while simultaneously touching her hip and chest, and attempted to kiss her neck. The presidential security detail quickly intervened, removing the visibly intoxicated man from the president's vicinity.

During her Wednesday morning press conference, Sheinbaum, who made history as Mexico's first female president, explained her decision to file a police complaint after learning the man had continued to harass other women. Authorities subsequently confirmed the man's arrest.

"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 stated emphatically.

The president announced plans to review whether such behavior "is a criminal offence in all states, because it should be a criminal offence and we are going to launch a campaign." She also acknowledged experiencing similar harassment during her younger years.

Mexico's complex legal structure includes 32 federal districts, each with their own criminal code. Currently, not all districts have established criminal penalties for sexual harassment.

Despite the inappropriate encounter, Sheinbaum remained composed and professional, even agreeing to take a photograph with the man before patting him on the back.

"This person approached me completely drunk, I don't know if he was on drugs," she later explained. "It wasn't until I saw the videos that I realised what had really happened."

The complaint against the perpetrator was filed with Mexico City's prosecutor's office, where sexual harassment is legally punishable.

The incident has sparked criticism regarding the effectiveness of the president's security detail and has intensified discussions about machismo culture that normalizes unwanted intrusions on women's personal boundaries and bodily autonomy.

According to data from UN Women, approximately 70 percent of Mexican women aged 15 and older experience at least one incident of sexual harassment during their lifetime.