Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Wednesday that she had lodged a legal complaint against an individual who had inappropriately touched and attempted to kiss her while she was interacting with the public. The incident, captured in a viral video, was described by Sheinbaum during her regular morning press briefing as a criminal act, emphasizing that such experiences are not uncommon for women in Mexico.
Expressing concern over the safety of women in the country, Sheinbaum highlighted the man’s intoxicated state during the incident. The video quickly circulated online before being removed by some platforms, shedding light on the prevalent issue of gender-based violence and insecurity faced by women in Mexico, a nation deeply entrenched in machismo culture.
Questions have arisen 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, including mingling with crowds without extensive protection. Despite the incident, Sheinbaum affirmed her commitment to maintaining close contact with the people.
The Mexican capital’s Mayor, Clara Brugada, confirmed the arrest of the man involved in the incident. Sheinbaum was accosted while walking from Mexico’s National Palace to the Ministry of Education, with the video showing the man touching her inappropriately before being intercepted by a member of her team. Notably, Sheinbaum’s security detail was not in close proximity during the encounter.
Sheinbaum also criticized Mexican newspaper Reforma for publishing images of the incident, considering it a form of re-victimization and a breach of ethics. She demanded an apology from the newspaper, emphasizing that the use of such images constitutes a violation.
Under Sheinbaum’s leadership, the federal government’s Women’s Ministry has encouraged women to report instances of violence while urging media outlets to refrain from disseminating content that compromises women’s integrity. However, feminist activists have previously criticized Sheinbaum for inadequate efforts in addressing violence against women, citing lackluster investigations and prosecutions of femicides.
In 2024, Mexico recorded 821 femicides, with 501 cases reported by September of the current year, though many believe the actual figures to be higher. Ana Yeli Perez of the National Citizen Observatory on Femicide emphasized that the incident involving Sheinbaum underscores the pervasive issue of violence against women in Mexico.
The unsettling incident coincided with Sheinbaum’s meeting with the widow of a mayor from Michoacán state who was publicly assassinated. Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, was fatally shot during a public event, sparking national outrage and sporadic protests. The widow, Grecia Quiroz, has agreed to assume her late husband’s role and was scheduled to be sworn in on Wednesday.
In response to the assassination, Carlos Bautista, leader of the Independent Hat Movement to which Manzo belonged, mentioned that the new mayor would be safeguarded by a team of at least 14 security personnel. Authorities have apprehended two individuals in connection with Manzo’s murder and have committed to ongoing investigations.