Mexico President Sheinbaum files charges after street groping incident

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the country’s first female leader, has filed a formal complaint and called for sexual harassment to be recognized as a criminal offense nationwide after being groped by a drunk man while greeting supporters near the presidential palace in Mexico City. The incident, which was caught on camera, has drawn widespread attention to women’s safety in Mexico and reignited conversations around harassment laws and gender-based violence.

According to Sheinbaum, the incident occurred when she and her team decided to walk from the National Palace to the Education Ministry, a five-minute route that would save time compared to a 20-minute car ride. During the walk, a drunk man put his arm around her shoulder and, with his other hand, touched her hip and chest while attempting to kiss her neck. The president quickly removed his hands, and one of her staff members intervened before the situation could escalate further. Her security detail was not nearby at the time of the attack. The man was later arrested by authorities.

Speaking at her morning news conference, Sheinbaum explained her decision to press charges, saying, “If I don’t file a complaint, what becomes of other Mexican women? If this happens to the president, what will happen to all the women in our country?” Her statement struck a chord nationwide, emphasizing the need for leadership by example in confronting harassment and gender-based violence.

In a social media post, Sheinbaum described the assault as “something that many women experience in the country and in the world,” reiterating that no one—regardless of their position—should have their body or personal space violated. She confirmed that she had filed a complaint and vowed to review national and state legislation to ensure sexual harassment becomes punishable in all 32 Mexican states.

Currently, Mexico’s 32 states and Mexico City—which has a separate criminal code—do not all treat sexual harassment as a criminal offense. Sheinbaum stated that her administration would launch a national campaign to address this issue, calling on state governments to reform their laws and make it easier for women to report harassment and assault. She also urged for a “loud and clear no” from Mexican society, asserting that women’s personal space and dignity must be respected at all times.

The president acknowledged that she had faced similar attacks in her youth, highlighting how pervasive and normalized such experiences are for women in Mexico. Her call for reform aligns with alarming statistics: according to the United Nations, around 70 percent of Mexican women aged 15 and older have faced at least one instance of sexual harassment in their lives. Additionally, an average of 10 women are murdered every day in Mexico, reflecting a femicide crisis that has drawn condemnation from rights groups and international organizations.

The incident also sparked criticism of Sheinbaum’s security arrangements, with some questioning why her guards were not present at the moment of the attack. However, Sheinbaum dismissed suggestions that she should increase her personal security or limit her public interactions. She stressed that she values direct contact with citizens and would not let fear or a single incident change that.

At her public rallies—including events held in September marking her first year in office—Sheinbaum often allows supporters to embrace her and take selfies, symbolizing her accessible and people-centered leadership style. Despite the recent assault, she remains firm in maintaining this approach, focusing instead on ensuring that legal and social systems better protect women across Mexico.

In sum, the incident has become a turning point in Mexico’s ongoing struggle with gender-based violence and harassment, with President Sheinbaum using her personal experience to amplify calls for justice and reform. Her actions and advocacy underscore a broader message: that no woman, not even the president, should have to endure such violations—and that Mexico must strengthen its laws and culture to protect women’s rights and safety nationwide.