MEXICO- Mexico’s first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has called for sexual harassment to be made a criminal offense across all 32 federal districts, after a man groped and attempted to kiss her during a public walk in Mexico City.
The incident, captured in viral videos on social media, took place Tuesday near the presidential palace as President Sheinbaum greeted supporters.
In the footage, a man approaches her from behind, puts an arm around her shoulder, touches her hip and chest, and attempts to kiss her neck.
A member of the presidential security detail quickly intervened, pulling the man away. Authorities later confirmed that he had been arrested and appeared to be intoxicated at the time.
Speaking during her morning press conference on Wednesday, Sheinbaum said she decided to file a police complaint after learning that the same man had continued to harass other women following the incident.
“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?” she said.
Pushing for Legal Reform
President Sheinbaum emphasized that her government would review whether all Mexican states include sexual harassment as a punishable offense in their criminal codes — noting that not all currently do.
“This behavior should be a criminal offense everywhere, and we’re going to launch a national campaign to address it,” she declared.
She also revealed that she had experienced similar harassment in her youth, describing the issue as one that cuts across generations and social classes.
The complaint against the man was filed with the Mexico City prosecutor’s office, where sexual harassment is already prosecutable under local law.
A Call to Confront “Macho Culture”
Despite the assault, President Sheinbaum remained composed during the encounter — even agreeing to take a photo with the man before realizing the extent of his actions through video footage.
“This person approached me completely drunk; I don’t know if he was on drugs,” she said. “It wasn’t until I saw the videos that I realized what had really happened.”
The incident has since sparked a broader public debate over macho attitudes and the normalization of sexual harassment in Mexico.
Many citizens and advocacy groups have criticized the president’s security detail, arguing that the event highlights how unsafe public spaces remain for women — even those in the highest office.
According to UN Women, nearly 70% of Mexican women aged 15 and above have experienced at least one incident of sexual harassment in their lifetime — a statistic that underscores the urgency of Sheinbaum’s call for nationwide legal action.
As Mexico continues to grapple with gender-based violence, Sheinbaum’s move could set a powerful precedent — one that redefines how the country confronts harassment and protects women’s dignity in both public and private spaces.
