Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that she has lodged a criminal complaint against an individual who touched her inappropriately and attempted to kiss her while she was engaging with the public. She emphasized that the incident was a crime and highlighted the prevalence of such behavior towards women in Mexico. She expressed concern about the safety of women in the country, questioning the repercussions faced by the general female population if such actions can occur to a president. The incident, captured on video and later removed from certain platforms, shed light on the challenges women confront in a society marked by machismo and gender-based violence.
The incident raised queries regarding Sheinbaum’s security arrangements. Similar to her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Sheinbaum opts for minimal security and maintains close interaction with the public, including immersing herself in crowds. Despite the incident, she stated her intention to maintain this approach, emphasizing the importance of staying connected with the citizens.
The video footage captured the man, who appeared intoxicated, encroaching on Sheinbaum, touching her inappropriately, and attempting to kiss her. She promptly pushed him away, with one of her staff members intervening. Notably, her security detail was not in close proximity during the incident. The Mayor of Mexico City, Clara Brugada, confirmed the man’s subsequent arrest.
Sheinbaum criticized the Mexican newspaper Reforma for publishing images of the incident, considering it a violation and a form of re-victimization. She labeled the use of such images as a criminal act and demanded an apology from the newspaper. The federal Women’s Ministry, established under Sheinbaum’s leadership, urged women to report violence while urging media outlets not to circulate content that compromises women’s dignity.
Despite these efforts, feminist activists have criticized Sheinbaum for purportedly not doing enough to combat violence against women, citing inadequate investigations and prosecutions of femicides. Mexico reported 821 femicides in 2024, with 501 recorded up to September of the current year, though advocates believe the actual numbers may be higher. Ana Yeli Perez from the National Citizen Observatory on Femicide emphasized that the incident involving Sheinbaum highlighted the ongoing issue of violence against women in Mexico.
The incident coincided with Sheinbaum meeting the widow of a mayor from Michoacán state who was publicly assassinated. Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, was fatally shot during a festival, triggering national outrage and sporadic protests. The mayor had been vocal in criticizing the government’s efforts against organized crime in the region. Grecia Quiroz, Manzo’s widow, agreed to succeed her late husband and was expected to be sworn in as mayor. She vowed to continue the fight against those responsible for her husband’s death.
The Independent Hat Movement leader, Carlos Bautista, revealed that the new mayor would be safeguarded by a team of at least 14 security personnel. Authorities have arrested two individuals in connection with the assassination and pledged to pursue further investigations.