The recent incident involving the apparent sexual assault on Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has highlighted the pervasive issue of gender violence in the country, according to experts. Sheinbaum confirmed that she had filed a criminal complaint against the man responsible, identified as Uriel Rivera Martinez, 33, who was captured on video groping and attempting to kiss her as she was walking from the National Palace to the Ministry of Education. In Canada, such actions would typically be investigated as sexual assault due to the unwanted sexual touching involved.
Despite garnering international attention, the incident received limited coverage domestically, with the focus mainly on the security failure that allowed the man to approach the president. This occurrence occurred shortly after the high-profile assassination of Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Michoacán, further emphasizing the normalization of gender violence in Mexico.
Amneris Chaparro Martínez, a director and researcher at the Centre for Research and Gender Studies at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, highlighted the concerning attitude towards gender-related issues in the country. During a press conference, Sheinbaum and the Secretary for Women, Minerva Citlalli Hernández Mora, revealed that there are over 25,000 ongoing investigations into sexual violence against women. They also announced plans to enhance the institutional response to such violence on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25.
Chaparro Martínez expressed her dismay at witnessing the incident, emphasizing that even the president was not immune to harassment in public spaces due to her gender. She stressed the need to address why men continue to harass women and debunked excuses such as intoxication. Estefania Vela Barba, the executive director of Intersecta, a feminist human rights organization in Mexico City, pointed out how the incident against Sheinbaum was intertwined with political polarization in the country, with some questioning its authenticity amidst a political crisis.
Both experts commended Sheinbaum for her swift response to the incident, highlighting the importance of bringing visibility to the issue and seeking accountability through the justice system. Vela Barba praised Sheinbaum for addressing the incident directly and condemning it, providing hope and empowerment in the fight against gender violence.