Mexico’s President Sheinbaum Sues Following Groping Incident

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has initiated legal proceedings following a groping incident that occurred on Tuesday. She described the attack as “an assault on all women,” emphasizing the need for action against such behavior.

Incident Details

The incident transpired in the central neighborhood of Zócalo in Mexico City. Sheinbaum was greeting constituents when a man, reportedly intoxicated, pushed through the crowd and attempted to grope her. This encounter was captured in a viral video, which showed the man making inappropriate contact and trying to kiss her. The situation escalated until one of Sheinbaum’s aides, Juan José Ramírez Mendoza, stepped in to intervene.

Immediate Response

• The man involved has been arrested and is in custody at the Sex Crimes Investigation Unit.
• Preliminary police findings indicate he may be connected to two other harassment incidents on the same day.

Sheinbaum has expressed that her decision to sue comes from her personal experiences as a woman facing harassment. “No man has the right to violate that space,” she stated, reflecting on the broader cultural issues surrounding women’s safety.

Context and Consequences

This incident raises significant concerns about security for public officials in Mexico. It followed closely behind the assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo during a public event, highlighting the urgent need for effective protective measures. Unlike her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Sheinbaum chose to dissolve the Presidential Guard in 2018. Security specialists like Raúl Benítez-Manaut argue that this decision has resulted in insufficient protection for high-profile figures.

Government and Public Reaction

Sheinbaum defended her outreach strategy, stating, “We can’t stay far from the people.” Her administration’s Secretariat for Women has condemned the incident, emphasizing that proximity to the public should not excuse harassment.

• The Secretariat stated that these forms of violence against women must not be trivialized.
• It urged victims to report such incidents as a step toward justice and cultural change.

The occurrence has intensified conversations about the treatment of women in political roles. Data from the National Electoral Institute (INE) reveals 516 cases of violence against women in political positions reported between September 2020 and July 2025.

Broader Implications

Statistics from Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography highlight alarming trends: 70.1% of Mexican women aged 15 and older have experienced some form of violence, with nearly half reporting sexual violence. In light of this, Sheinbaum announced plans to collaborate with the Secretariat for Women to evaluate harassment laws across states and launch a national campaign against harassment.

“Harassment is a crime—it’s time everyone understands that,” she concluded, affirming her commitment to enhancing women’s rights and safety in Mexico.