Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has filed a criminal complaint after a man groped her on the street during a public walk near the National Palace.
The incident took place on Tuesday, 4 November 2025, when President Sheinbaum stopped to greet supporters in central Mexico City.
Video recorded by bystanders shows a man approaching her from behind. He placed his hands on her hip and chest, attempted to kiss her neck, and pulled his arm around her shoulder.
Sheinbaum stepped away, and one of her senior aides, Juan José Ramírez Mendoza, moved between them.
Police later arrested the man, who authorities described as drunk. Mexico City officials say he is also suspected of harassing two other women that same day.
The man’s name has not been officially released. He is being held by the Sex Crimes Investigation Unit.
President Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday, 5 November that she has filed charges, stating that the incident must not be dismissed as minor.
Her explanation was direct:
“If this happens to the president, what will happen to all the women in our country?”
She said she chose to report the case because the man had allegedly harassed other women in the crowd:
“A line must be drawn.”
At her news conference, Sheinbaum called the act “an assault on all women” and said:
“No man has the right to violate that space.”
She announced that her government will:
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Review sexual harassment laws across all 32 states
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Work with the Secretariat for Women to improve reporting procedures
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Launch a national campaign against harassment
Not all Mexican states treat sexual harassment as a criminal offence, and Sheinbaum said this gap must be addressed.
In a social media post, she wrote:
“No one can violate our body and personal space.”
Women’s rights groups said the incident shows the persistence of machismo in Mexico, and noted that the attack happened despite Sheinbaum being the first woman to hold the presidency.
The Secretariat for Women condemned the assault, saying:
“No woman is exempt from sexual harassment in our country.” The agency urged victims to report abuse rather than minimise it.
The incident has renewed attention on gender-based violence in the country.
Figures cited this week include:
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70% of Mexican women aged 15 and older have experienced at least one incident of sexual harassment (INEGI survey).
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An estimated 10 women are murdered every day (UN data).
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98% of femicide cases remain unpunished, according to rights groups.
Between 2020 and July 2025, Mexico’s electoral authorities recorded 516 cases of violence against women in political roles.
