Mexico’s President Sheinbaum to Press Charges After Assault

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced her intention to press charges following an incident in which a man groped her during a public event. The assault occurred on October 31, 2023, as Sheinbaum greeted supporters near the National Palace in Mexico City. Footage circulating on social media shows the assailant approaching from behind, attempting to kiss her neck and touching her inappropriately. Sheinbaum quickly stepped away and appeared visibly shaken as her security team intervened. The man was promptly arrested.

At a news conference the following day, Sheinbaum emphasized the broader implications of the incident. “If I don’t file a complaint, what will happen to other Mexican women?” she stated. “If they can do this to the president, what happens to the rest of us?” She highlighted that the suspect had allegedly harassed other women present at the event. The president stressed the need to draw “a line” against such behavior, sharing her personal experiences with harassment throughout her life, stating, “This is something I’ve experienced as a woman, as many women in our country have experienced.”

Women’s rights groups have condemned the incident, pointing to it as a manifestation of the deeply ingrained machismo culture in Mexico. Activists have raised concerns about the country’s high rates of gender-based violence, with estimates suggesting that 98% of femicides go unpunished. As Mexico’s first female president, Sheinbaum has pledged to address gender violence since taking office but faces criticism from advocacy groups regarding the pace of progress.

The assault has reignited discussions about presidential security. Sheinbaum has adopted a public style reminiscent of her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, frequently engaging with supporters at events despite potential risks. She affirmed her commitment to continue this practice, stating, “I will continue interacting with the people,” indicating that she does not plan to alter her public appearances.

This incident comes shortly after the murder of Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan in Michoacán, during local Day of the Dead festivities. Manzo had previously called on Sheinbaum for increased federal support in combatting drug cartels. The violence against politicians in Mexico remains alarming, with around 35 candidates killed during the 2024 general election, marking it as the deadliest campaign in modern Mexican history.

Since taking office, Sheinbaum has pledged to enhance public safety and strengthen efforts against fentanyl trafficking, a significant issue in relations with the United States. The recent assault has added urgency to her commitment to address both gender violence and broader security concerns in Mexico.