Mexico’s President Files Complaint After Being Assaulted
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Wednesday that she has filed a criminal complaint against a man who groped and attempted to kiss her while she was greeting the public. The incident, captured in a viral video, has drawn significant attention.
Incident Details and Public Reaction
Sheinbaum, the first female leader of Mexico, described the attack as a crime and noted that many women in Mexico face similar harassment. She said,
“If this happens to the president, what will happen to all the young women in our country?”
The man involved appeared to be very intoxicated. The video circulated widely online before some accounts removed it, highlighting ongoing concerns about women's safety in Mexico, a country struggling with machismo culture and gender-based violence.
Security Concerns and Response
The incident also raised questions about Sheinbaum’s security. Like her predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador, she maintains minimal security and regularly engages closely with the public. She insisted she will continue this approach, stating,
“We have to be close to the people.”
Context of the Assault
The attack occurred while Sheinbaum walked from Mexico's National Palace to the Ministry of Education. The video shows a middle-aged man putting his arm around her, touching her chest, and trying to kiss her before she moved his hands away and a staff member intervened.
Author’s summary: President Sheinbaum’s assault underscores the pervasive issue of gender-based violence in Mexico and her commitment to remain accessible despite security risks.