On Tuesday, President Claudia Sheinbaum was attacked while greeting supporters near the presidential palace in Mexico City. A drunken man approached her, put his arm around her shoulder, and inappropriately touched her hip and chest while trying to kiss her neck.
The incident, caught on camera, highlighted the serious issue of women's safety in Mexico. Sheinbaum, the country's first female president, initially seemed confused by the event and even agreed to take a photo with the assailant.
"This person approached, completely intoxicated (...) it wasn't until I saw the videos later that I realized what had really happened," Sheinbaum said on Wednesday, November 5.
The man was arrested and charged with sexual harassment, a crime recognized in Mexico City and about 20 other states. Following the attack, President Sheinbaum called for sexual harassment to be criminalized nationwide, emphasizing the urgent need to protect women across the country.
Author's summary: President Sheinbaum’s assault while greeting supporters has intensified calls for uniform sexual harassment laws across Mexico to enhance women's safety nationwide.