You will be shocked to hear that Mexico’s first female President, Claudia Sheinbaum, was groped by a man in the street on Tuesday night. This has raised serious questions about the president’s security. Reports indicate that the man attempted to kiss her in front of her. The president has filed a lawsuit against the man, calling this sensational incident an attack on women across the country.
President’s molestation raises security questions
This incident of President Claudia being groped by a drunk man in the street has raised serious questions about her security. It has also become a prime example of the everyday violence against women in Mexico. In a country where even a female president is not safe and is openly harassed on the street, one can imagine the plight of other women. Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada announced the arrest of the accused on Tuesday night.
Video Viral
In a video circulating on social media, the man appears to approach the president, attempt to kiss her, and touch her body with his hands. Sheinbaum gently removed his hands, turned with a stiff smile, and said, “Don’t worry.” But on Wednesday, she clarified that this wasn’t the first incident. “No man has the right to violate that space,” Sheinbaum said. She emphasized that this goes beyond her personal experience. “I experienced similar harassment even as a student, before I became president. I filed the lawsuit because this isn’t my personal pain, but a nationwide reality for all of us women.”
In a video that went viral on social media, the man is seen approaching the president, trying to kiss him, and touching his body with his hands. Sheinbaum gently removed his hands, turned with a stiff smile, and said, “Don’t worry.” But on Wednesday, she clearly stated that this wasn’t the first incident. “No man has the right to violate that space,” Sheinbaum said. She stressed that this problem goes beyond her personal experience. “I have faced such harassment even as a student, before I became president. I filed the lawsuit because this is not my personal pain, but a nationwide reality for all of us women.” The incident immediately sparked a debate on the president’s security arrangements.
The incident occurred while Shenbaum was walking from the National Palace to the Education Ministry to save time. She stated, “I will not change my behavior.” The accused has been arrested.
President Claudia expressed her displeasure over the incident, saying, “If this could happen to the President, what about other young women?” She added, “No man has the right to violate a woman’s personal boundaries.”
The President described this sensational incident as an attack on women across the country and filed a case against the accused. Police also took swift action and arrested the accused. It is reported that the accused was intoxicated at the time of the incident.
Who is Claudia Shenbaum?
Claudia, 63, is Mexico’s first female president. She has been in power since 2024. She is an energy and climate change scientist and academic.
Questions are now being raised across the country about women’s safety. Mexico’s record in this regard is also worrying. Sexual assault is common in the country, and rights groups are warning of a serious crisis.
The United Nations says that on average, 10 women are murdered in Mexico every day. Following the incident, Sheinbaum announced on Wednesday that the government will review nationwide laws regarding sexual assault as soon as possible. “My thinking is this: If I don’t file a complaint, what will happen to other Mexican women? If this happens to the president, what will happen to all the women in our country?”
“This should be a criminal offense, and we are going to launch a campaign to address it,” the president said. According to UN data, approximately 70 percent of Mexican women aged 15 and older experience sexual assault at least once in their lives.
