Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced she will press charges after being sexually assaulted during a public event in Mexico City.
A man approached her from behind near the Palacio Nacional, attempting to kiss her neck and touch her inappropriately before security detained him.
“If I don’t file a complaint, what will happen to other Mexican women? If they do this to the president, what will happen to all women in our country?” Sheinbaum said at a press conference.
She revealed she had faced harassment before, both as a student and before becoming president. The suspect is also accused of harassing other women at the event.
The attack has sparked criticism of Mexico’s deeply rooted machismo culture, where gender-based violence remains a severe problem. Around 98% of femicides go unpunished, despite Sheinbaum’s campaign promises to reduce violence against women.
Sheinbaum continues to engage closely with the public, following the style of her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, despite security risks. The assault comes just days after the murder of Carlos Manzo, mayor of Uruapan in Michoacán, highlighting ongoing threats to politicians amid rising cartel violence.
Since taking office, Sheinbaum has focused on improving security and tackling fentanyl trafficking, a shared concern with U.S. President Trump. The incident has intensified calls for urgent action to protect women and political figures in Mexico.