The incident occurred as President Sheinbaum was walking to an event near the presidential palace, stopping to shake hands and take photos with members of the public
A man has been arrested after allegedly groping and attempting to kiss Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum while she was greeting supporters in the capital city on Tuesday.
The incident occurred as President Sheinbaum was walking to an event near the presidential palace, stopping to shake hands and take photos with members of the public.
Social media videos of the encounter show a man approaching the President, putting an arm around her shoulder, and then attempting to kiss her neck while touching her hip and chest with his other hand.
A member of the presidential security quickly intervened, pulling the man away. The man reportedly appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time. Despite the unwelcome contact, President Sheinbaum was seen treating the man calmly, even agreeing to take a picture with him and patting him on the back before security authorities confirmed his subsequent arrest.
Women’s ministry condemns ‘macho attitudes’
The incident drew immediate condemnation from the head of Mexico’s Ministry of Women, a department established by Sheinbaum herself.
Minister Citlali Hernandez posted on X (formerly Twitter): “We condemn the act that our president experienced today,” and took the opportunity to criticize what she called persistent “macho attitudes” that normalise unwelcome intrusions on women’s bodies and personal space.
The incident laid bare a problem Mexico has struggled with for years.
According to data from UN Women, approximately 70% of Mexican women aged 15 and over experience at least one incident of sexual harassment in their lifetimes.
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