Mexico's President Sheinbaum Calls for Tougher Sexual Harassment Laws After Attack
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was assaulted on Tuesday while greeting supporters near the presidential palace in Mexico City. A visibly intoxicated man approached her and groped her, drawing renewed attention to persistent issues of women’s safety across the country.
The 63-year-old leader was heading to a public event when the incident occurred. Witnesses stated that the man placed his arm around her shoulder, touched her hip and chest, and attempted to kiss her. Security personnel intervened and swiftly restrained him.
“This person approached, completely intoxicated (...) it wasn’t until I saw the videos later that I realized what had really happened,” Sheinbaum said Wednesday.
Following the attack, President Sheinbaum urged lawmakers to implement a national law criminalizing sexual harassment. Her administration confirmed that the suspect has been arrested and charged with harassment, a category recognized in Mexico City and around twenty other Mexican states.
Sheinbaum’s Call for Change
Sheinbaum emphasized that the assault highlights broader systemic dangers faced by women in Mexico. She called for unity and urgent legal reform to ensure that harassment is penalized at the federal level, not just regionally.
Author’s summary: After an assault during a public event, Claudia Sheinbaum urged national action to classify sexual harassment as a federal crime, reflecting Mexico’s ongoing struggle with women’s safety.