Mexico's President Files Complaint After Harassment Incident
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Wednesday that she filed a criminal complaint against a man who groped and attempted to kiss her while she was greeting the public. The incident was captured on video and went viral shortly before some accounts removed it.
President Sheinbaum's Statement
Sheinbaum, the first female leader of Mexico, condemned the act as a crime and expressed concern about the broader safety of women in the country. She stated,
"If this happens to the president, what will happen to all the young women in our country?"
She mentioned that the man involved appeared very intoxicated and noted that women across Mexico often face similar harassment.
Public Reaction and Security Concerns
The video highlighted the ongoing issue of insecurity and gender-based violence in Mexico, a nation with deep-rooted machismo culture. It also triggered questions about the president's security measures.
Like her predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Sheinbaum travels with minimal security and frequently interacts closely with the public, even walking through crowds. Despite the incident, she stated,
"We have to be close to the people."
Sheinbaum was walking from Mexico’s National Palace to the Ministry of Education when the harassment occurred. The footage shows a middle-aged man putting his arm around her, touching her chest, and attempting to kiss her before she pushed him away and a staff member intervened.
Context of Women's Safety in Mexico
- The incident underscores the persistent risks women face due to machismo and violence.
- Sheinbaum’s accessibility to the public is a continuation of the approach taken by her predecessor.
Author’s summary: President Claudia Sheinbaum has reported a harassment incident that exposes ongoing challenges of gender violence in Mexico while maintaining her commitment to close public engagement.