Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced that she will file charges against a man who groped her while she was walking in Mexico City. The incident occurred on Tuesday as Sheinbaum was returning to the National Palace after attending an event at the Ministry of Public Education. Video footage shows a man approaching her from behind, attempting to kiss her neck and touching her body. A security guard intervened, pulling the man away as Sheinbaum confronted him.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Sheinbaum expressed her determination to take action against the man, stating, "I decided to file a complaint because this is something I experienced as a woman, and it’s something women in our country go through." She emphasized the importance of setting an example for other victims of harassment, saying, "If I don’t file a complaint — even though this is a crime — then what position does that leave all Mexican women in?"

Sheinbaum also highlighted the need for changes in laws and procedures to make it easier for women to report such incidents. She stated, "We need to hear a loud and clear ‘no’ … women’s personal space must not be violated." According to her, the man was under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time of the incident and had also harassed other women in the area.

Andrea González Martínez, a 27-year-old employee at a Mexican financial institution, shared her experiences of harassment on public transport, stating, "It happens regularly, it happens on public transportation. It’s something you experience every day in Mexico." Her co-worker, Carmen Maldonado Castillo, 43, echoed this sentiment, saying, "It’s not good that men attack us. You can’t walk around free in the street."

Sheinbaum, who has been a vocal advocate for women's rights, reiterated that her election represented a victory for all women. Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada supported Sheinbaum's stance, stating, "If they attack the president, they attack us all." Brugada emphasized the need to confront misogyny and not tolerate any form of abuse.

The incident has raised concerns about Sheinbaum's security. However, she dismissed suggestions to increase her security measures or change her public interactions. She explained that she and her team chose to walk to the event to save time, stating, "We can’t be far from the people, that would be denying where we come from."

Sheinbaum's predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, had reduced the size of the presidential security detail, which had previously been an elite unit of the army. Sheinbaum confirmed that she would only consider enhancing her security if a credible threat was identified by her cabinet.

The incident has sparked discussions about the prevalence of harassment in Mexico, where statistics indicate that one in two women experiences some form of sexual aggression, and around 91% of sexual violence cases go unpunished. Sheinbaum's experience has brought renewed attention to the urgent need for reforms to protect women in the country.