Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum was sexually harassed on the street by an intoxicated man.
At a regular news conference on the 5th (local time), President Sheinbaum said, "Yesterday (the 4th), while I was walking from the presidential palace to the Education Ministry building, I felt someone coming close to me and sensed that the person was completely drunk," adding, "He committed a crime against me, and for all women I have filed a complaint against the man."
The day before, in the afternoon, President Sheinbaum, who was walking with aides from the Mexico presidential palace in Mexico City to the Federal Education Ministry building, briefly stopped to greet citizens and was sexually harassed.
A video recorded at the time of the incident was shared on local social media. The footage shows a man approaching President Sheinbaum from behind, bringing his mouth to the back of the president's neck and appearing to touch the upper part of the president's body with his hand.
An official standing next to them pushed him away with a hand, but he again pulled the president's shoulder. President Sheinbaum maintained composure with a smile even during about five seconds of contact. The president told those around her, "Don't worry," the Associated Press reported.
President Sheinbaum is an energy engineering specialist and Mexico's first female president in 200 years of constitutional history. She said, "This is something I experienced as a Mexican woman, and I experienced this even when I was a student before being elected president," adding, "If I don't file a complaint, what position would all Mexican women be in?"
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada, who is also a woman, said in a statement, "Touching one is touching all," adding, "The suspect in the sexual harassment has already been arrested and will be dealt with according to the procedures set by law."
Local media questioned the presidential security system, while also analyzing that the incident could amplify calls from residents demanding the adoption of a tougher public safety policy.