"An Attack on All Women": Mexican President Sexually Assaulted in Broad Daylight on the Street

"This is a common experience for Mexican women, I will file a complaint"
Some raise questions about the presidential security system

Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's first female head of state in its 200-year constitutional history, was sexually assaulted by an intoxicated man on the street. On November 6, The Yonhap News Agency, citing the Associated Press and others, reported that President Sheinbaum was sexually assaulted by a drunk man near the Mexico City government building the previous day. At a regular press conference, President Sheinbaum stated, "On the 5th, as I was walking from the presidential palace to the Ministry of Education building, I sensed someone approaching me and realized he was completely intoxicated," adding, "He committed a crime against me, and for the sake of everyone, I have filed a complaint against this man."

Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's first female head of state in its 200-year history of constitutional government. Photo by AFP The Yonhap News Agency

Earlier, the Mexican president was sexually assaulted the previous afternoon while walking with her staff from the presidential palace in Mexico City to the Federal Ministry of Education building. She had briefly stopped to greet citizens. A video recorded at the time of the incident was shared on local social networking services (SNS), showing a man approaching from behind President Sheinbaum, reaching out to place his mouth on the back of her neck, and seemingly touching her upper body with his hand. In the footage, a man presumed to be a security officer is seen urgently restraining the assailant, while President Sheinbaum, maintaining a smile but appearing somewhat startled, turns to check the man's face. President Sheinbaum can also be heard telling those around her not to worry.

Regarding the incident, President Sheinbaum stated, "This is something I experienced as a Mexican woman, and even before becoming president, when I was a student, I went through similar situations," adding, "If I do not file a complaint, what message does that send to all Mexican women?" In response to the incident, Clara Brugada, Mayor of Mexico City, issued a statement saying, "Right after her election, the president emphasized that all women had 'arrived,' meaning that together with those who dream of a country where the word 'woman' is not synonymous with 'fear,' we have reached a certain level of gender equality and women's rights." She stressed, "This is a promise not to tolerate misogyny hidden within social practices."

A video recorded at the time of the incident was shared on local social networking services (SNS), showing a man approaching behind President Shane Baum, reaching out his hand to place his mouth on the back of the president's neck and seemingly touching the upper body of the president with his hand. YouTube channel 'Guardian News'

Mayor Brugada added, "To lay a hand on one person is to lay a hand on everyone," and stated, "The suspect in the sexual assault has already been arrested and will be dealt with according to the procedures set by law." Local media have raised questions about the presidential security system, while also analyzing that this incident could strengthen calls from residents for tougher public security policies. Meanwhile, in Mexico, following the recent murder of a sitting mayor who had been urging the federal government to take stronger action against cartels involved in crimes such as drug trafficking, contract killings, and extortion, protests criticizing the president and police have continued, particularly among citizens in Michoacan state.