Mexico's President Sheinbaum Calls for Stronger Sexual Harassment Laws
President Claudia Sheinbaum was assaulted while greeting supporters near the presidential palace in Mexico City on Tuesday. A drunken man approached her, groped her, and tried to kiss her neck, highlighting the ongoing challenges to women's safety in Mexico.
Sheinbaum, 63, faced the unexpected attack as she walked to a public event. The man put his arm around her shoulder and touched her hip and chest before a presidential security guard intervened and removed him.
"This person approached, completely intoxicated (...) it wasn't until I saw the videos later that I realized what had really happened," Sheinbaum stated on Wednesday.
The man was arrested and charged with "harassment," a crime recognized in Mexico City and around 20 other states. Following the incident, Sheinbaum urged for sexual harassment to be criminalized nationwide.
As Mexico's first woman president, Sheinbaum initially appeared confused by the episode, even consenting to take a photo with the man during the incident caught on camera.
Impact and Response
- The attack exposed the vulnerability women face in public spaces across Latin America.
- Sheinbaum’s call for tougher laws emphasizes the need for uniform legal protection against sexual harassment throughout Mexico.
- The incident stirred national attention, highlighting gaps in women's safety enforcement.
Author's summary: The attack on President Sheinbaum reveals persistent threats to women's safety in Mexico, prompting her to demand stronger national laws against sexual harassment.