A man groped and tried to kiss Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum during a public walk in Mexico City on Tuesday, according to a video circulating on social media.
It happened while Sheinbaum was greeting citizens in the historic city center. Video footage shows the man leaning toward her, placing his arm around her and attempting to kiss her on the neck while touching her body. Sheinbaum gently pushed him away and turned to face him, apparently saying “don’t worry” as one of her aides intervened.
State police arrested the man and transferred him to a unit that handles sexual offences.
Sheinbaum is known for her informal, personal style of leadership. She often mingles freely with citizens, stopping for selfies, handshakes, and brief exchanges to stay connected with ordinary Mexicans.
However, the episode highlighted the security risks Sheinbaum faces during public appearances, as her bodyguards were not immediately visible in the video and several seconds passed before anyone stepped in to stop the man.
The incident came just days after the murder of Uruapan city Mayor Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodriguez in the western state of Michoacan. The attacker shot the official seven times at point-blank range before being killed by security forces. In the months leading up to his death, the official had publicly pleaded with Sheinbaum for help confronting powerful criminal groups in his region.
Organized crime and drug trafficking have strained Mexico’s relations with its northern neighbor. Sheinbaum recently rejected US President Donald Trump’s offer to send troops to fight the cartels, saying her country welcomes cooperation but will not accept “subordination.” She emphasized that if Washington truly wants to help, it should stop the flow of American weapons that arm the criminal groups driving the violence.
Sheinbaum said in a post on X on Wednesday that she had filed a formal criminal complaint over the groping incident, explaining that she wanted to set an example for other women. She added that she will launch a national campaign against sexual harassment and review state laws to strengthen legal protections for women across the country.
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