Drunk Man Gropes Mexico's Leader in Broad Daylight
While delivering her First Government Report to the Congress of Mexico City, the Head of Government, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, highlighted 209 actions carried out to build a more just and egalitarian city, 2019. Photo courtesy of the Government of Mexcio City under CC BY 4.0.
A man allegedly groped Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as she mingled with citizens on the streets of Mexico City, an incident that has sparked outrage and a fierce response from the country's first female president. The man, reportedly drunk, apparently attempted to kiss Sheinbaum on the neck and embrace her from behind, touching her body without consent. Despite being flanked by security, the attack unfolded in broad daylight, exposing the persistent dangers women face in Mexico — even those in the highest office.
A Shocking Encounter Caught on Camera
The unsettling moment was captured on video during Sheinbaum's walk near the National Palace. The footage reportedly shows the man approaching from behind, seemingly leaning in for a kiss, and placing his hands on the president's body. Sheinbaum calmly but firmly removed his hands. According to The Guardian, she then turned to face him, maintaining a stiff smile while saying, "Don't worry." Juan José Ramírez Mendoza, head of Mexico's General Directorate of Assistance, stepped in to separate the man from the president. The man was quickly arrested by state police, who confirmed his detention later that day.
The man, identified as Uriel Rivera according to PEOPLE, was taken to the Sexual Offenses Investigation Prosecutor's Office and could face charges of harassment and sexual abuse, which under Mexican law carry prison sentences ranging from one to six years.
Sheinbaum's Defiant Response
President Sheinbaum did not mince words in the aftermath. She announced she would press criminal charges against her alleged assailant, framing the attack as an assault on all women in Mexico and sending a message that "loud and clear, no, women's personal space must not be violated," as reported by NBC News. She emphasized that this was not an isolated incident in her life, recalling previous experiences of harassment before she became president, including during her time as a student and mayor.
Sheinbaum said that if she did not file a complaint, it would send a dangerous message to Mexican women. "If this is done to the president, what is going to happen to all of the young women in our country?" she asked during her daily press conference, as reported by NBC News.
Her words resonated with many, including feminist journalists who pointed to the incident as a stark example of Mexico's endemic machismo culture. Catalina Ruiz-Navarro, a journalist for the feminist outlet Volcánicas, said the attack illustrated how "even if you're the president, any guy believes he has the right to touch you," as reported by The Guardian.
Security Questions and Political Risks
The incident also raised serious questions about the president's security detail. The video shows no visible security personnel intervening immediately, and it took several seconds before a government official stepped in. This has sparked debate about the adequacy of protection for high-profile officials in Mexico, especially women.
Sheinbaum has maintained a security approach similar to her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who preferred lighter security and often mingled freely with the public. She stated she would not change her security arrangements, insisting, "We cannot distance ourselves from the people. That would be to deny where we come from and who we are," as reported by The Guardian.
However, the attack comes amid a backdrop of violence against Mexican officials. Just days earlier, Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez, a popular mayor, was killed during Day of the Dead celebrations. Manzo Rodríguez had publicly appealed to Sheinbaum for help confronting criminal groups in his region before his assassination, as reported by The Guardian.
Since Sheinbaum took office, at least 10 municipal presidents have been killed, and 37 candidates were assassinated during the 2024 campaign season. While local officials are the most frequent targets, high-level figures are not immune. In 2020, Sheinbaum's security minister survived an assassination attempt when his convoy was sprayed with bullets in Mexico City.
A Symbol of Wider Struggles
Sheinbaum's experience has become a symbol of the broader struggle against gender-based violence in Mexico. Senator Malú Micher Camarena, president of the Senate's Gender Equality Commission, condemned the attack as "absolutely unacceptable" and an assault on all women, as reported by PEOPLE. She stressed that if such an act could happen to the president, it reflects the vulnerability of countless women across the country.
Clara Brugada, Mexico City's Head of Government, expressed solidarity with Sheinbaum, affirming that the president was not alone and confirming the suspect's arrest, as reported by PEOPLE.
Sheinbaum made history in June 2024 as Mexico's first female president, a milestone she framed as a victory for all women. At the time, she said, "I do not arrive alone. We all arrived, with our heroines who gave us our homeland, with our ancestors, our mothers, our daughters and our granddaughters," as reported by PEOPLE.
Walking Among the People
The attack occurred as Sheinbaum and her team chose to walk from the National Palace to the Education Ministry to save time, a five-minute journey instead of a 20-minute car ride. This decision reflects her commitment to staying close to the people despite the risks.
Sheinbaum's approach contrasts with many world leaders who maintain heavy security and distance from the public. Her willingness to be accessible has been praised but also exposes her to dangers that many women in Mexico face daily.
The Road Ahead
The investigation into the man accused of groping President Sheinbaum is ongoing. The president's decision to press charges sends a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated, regardless of the victim's status.
The incident has sparked a national conversation about the persistent problem of sexual harassment and violence against women in Mexico. It also highlights the challenges female leaders face in a country grappling with deep-rooted gender inequality and security concerns.
As Sheinbaum said, this is not just about one woman or one attack. It is about the millions of women in Mexico who face harassment and violence every day. The president's response may set a precedent for how the country addresses these issues moving forward.
You can expect this story to remain in the spotlight as Mexico confronts its uneasy gender divide and the ongoing risks faced by its leaders and citizens alike.
References: Man gropes Mexico president as she speaks with citizens on the streets | Claudia Sheinbaum | Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum groped by man in street, says she's pressing charges | Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Sexually Assaulted as She Talks to Crowd
