The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, confirmed this Wednesday, November 5, that she filed a formal complaint against the man who harassed her during a walking tour through the historic center of the Mexican capital. The incident, which was recorded by several people and widely disseminated on social networks, has reignited the debate on gender violence and street harassment in the country.
During her morning conference at the National Palace, Sheinbaum explained that she filed a written complaint with the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office (FGJ-CDMX), in order for the case to be investigated in accordance with the law. “I will already see with the prosecutor without any privilege to sign it before the Public Prosecutor’s Office. It is something that should not happen, I am not saying this as president, but as a woman and in representation of all Mexican women. No one has the right to invade our personal space”, declared the president.
Claudia Sheinbaum suffers harassment
Terrible harassment of which President Claudia Sheinbaum(@Claudiashein) was a victim.
So far, the Office of the Presidency has not informed whether the aggressor will be prosecuted.
Let’s hope so, and that the president sends a clear message: no man has the right to kiss or… pic.twitter.com/dk9QFYmcMC– Alejandra Escobar (@AleEsat) November 4, 2025
The harassment occurred last Tuesday, November 4, when the president was walking from the National Palace to the headquarters of the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP), located a few blocks away, where she was scheduled to meet with rectors of public and private universities.
According to witnesses, a man in an obvious state of intoxication approached her from behind and tried to kiss her on the neck, while hugging her from behind.
Sheinbaum’s security team reacted immediately, separating him from Sheinbaum and placing him at the disposal of the capital’s police.
Hours later, the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) confirmed that the individual was arrested and transferred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, where he will face charges of harassment and disturbing the public order.
Sheinbaum acknowledged that she did not realize the attempted aggression until she saw the images on social networks.
“When I reviewed the videos I understood what had happened. The man was totally intoxicated. This type of act cannot be normalized,” he said.
A call to report harassment
I filed a complaint for the episode of harassment I experienced yesterday in Mexico City. It should be clear that, beyond being president, this is something that many women in the country and in the world experience; no one can violate our body and personal space.
We will review the… pic.twitter.com/jcs6FweI6q
– Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) November 5, 2025
The president took advantage of the incident to call on all Mexican women to report any type of aggression or harassment.
If this is what they do to the president, imagine what millions of young women experience every day. That's why we must speak out, not remain silent. Our country must change this culture of impunity
Claudia Sheinbaum
He also said that his government will review whether harassment is classified as a criminal offense in the 32 states of the country, since laws vary from state to state.
It also announced that it will launch a national campaign for the respect of women, with emphasis on public transportation, streets and workplaces, where high rates of sexual and psychological violence persist.
A structural problem in Mexico
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), more than 70% of Mexican women over the age of 15 have suffered some type of violence: 52% psychological, 35% physical and 48% sexual.
As for street harassment, 15.5 % of women have experienced touching, exhibitionism or attempted rape, a figure five times higher than that of men (3.2 %).
However, experts point out that there is a black figure of more than 90%, since most cases are not reported due to fear, distrust or the belief that “there is no point” in going to the authorities.
Sheinbaum refuses to reinforce her security
Despite the incident, Sheinbaum ruled out increasing her security scheme.
“We are not going to change the way we live. We can’t be far from the people. That would be denying where we come from. We will continue to walk the streets and our fellow helpers will continue to support us,” he said.
The president recalled that this is not the first time she has faced this type of aggression.
She recounted that when she was 12 years old she was a victim of harassment on public transportation, an episode that marked her commitment to the defense of women’s rights.
“That is why I insist that respect for us must be a state priority. It is not about privileges, but about guaranteeing that we can all live free and safe lives,” she concluded.
Filed under: Claudia Sheinbaum suffers harassment
