Mexican President Sheinbaum Targeted by Harassment Incident in Public

México City, Mexico – Updated: November 5, 2025, 6:03 CET. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was confronted by an unknown man Tuesday afternoon who attempted to kiss her and touched her chest, while a crowd looked on without immediate reaction.

The incident did not cease until Juan José Ramírez Mendoza, head of the General Directorate of Aids, intervened, placing himself between the president and the man. Witnesses recorded the event on mobile phones as it unfolded.

This incident raises questions about Sheinbaum’s security detail as she opted to forgo a Presidential Security Unit, similar to former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The event has reignited concerns regarding presidential safety in a country still reeling from the assassination of a municipal president in Michoacán.

Such harassment is a daily reality for women of all ages across Mexico. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), 45% of women in Mexico have experienced street harassment.

On the day of the incident, Sheinbaum walked approximately 650 meters from the National Palace to the Ministry of Public Education. Although she has occasionally taken public walks like this before, this particular event highlighted the dangers she faces while engaging with the public.

As the crowd gathered to take selfies and greet her, a man approached from her left, placing an arm around her shoulder and touching her. While visibly uncomfortable, Sheinbaum managed to remove his hands without aggression and nervously smiled after Ramírez intervened. Seconds later, she reassured him, saying, “don’t worry,” and allowed the man to take a photograph.

Under the Federal Penal Code, such behavior can lead to penalties of one to five years in prison. In Mexico City, the punishment for these actions can reach up to four years, plus fines and the possibility of restraining orders.

Later that night, authorities confirmed the man had been detained and was in custody of the Sexual Crimes Investigation Unit. Activists and women’s rights advocates described the incident as reflective of the normalization of harassment in Mexico and urged Sheinbaum to send a strong message against gender-based violence.

The Ministry of Women, established by Sheinbaum’s government, along with the Equal Gender Commission, expressed their condemnation of the act, acknowledging that “unfortunately, no woman is exempt from experiencing sexual harassment” in the country.

The statement emphasized the importance of men understanding that such acts violate not only women but also constitute a crime. “These types of violence should not be trivialized, and reporting them is crucial for justice and cultural change,” it stated.

Feminist lawyer and activist Diana Luz Vázquez noted, “The president has a significant opportunity to set boundaries against violence. If a man can do that to a president, imagine the violence all women face.” She highlighted that this moment presents a chance for Sheinbaum to deliver an impactful message against these acts, which are often deemed unacceptable.

Studies show that victims of street harassment often experience mixed emotional and physical reactions, including confusion, anxiety, guilt, shame, or stress symptoms, as a result of the trauma and insecurity caused by such aggression.

In November 2024, Sheinbaum clarified that she would not employ a security team akin to previous presidents, who relied on the Presidential Security Unit, an elite military group dedicated to safeguarding presidents and their families. When questioned about her choice, the president stated, “The Presidential Security Unit was dismantled when President López Obrador took office.”

The rationale behind López Obrador’s decision included the high costs to the public purse and the belief that the community would ensure his safety. This incident demonstrates that, despite public trust, President Sheinbaum was not shielded from harassment.

The event comes at a time when the safety of public officials in Mexico is under scrutiny, particularly following violent incidents involving local leaders. Critics noted how easily the man approached Sheinbaum and raised concerns about whether he might have been armed or capable of causing her real harm.