Shocking incident in Mexico City has reignited debates over women’s protection.
While walking from the National Palace to the Ministry of Education, President Claudia Sheinbaum was greeting the public when a man approached and made inappropriate physical advances, attempting to touch and kiss her.
The incident, caught on video, quickly went viral, raising concerns about rising harassment against women in Mexico.
Sheinbaum immediately reported the attacker, identified as Uriel Rivera, to authorities. She emphasized, “If this can happen to me, what about ordinary women? No one has the right to violate a woman’s personal boundaries.”
The viral footage shows a middle-aged man placing his hand on the president’s shoulder and trying to kiss her, while an aide intervenes. Security personnel were not immediately visible, highlighting concerns about protective measures for women in public spaces.
Despite the incident, Sheinbaum reaffirmed her commitment to staying close to the public, stating, “We must remain accessible to the people.”
She criticized the media for publishing images of the incident, calling it “re-victimization” and demanding an apology, emphasizing that women’s consent is paramount. The Ministry for Women urged victims to report harassment while advising media to avoid broadcasting harmful visuals.
Women’s rights activists noted that this incident reflects daily risks faced by Mexican women, pointing to high femicide rates and insufficient investigations. Official statistics show 821 women were killed in 2024, with 501 cases reported by September 2025, though actual numbers may be higher.
Anna Yely Perez from the National Citizen Observatory on Femicide said, “This incident is symbolic of the everyday reality faced by women nationwide.”
Sheinbaum has instructed authorities to review and strengthen laws against sexual harassment, noting that half of Mexico’s states and the capital already recognize it as a punishable offense.
The attacker is now in police custody, yet the incident underscores that safety for women remains a major challenge in Mexico, whether they are ordinary citizens or the president herself.