Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to sue man for groping her
What's the story
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced her decision to press charges against a man who groped her during a public event. The incident occurred on Tuesday in the historical center of Mexico City and was captured on video. In the footage, a man is seen approaching Sheinbaum from behind, trying to kiss her neck and put his hands on her body.
President's statement
If I don't file complaint, what will happen to women
After the incident, Sheinbaum decided to press charges against the man who allegedly harassed her and other women at the event. "My view is, if I don't file a complaint, what will happen to other Mexican women? If they do this to the president, what will happen to all women in our country?" she said at a news conference on Wednesday.
Ongoing issue
Sheinbaum's personal experience with harassment
Sheinbaum also highlighted that she has been a victim of harassment since her student days. "I have experienced it before, when I wasn't president, when I was a student," she said. The incident has sparked discussions among women's rights groups and feminist commentators about the deep-seated machismo culture in Mexico and the need for stricter laws against such crimes.
Statistics
Harassment complaints on the rise in Mexico
Harassment complaints have been on the rise in Mexico, with one in two women experiencing some form of sexual aggression, according to Senate data. According to this compilation, around 91% of sexual violence cases go unpunished in the country. The incident also raises questions about presidential security and safety protocols for politicians in public spaces.
Security policy
Sheinbaum refuses to tighten security
Despite the incident, Sheinbaum has no plans to change her approach to interacting with supporters. "We're not going to change the way we are...We can't be far from the people, that would be denying where we come from," she said. She added she would only consider tightening her security if there was a credible threat identified by her cabinet. The president's decision comes after recent violent incidents targeting politicians in Mexico, including the murder of Carlos Manzo, mayor of Uruapan.