The sexual harassment that President Claudia Sheinbaum was accused of on November 4th was not just a criminal complaint. This fact prompted immediate action by the federal government, which announced this Wednesday the launch of a national campaign against sexual harassment and abuse and a strategy to normalize this crime in the republic’s 32 states.
Citlali Hernández, General Secretary of Morena State and Director of the National Institute for Women, revealed that the initiative seeks to create a uniform legal framework across the country, as sexual harassment is not even classified as a crime by some organizations. “The question is not how the president acted, but why he believed he could touch her,” Hernández said in an interview with newspaper Azucena Uresti, setting the tone for a new campaign that seeks to focus the debate on the perpetrator’s actions rather than the victim’s reaction.
The campaign will target both women and men and will also include an educational component aimed specifically at men, with the aim of creating a cultural change that eradicates the normalization of sexist behavior. “Women are not alone. The important thing is to report and break the cycle of impunity,” Hernandez stressed.
The starting point for this national mobilization was Tuesday’s attack on Sheinbaum, who was harassed while touring the historic center. The president immediately filed a formal complaint with the CDMX public prosecutor’s office, and the head of the capital’s government, Clara Brugada, confirmed the arrest of the suspected invaders.
More than an isolated incident, this incident sparked a concerted response to transform outrage into public policy to structurally combat sexual violence that affects millions of women in Mexico.
The facts behind Mexico’s biggest anti-harassment campaign
On the afternoon of November 4, in the historic center of Mexico City, President Claudia Sheinbaum walked towards the Ministry of Education, taking greetings, selfies and hugs. But in the middle of the crowd, an unexpected gesture stopped her in her tracks and froze the air. The man touched her and tried to kiss her without her consent.
The episode, recorded on a cell phone, went viral within seconds and depicted a moment that evoked anger and remorse in equal measure.
The next day, Sheinbaum, the first woman to rule Mexico, filed a formal complaint. “If something like this happens to the president, what will be left for young women?” he said.
Her statement resonated beyond politics. It was a statement about women’s bodies, their dignity, and their right to occupy public spaces without fear.
What exactly happened and how did Sheinbaum react?
The incident took place between the National Palace and the Ministry of Education, a short distance where presidents typically travel unescorted, in keeping with his predecessor Andres Manuel López Obrador’s habit of being “close to the people.” The video shows a middle-aged man, who authorities say was under the influence of alcohol, approaching Sheinbaum, hugging him and touching him inappropriately before the team intervened.
No matter what happens, the president vowed that he will not change the way he interacts with the public. “We have to stand by our people,” he said. However, the event reignited debate over presidential security and the exposure of public figures, especially women, in open spaces where gender violence can manifest even at the highest levels of power.
What legal and ethical measures are in place?
Sheinbaum criticized the newspaper. reform He released an image of the moment of the attack and called it “re-victimization.” He called for a public apology, recalling that Mexican law prohibits the distribution of content that violates the integrity of victims. “Using that image is also a crime,” he warned.
The Women’s Secretariat, a division established during her mandate, urged the media not to reproduce images of violence and urged victims to report it. The president also called for a review of state criminal laws to criminalize sexual harassment nationwide, as only half of organizations currently classify it as a crime.
Aiming for a safer Mexico for women
The perpetrator, identified as Uriel Rivera, was arrested on the night of November 4, but the case is now beyond court. The attack on Mexico’s president has sparked collective calls for stronger laws, protection mechanisms and equal education.
Sheinbaum’s message resonated strongly. No class or position protects women from violence, but each grievance can pave the way to justice. The public dialogue now beginning calls for change, not just punishment, but for a Mexico where walking freely is a right, not a privilege.
Contributed by: USA TODAY
Boris Q’va is a national Spanish language trends news reporter for Connect/USA TODAY Network. You can follow him on X as @ByBorisQva or write to him at BBalsindesUrquiola@gannett.com.
