On November 4, 2025, Mexico’s first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum, became the center of national and international attention after a disturbing incident unfolded in broad daylight outside the National Palace in Mexico City. As Sheinbaum walked from the historic government building to the Ministry of Education, a drunken man—later identified as Uriel Rivera Martinez, 33—approached her in a crowd, placed his arm around her, attempted to kiss her neck, and touched her chest. The moment, captured on multiple cell phones, quickly went viral and ignited a fierce debate about gender violence, personal safety, and the treatment of women in Mexican society.
The rapid spread of the video online made it impossible to ignore what had happened. Yet, according to CBC, the domestic reaction was surprisingly muted and, in many quarters, deeply partisan. While the world saw the incident as a clear-cut case of sexual harassment—one that would be investigated as a serious crime in countries like Canada—many in Mexico framed the event as a lapse in presidential security, especially coming so soon after the high-profile assassination of Carlos Manzo, a popular mayor in Michoacán. Still others on social media questioned the veracity of the event, speculating wildly about political motives. "Wow, not even if it’s on video and it happens to the president you’re going to believe it," remarked Estefania Vela Barba, executive director of Intersecta, a feminist human rights group, highlighting how skepticism and polarization can cloud even the most clear-cut cases of abuse.
For President Sheinbaum, the incident was both personal and political. "I decided to press charges because this is something I experienced as a woman—something all women in our country experience," she stated, as reported by Augusta Free Press. "No man has the right to violate that space." Sheinbaum, who was sworn in on October 1, 2024, has been candid about her own history with harassment, recalling incidents at age 12 and later as a student. Now, as the nation’s leader, she is determined to use her platform to confront a problem that affects millions. "If I don't raise a complaint, even though this is a crime, where does that leave all Mexican women? If they do this to the president, then what happens to all the young women in our country?" she asked, her words resonating with countless women who have faced similar indignities.
The Secretariat for Women, an office established by Sheinbaum last year, issued a firm statement: "Unfortunately, no woman is exempt from sexual harassment in our country. It’s crucial for men to understand that these acts are not only violent but criminal. These forms of violence must not be trivialized; denouncing them is fundamental to justice and cultural change." The suspect, Uriel Rivera Martinez, was swiftly arrested and placed in the custody of the sex crimes investigation unit, according to Mexico City police. He is also accused of harassing two other women in the same area on the same day. Due to Mexican legal protections, authorities have not released his name publicly, but local media confirmed his identity.
Sheinbaum’s swift and public response was praised by experts and activists. Amneris Chaparro Martínez, a director at the Centre for Research and Gender Studies at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, told CBC, "It shows how much we have normalized gender violence in this country, and that even [when] we have such strong evidence of harassment in the streets and harassment toward the president of the country, we minimize its effects." For Chaparro Martínez, the incident was a stark reminder that not even the nation’s most powerful woman is safe from harassment. "No one is asking, 'Why are men harassing women in 2025?' They say this man was on drugs or that he was drunk, but that is not an excuse."
The statistics are sobering. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, there are nine sexual crimes committed against women for every one against men in Mexico. Femicide rates—killings of women and girls because of their gender—have risen sharply in recent years. Amnesty International’s 2021 report criticized Mexico for failing to investigate or prevent violence against women, and for denying justice and protection to victims’ families. The overwhelming majority of sexual crimes go unreported or are never investigated. The problem is not confined to Mexico: nearly 57 percent of women in the United States report being touched or grabbed sexually by a stranger in public, and in Mexico, 45 percent of women have experienced street harassment.
During a Thursday morning press conference, Sheinbaum and Minerva Citlalli Hernández Mora, the Secretary for Women, announced a new campaign to combat sexual harassment and violence against women. Set to launch on November 25—the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women—the initiative aims to strengthen institutional responses, ensure that women have safe and efficient avenues for complaints, and push for real investigations that can result in jail terms for perpetrators. "What we want to legislate … is for women to really have a space to make complaints that is agile, expedited and allows for real investigations that will lead to jail terms," Sheinbaum explained.
Sheinbaum has also called for a comprehensive review of legal codes in every Mexican state. Currently, sexual harassment is a crime in about half of Mexico’s states and in Mexico City. She wants to see it recognized as a criminal offense everywhere in the country, and she’s asked the Women’s Ministry to lead the review. The president’s plan goes further, aiming to launch educational campaigns in schools and among men, to foster cultural change and greater respect for women’s bodily autonomy. "Harassment is a crime, and it’s time everyone in this country understands that," Sheinbaum declared.
Despite the incident, Sheinbaum has said she will not alter her approach to public engagement. "We have to be close to the people," she said, reaffirming her commitment to accessibility even as she acknowledges the risks. Her resolve has drawn support from allies like Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada, who posted, "President: you are not alone." The Secretariat for Women echoed this stance, stating, "The President's closeness to the Mexican people cannot be interpreted as an opportunity to invade her personal space or to engage in any type of physical contact without her consent."
For many observers, Sheinbaum’s response stands as a turning point. "To see the president herself who is naming it, it gives us light along the path. I found it empowering that the president condemned this act," said Estefania Vela Barba. The hope among advocates is that this highly publicized case will spark lasting changes in attitudes, laws, and institutional practices—not just for the president, but for all women in Mexico.
As the nation watches, the next steps will reveal whether Mexico is ready to confront its culture of gender violence head-on, or whether the old patterns of minimization and denial will persist. For now, Sheinbaum’s decision to press charges and launch a national campaign signals a clear intent: change is not just necessary—it’s overdue.