MEXICO CITY: A man was arrested in Mexico City after groping and attempting to kiss President Claudia Sheinbaum during a walkabout near the presidential palace.
The incident occurred on Tuesday as President Sheinbaum greeted supporters near the National Palace, shaking hands and posing for photographs.
Videos circulating on social media show a man approaching her from the crowd, placing his arm around her shoulder and touching her hip and chest while attempting to kiss her neck.
A member of the presidential security detail quickly intervened and pulled the man away. Witnesses said the suspect appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Man harasses the President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum
pic.twitter.com/QdhK7Ekju6— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) November 5, 2025
Despite the inappropriate conduct, Sheinbaum remained calm and composed. She appeared to briefly interact with the man, agreed to take a photo, and then patted him on the back before moving on with the event.
Authorities later confirmed that the man had been taken into custody. Security officials said they were investigating the circumstances surrounding the breach and reviewing security protocols for presidential appearances.
The Office of the President did not immediately issue a formal statement regarding the incident.
Minister condemns “macho attitudes”
Citlali Hernández, Mexico’s Minister for Women — a department established under Sheinbaum’s administration — condemned the assault and linked it to broader societal problems.
“We condemn the act that our president experienced today,” Hernández said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
She described the incident as “an example of entrenched machismo that normalises intrusions into women’s personal space.”
Pronunciamiento
Las violencias que vivimos las mujeres provienen de la normalización que tienen algunos hombres acerca de la irrupción a nuestro espacio personal y/o a nuestro cuerpo; son resultado de décadas de una visión machista.
El acoso, el hostigamiento, el abuso y… pic.twitter.com/ViHg8evNHm
— Citlalli Hernández Mora (@CitlaHM) November 5, 2025
The episode has reignited debate over women’s safety in Mexico, where gender-based violence remains widespread.
According to UN Women, about 70 per cent of women aged 15 and older in Mexico have experienced at least one form of sexual harassment or assault.
The incident has also prompted questions about the level of protection surrounding President Sheinbaum, who is known for her direct and informal engagement with the public.
Following the example of her political mentor, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Sheinbaum often mingles with crowds during public appearances, shaking hands and taking selfies.
In Tuesday’s incident, the president’s security detail was not immediately visible, leading some social media users to criticise the apparent lapse.
“The security team needs serious training. If someone can get that close to the president, no one is safe,” one X user wrote.
