In a powerful stance against gender-based violence, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has filed a formal criminal complaint against a 33-year-old man, identified as Uriel Rivera Martínez, who groped and attempted to kiss her during a public walk in Mexico City.
The incident, which took place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, was captured in viral mobile phone footage as the President walked from the National Palace to the Ministry of Education. The video shows the suspect, who appeared to be intoxicated, approaching Sheinbaum from behind, grabbing her, and attempting to kiss her neck before her staff intervened.
Addressing the assault during her morning press conference on Wednesday, Sheinbaum emphasized that her decision to press charges was a matter of principle. “If I don’t file a complaint… what will happen to all the young women in our country?” she asked, noting that if the President is not exempt from such harassment, it underscores the daily reality for millions of Mexican women. She confirmed that the suspect has been charged with sexual harassment, a crime that carries a potential sentence of one to three years in prison under Mexico City law.
The incident has ignited a fierce national debate regarding “machismo” and the safety of women in public life. While some security analysts criticized the President’s minimalist security detail – noting it leaves the head of state vulnerable to cartel violence or further assaults – feminist groups have lauded her for bringing the issue to the national forefront.
In response to the attack, Sheinbaum announced a new national campaign against gender-based violence and called for sexual harassment to be criminalized in every Mexican state, as many regions still lack specific laws against such conduct.
The assault occurred during a particularly tense week for Mexican politics, falling on the same day Sheinbaum met with the widow of Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan who was assassinated just days earlier.
Despite the risks, Sheinbaum remains committed to the “minimalist” security approach of her predecessor, insisting that a leader must not be separated from the citizens they serve.
