Mexico City—President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced that she will press charges against a man who groped her during a public appearance near the National Palace, highlighting the urgent issue of gender-based violence in the country.

The incident, captured on a mobile phone, shows Sheinbaum speaking to supporters on Tuesday when a man approached from behind, kissed her on the neck, and groped her. She quickly stepped away as a member of her team intervened, and the suspect has since been arrested.

At a news conference, Sheinbaum explained that pressing charges was necessary to protect women across Mexico.

“If they do this to the president, what will happen to all women in our country?” she said, adding that the man had allegedly harassed other women in the crowd.

Women’s rights groups condemned the attack, calling it a reflection of deep-seated misogyny in Mexican society, where public harassment of women remains widespread. Mexico continues to grapple with a severe gender-based violence crisis, with an estimated 98% of femicides going unpunished.

Despite the attack, Sheinbaum stressed that she would continue engaging closely with citizens in public while drawing a clear line against harassment.

The incident comes shortly after the murder of Carlos Manzo, mayor of Uruapan in Michoacán, underscoring ongoing security challenges for public officials.

Since taking office, Sheinbaum has focused on strengthening national security, including tackling fentanyl trafficking, while maintaining a hands-on approach to public engagement.