Mexico’s President groped and sexually assaulted in public, calls for criminal penalties for harassment | VIDEO

Mexico City: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has called for sexual harassment to be classified as a criminal offence nationwide, after a man groped and attempted to kiss her while she greeted supporters near the presidential palace.

The incident occurred on Tuesday as Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female president, walked to an event, stopping to shake hands and take pictures with people along the way. Videos circulating on social media show a man approaching her from behind, placing his arm around her shoulders, touching her hip and chest, and trying to kiss her neck before being pulled away by a member of her security team.

The man, who appeared intoxicated, was later arrested, authorities confirmed.

Speaking at her daily press conference on Wednesday, Sheinbaum said she decided to file a complaint after learning the man had continued to harass other women nearby.

“If I don’t file a complaint, what will happen to other Mexican women? If they do this to the president, what happens to all women in our country?” she said.

Sheinbaum announced that the federal government will review criminal codes across Mexico’s 32 states to ensure sexual harassment is treated as a punishable crime everywhere. “It should be a criminal offence, and we are going to launch a campaign,” she added, noting that she herself had experienced harassment when she was younger.

The assault has sparked criticism of the president’s security detail and renewed debate about macho culture and violence against women in Mexico, where about 70 percent of women aged 15 and older report having experienced sexual harassment, according to UN Women.

Despite the incident, Sheinbaum remained composed during the encounter, even agreeing to take a photo with the man before realising the extent of the assault.

“This person approached me completely drunk, I don't know if he was on drugs...It wasn't until I saw the videos that I realized what had really happened,” she said.

The complaint has been filed with the Mexico City prosecutor’s office, where sexual harassment is already punishable under local law.