In a bold move, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has decided to take legal action against a man who allegedly groped her and attempted to kiss her during a brief stroll in Mexico City on Tuesday. This incident has sparked a larger conversation about women’s safety in the country.

Using the platform X to address the situation, President Sheinbaum announced her intention to review and potentially strengthen legislation to ensure such offenses are punishable across all 32 states in Mexico. Her statement emphasized the broader implications of the incident, questioning, “If this can happen to the president, what can we expect for all the young women in our country?”

The encounter was captured in a video that quickly gained traction online. In it, Sheinbaum is seen interacting with locals when a man unexpectedly approaches her from behind, placing his hands on her and moving in as if to kiss her. She later commented that the individual appeared “totally drunk.”

President Sheinbaum, who is 62 years old, has not shied away from using this personal experience to highlight a pressing issue. Her response signals a potential shift in policy, aiming to address and deter inappropriate behavior towards women at all levels of society.

Sheinbaum’s determination to pursue legal action underscores her commitment to addressing harassment and setting a precedent for how such incidents should be handled, reinforcing her role as a leader advocating for the rights and safety of women in Mexico.

In the video, Sheinbaum, who is immediately and visibly startled, turns toward the man and gently pushes his hands away, while managing to maintain a stiff smile.

A government official is seen in the video quickly stepping in to separate the two as the president backs away. The man was then led off as onlookers watched in disbelief.

The incident reportedly took place as Sheinbaum was walking between Mexico’s National Palace and the Education Ministry. 

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada announced Tuesday night that the man had been arrested, The Associated Press reported.

President Claudia Sheinbaum attends a press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City on Nov. 3, 2025. (Henry Romero/Reuters)

While speaking at her daily news conference on Wednesday, Sheinbaum framed the moment as symbolic of a broader issue facing Mexican women.

“This is something I experienced as a woman, but it is something that all women in our country experience,” she said.

When addressing the video of the incident, Sheinbaum said posting it was “completely unethical and immoral.”

President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a plan to launch a campaign to educate men on respecting women’s rights. (Raquel Cunha/File Photo/Reuters)

In the wake of the incident, Sheinbaum announced a plan to launch a campaign to educate men on respecting women’s rights.

“This is an issue of dignity for women and of recognizing our rights,” she said. “We have published a women’s rights booklet, and this is connected to that. It’s a matter of defending all Mexican women.”

Sheinbaum, who took office in October 2024 as Mexico’s first female president, emphasized that the incident would not deter her from engaging directly with citizens.

“We cannot distance ourselves from the people,” she said. “That would be to deny where we come from and who we are.”

Before becoming president, Sheinbaum was head of government of Mexico City until 2023.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Sheinbaum’s office for comment.