Mexico City was notorious for the encoxadores . In response, the city passed the "Ley Olimpia" (Olimpia Law) and specific reforms classifying "encoxada" as sexual abuse , not just harassment. Under the new penal code, an encoxada in bus can carry prison sentences of 3 to 5 years. Undercover female police officers (known as mujeres de civil ) began riding buses, and a hotline ( 55 5533 5513 ) was established for real-time reporting.
Every morning, millions of people squeeze into packed buses, trains, and subways. In this sea of bodies—shoulder to shoulder, back to chest—personal space becomes a luxury. For most commuters, this is a minor inconvenience. But for a significant portion of the population, particularly women and LGBTQ+ individuals, the crowded bus is a hunting ground. In many parts of the Spanish-speaking world, there is a specific, chilling word for this act: . encoxada in bus
Until recently, most legal systems classified this as "harassment" – a misdemeanor with a small fine. However, a paradigm shift is occurring, largely thanks to feminist activism in Latin America. Mexico City was notorious for the encoxadores