The murder of 22-year-old Colombian model and university student, María José Estupiñán, has sparked national outrage and renewed calls for action against femicide in Latin America. Estupiñán was fatally shot at her home in Cúcuta, near the Venezuelan border, on May 15 by a suspect disguised as a delivery man, according to Magda Victoria Acosta, president of Colombia’s National Gender Commission.
Speaking at a press briefing, Acosta described Estupiñán as a “young, enterprising woman” whose life was tragically cut short, noting that she had previously been a victim of domestic violence and was on the verge of receiving compensation. Authorities are currently investigating the case.
Estupiñán’s death comes just days after the killing of 23-year-old Mexican beauty influencer Valeria Márquez, who was shot during a live stream at a salon in Jalisco state. Both killings have been widely shared on social media and compared in local media, highlighting the alarming prevalence of gender-based violence in the region.
While Colombian officials have not confirmed whether Estupiñán’s murder is being investigated as a femicide, Acosta emphasized the scale of gender-based violence in the country. She cited thousands of reported cases of domestic and sexual abuse, neglect, and psychological violence, adding that many survivors struggle to access justice. Between January and August last year alone, 41 women were reported missing in Colombia, 34 of them from Cúcuta, many of whom were minors.
The region has also seen a surge in violence due to conflict among militant groups, particularly in the Catatumbo area, which has displaced thousands and contributed to instability in Cúcuta.
Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have condemned the systemic failures in addressing violence against women across Colombia and the wider Latin American region, calling for urgent reforms and stronger enforcement of protections for women and girls.
Written By Rodney Mbua
