Latest news with #Cúcuta
National Post
23-05-2025
- National Post
Killing of a second Latin American influencer sparks criticism of authorities for failing to protect women
The murder of a 22-year-old model, university student and social media influencer has stirred outrage in Colombia. Article content Article content María José Estupiñán was shot and killed outside her home in Cúcuta, Colombia, on May 15. Article content Women's rights advocates and public officials have criticized Colombian authorities for failing to protect Estupiñán, highlighting systemic negligence in cases of violence against women. Article content Article content The assailant, disguised as a delivery man, approached her residence in the morning and shot her at point-blank range when she answered the door. Article content Article content Estupiñán had previously reported her ex-partner for domestic violence and had recently won a court case against him. Just a day before the shooting, a judge ordered her ex-boyfriend to pay her 30 million Colombian pesos (around $10,000) in damages for a longstanding domestic violence complaint. He is the prime suspect in the case. Article content Estupiñán was a well-known model and influencer, with nearly 45,000 followers on TikTok and a strong presence on other platforms. Her public persona as a young, enterprising woman brought her visibility and recognition in Colombia and beyond. Article content Violence against women with public profiles is a growing concern in Latin America. Her murder has fuelled public outrage and drawn national and international attention to her case. Article content Article content Estupiñán's killing came just days after the murder of another Latin American influencer, Valeria Márquez of Mexico. Both murders have highlighted the heightened risks faced by women with public platforms, and sparked broader conversations about femicide and the dangers of being a public-facing woman in the region. Article content
CNN
20-05-2025
- CNN
Colombian model murdered in investigated femicide
A 22-year-old university student and model was killed in the Colombian city of Cúcuta, in the latest case highlighting femicide rates in Latin America. Her death is under investigation, officials say, and comes only days after a Mexican influencer was killed by a male intruder during a livestream.
The Guardian
19-05-2025
- The Guardian
Murder of Colombian model sparks outrage over rising femicides
The murder of a Colombian model and influencer, now being investigated as a possible femicide, has triggered widespread outrage and renewed criticism of the country's failure to protect women. María José Estupiñán, a 22-year-old student, model and influencer from the north-eastern city of Cúcuta, was killed on 15 May. According to the police, the suspect arrived at her house disguised as a delivery man and shot Estupiñán in the face when she opened the door. Surveillance camera footage showed the suspect fleeing shortly afterwards. 'She was a young, enterprising woman with a whole life ahead of her, but those dreams are cut short like the dreams of many women in this country,' said Magda Victoria Acosta, president of the national gender commission of the Colombian Judiciary. Authorities later confirmed that Estupiñán had previously been a victim of domestic violence, and that preliminary investigations point to a possible femicide, the intentional killing of women and girls because of their gender. 'It could be a case of femicide, since she filed several complaints for domestic violence in previous years, but that is a matter of investigation,' said Col Leonardo Capachoof the Cúcuta police. Estupiñán had previously reported her ex-partner for domestic violence, according to women's rights lawyers. The day before her death, a judge reportedly ruled in Estupiñán's favour, ordering the abuser to compensate Estupiñán with 30m pesos, approximately $1,554. Activists say the Colombian state is implicated in the crime. Alejandra Vera, director of Cúcuta-based feminist collective Woman, Speak Out and Move It, said the murder was 'preventable' but that the 'state fails to act'. 'The brutal murder of María José is the result of a system that normalises violence against women,' said Vera. 'Colombia is facing a pandemic of femicides – every 28 hours, a woman is a victim. Each crime reflects a systematic pattern of impunity and state negligence. 'María José, like thousands, did what the system demands: she reported the crime, presented evidence, and asked for help. But the state let her die,' said Vera. 'There are no effective protection orders, no follow-up care for abusers, and no shelters with the capacity. Women are left completely unprotected, and the perpetrators know it.' Femicide does not refer to any homicide of a woman, but rather to the murder of women for their gender. According to the Colombian Observatory of Femicides, femicides in the South American nation reached a seven-year high in 2024, with 886 recorded. The NGO said that up until March 2025, 207 femicides had been reported. Figures vary, however, with the attorney general acknowledging 640 cases by November 2024. Human Rights Watch has previously warned that gender-based violence in Colombia 'is widespread' and that perpetrators are 'rarely held accountable'. Vera said that laws exist to protect women in Colombia, 'but they are dead letters'. According to Woman, Speak Out and Move It, the police lack staff and resources, prosecutors are not trained to investigate gender-based violence, and repeat offenders are not monitored. Meanwhile, the National Women's Network NGO said that 73% of femicides in Colombia between 2021 and 2023 went unsolved. Estupiñán's killing as been compared to the 13 May shooting of 23-year-old influencer Valeria Márquez in Mexico, who was killed when livestreaming at a salon. The Mexican state prosecutor's office has said it was investigating the crime as femicide. Women's rights activists are now calling for marches in Cúcuta and Bogotá to demand justice for Estupiñán. At her funeral this weekend, a family member said: 'María José, life for you was a wonderful journey, but very short. Fly, fly very high, majo.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Columbian Influencer Shot Dead Days After Mexican Influencer Killed During TikTok Livestream
Colombian influencer Maria Jose Estupinan was shot dead at her residence in Cúcuta on May 15 Authorities said the suspect pretended to be a deliveryman before shooting Estupinan multiple times Officials suspect Estupinan's ex-boyfriend could be the shooter after she won a domestic violence case against him the day beforeA Colombian influencer has been killed just days after influencer Valeria Marquez was fatally shot during her livestream in Mexico. According to CNN, 22-year-old Maria Jose Estupinan was killed on May 15. She reportedly attended university in Cúcuta near the border of Venezuela. The outlet reports that the president of the National Gender Commission of the Colombian Judiciary, Magda Victoria Acosta, told the press at a news conference that a man pretending to be a delivery person shot Estupinan at her residence. Local news outlet Noticias Caracol reported that the suspect shot the student multiple times in Norte de Santander. Per NDTV, security footage captured a man running away as Estupinan's screams were heard. The social media star reportedly died later from her injuries at the hospital. 'We are verifying. The Judicial Police has already begun carrying out the necessary activities to identify and determine the whereabouts of the person who shot this young woman,' Colonel Leonardo Capacho, commander of District One of the Cúcuta Metropolitan Police, said in a statement to Noticias Caracol. PEOPLE has contacted the Cúcuta Metropolitan Police for comment. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The official also said that the suspect could be Estupinan's ex-partner, whom she previously reported for domestic violence. "It could be an alleged femicide, since she filed several complaints for domestic violence in previous years, but that is a matter of investigation,' Capacho said. Estupinan was also set to be given a reward of 30 million pesos after winning a domestic violence case against her ex the day before. Alejandra Vera, director of the organization, Mujer Denuncia y Muévete, which translates to Women Report and Move, told the outlet that the victim's ex 'stalked her and abused her, and she reported it to the authorities. By filing a complaint, she activated the route, requested assistance and requested full protection and security, and above all, that she could enjoy a life free of violence.' 'The Colombian state has failed this young woman," Vera added. Estupinan's death comes days after 23-year-old influencer Valeria Marquez was shot dead while livestreaming from her beauty salon in Jalisco, Mexico, on May 13. While Marquez was not at the salon, a man had previously gone to the location pretending to be a delivery driver. He reportedly said he needed to deliver a gift to the social media star. She then arrived at her salon called Blossom and spoke on TikTok about being fearful due to hearing about a man asking about her. 'Maybe they were going to kill me. Were they going to come and take me away, or what?' she said in the livestream before being shot. Authorities believe Marquez may have been targeted by hitmen. Read the original article on People
