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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