Influencer's tragic death highlights Mexico's gender violence crisis

Valeria Márquez, a popular influencer from Mexico, was killed during a live stream on TikTok. The tragedy happened in a beauty salon in Zapopan. A masked man entered the establishment, asked for her name, and then fired the fatal shot.

Investigators are analysing recordings and social media accounts, but the perpetrator remains elusive. A spokesperson for the prosecutor's office, Denis Rodríguez, emphasises that the man did not personally know Valeria, which suggests that he acted as an executor. This is not the first such case in Mexico.

Mexico is grappling with a wave of female murders, despite existing laws protecting women. Experts, such as Dr. Paulina García-Del Moral, point to deep-rooted sexism and a lack of effective action from the authorities. The statistics are alarming, and such crimes send a troubling signal about the impunity of perpetrators.

Many activists emphasise that the problem is not only the lack of regulations but also their enforcement. Victims often do not receive adequate protection, and court cases drag on for years or are dismissed. Social protests, although numerous and loud, still encounter a wall of indifference from state institutions. Mexican women are increasingly taking to the streets, demanding real changes and justice.

After the tragedy, TikTok was flooded with comments full of disbelief and grief. Users question the authenticity of the event, and TikTok has not yet issued an official statement. It is unknown whether the perpetrator was aware that the stream was live.