Maria Jose Estupinan, 22-year-old model and social media influencer, was tragically gunned down in Cucuta, Colombia, on May 14. Her death has ignited protests and calls for justice across the country, shedding light on the pandemic of femicide throughout the country. Estupinan, an ESPOL university student, has handled many difficult domestic violence cases. Now, she’s close to receiving justice and compensation for her harrowing experience.
Estupinan’s home, Cucuta, is a teeming city of 2.5 million in northeastern Colombia on the border with Venezuela. As a result, he’s built an enormous social media presence. Her Facebook feed was such a joy to scroll through, filled with colorful captures of her adventures and life back home — trips to New York City and California. In her Instagram stories, she often shared snippets poolside and in the gym. These snapshots beamed her young energy and hopes for the future.
Estupinan’s murder is eerily similar to the killing of Mexican influencer Valeria Marquez just last week. This further marks an alarming rise in the pattern of violence against women across Latin America. From January to August of last year, Cucuta registered 34 cases of disappeared women. As a comparison, the whole country of Colombia only had 41 cases reported in the same timeframe. The dire statistics on gender-based violence in this country underscore the need for immediate action to end the violence across the country.
So far, the National Gender Commission of Colombia has counted over 2,500 cases of gender and domestic violence. This exemplifies the systemic barriers that women face on a daily basis. The Catatumbo region, where Cucuta is located, has experienced escalating violence that has displaced tens of thousands of residents since January.
Magda Victoria Acosta, an advocate for women’s rights, expressed her sorrow over Estupinan’s untimely death.
“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,” – Magda Victoria Acosta.
As community members continue to mourn for Estupinan’s loss, they demand justice and more protections for women. Her story is far from an isolated tragedy. It represents the frontlines of an ongoing crisis impacting thousands of women all over Colombia. Activists have echoed the calls for more action to fight femicide and ensure victims get justice.
