TikTok star Valeria Márquez: shot in the live stream – the shock!

TikTok star Valeria Márquez: shot in the live stream – the shock!

In a shocking incident, 23-year-old Mexican influencer Valeria Márquez was shot dead at a beauty salon in Guadalajara while livestreaming on TikTok. The attack happened seconds into the stream when a man entered the salon and opened fire on the young woman. The motive for the attack remains unclear, but the case is classified as femicide, which is now a common occurrence in Mexico, a country with alarmingly high gaps in protection against violence. According to OE24, the incident happened while Márquez, who had nearly 200,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram, was presenting a livestream.

Police arrived at the scene at 6:30 p.m. local time but were initially unable to name a suspect. The perpetrator had apparently posed as the bearer of a gift in order to gain access to Márquez. According to local media reports, there were no signs of previous threats or requests for protection, Zapopan Mayor Juan José Frangie confirmed. The death of Valeria Márquez has shocked and saddened many fans and highlighted the dangerous reality that many women face in Mexico.

The sad reality of femicide in Mexico

Mexico continues to experience high levels of femicide, with around ten women or girls killed by partners or family members every day. In 2021, according to fr.de, almost 100,000 women were reported missing and around 3,750 women were murdered. An alarmingly low number of the murders - just 1,004 - were officially classified as femicides, reflecting the ineffective prosecution and high dismissal rate of such cases. The National Commission for the Prevention and Elimination of Violence Against Women (CONAVIM) estimated that 94 percent of cases are dismissed in court.

Amnesty International criticizes the state's handling of violence against women and emphasizes that public discourse on femicide and protests against this violence often experience repressive measures from the authorities. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has also repeatedly made negative comments about feminist movements, describing them as “very conservative.” Feminists are calling for an end to the patriarchal system and machismo, which are seen as the causes of the increasing violence against women.

A growing protest

The protest movement against femicide in Mexico is increasingly forming. Artists like Vivir Quintana have created anthems for women's protests that address everyday violence. Quintana herself has had personal experience with the loss of a friend and speaks about the pervasive fear that accompanies women in Mexico. At the same time, activists like Yesenia Zamudia are fighting for the recognition of her daughter's murder as femicide, while advocating for victims' rights and organizing help for those affected. Their commitment shows that the protest will not die down, despite the challenging circumstances.

This context provides a depressing context for the violent death of Valeria Márquez, which reiterates the urgent need for action against violence against women in Mexico. The voices of protesters and affected families must be heard to bring about change that protects the lives and safety of women in Mexico and beyond.