Argentine Woman Survives 12 Days in Jungle After Extortion

Cancún, Mexico — María Belén Zerda, a 38-year-old Argentine businesswoman who disappeared in Cancún for over two weeks, has been found alive in a jungle area of Quintana Roo and safely returned to Argentina. Her case has drawn attention to the prevalence of phone extortion and digital crimes in Mexico’s top tourist destination.

Disappearance and Alleged Extortion

Zerda was last seen on April 6 before vanishing under circumstances her family attributes to a phone extortion scheme. According to her brother, Guillermo Zerda, her disappearance began after her cellphone was stolen, giving criminals access to her digital accounts, including social media and banking apps.

“They blackmailed her, harassed her. They knew where she lived, where she ate, everything about her surroundings. They frightened her so much that she decided to hide,” Guillermo told Argentine newspaper El Clarín.

Fearing for her safety, Zerda fled into a remote jungle area near Cancún, where she survived for 12 days without assistance. Her brother described her ordeal: “She was there for several days, without eating at first. Later, she told us she survived on what she could find—leaves, maybe small animals.”

Search and Discovery

Authorities launched a search operation after Zerda was reported missing on April 10. The Quintana Roo State Prosecutor’s Office activated the Alba Protocol, deploying national defense personnel, the National Guard, navy officers, state and municipal police, canine units, and drones. The search focused on green zones near Alfredo V. Bonfil and surrounding areas, including Huayacán Avenue, Chac Mool, and Luis Donaldo Colosio Boulevard.

On April 18, Zerda was found walking along Colosio Boulevard, wearing the same clothes she had on when she disappeared: a black sleeveless top, light shorts, and white-and-green Crocs. Witnesses reported she appeared disoriented but physically unharmed. The Prosecutor’s Office stated there was no evidence of illegal detention, though her family disputes the official narrative.

Family’s Criticism of Authorities

The Quintana Roo Prosecutor’s Office initially suggested Zerda may have suffered a schizophrenic episode, a claim her family vehemently denied. “She has been an athlete since she was seven, eats healthily, and avoids medication. She’s in excellent health,” Guillermo told La Nación.

He also revealed that Zerda had sent an email on the day of her disappearance warning that her accounts had been hacked. “She was threatened,” he said, emphasizing that her flight into the jungle was an act of self-preservation.

Return to Argentina

Zerda was medically evaluated in Mexico before boarding a commercial flight to Buenos Aires on April 19. She arrived at Ezeiza International Airport at 10:00 a.m., where she reunited with her family.

“First, my mother hugged her, crying. Then it was my turn. We cried together. She said, ‘Never again,’” Guillermo recounted. “It was a mix of everything: joy, but also the weight of knowing this could have ended differently.”

Diplomatic Coordination and Case Status

Mexican authorities notified Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consulate in Playa del Carmen upon Zerda’s discovery. Both agencies assisted in coordinating her return. The Quintana Roo Prosecutor’s Office has not announced whether the case will be closed or if further investigations will be pursued.

Broader Security Concerns

Zerda’s disappearance has reignited concerns about safety in Cancún, a city increasingly associated with high-impact crimes. Her family’s account of digital extortion highlights vulnerabilities faced by tourists and entrepreneurs in the region.

The businesswoman, who also worked in sports marketing and owned a bikini brand, is expected to share further details of her experience in the coming days. For now, she remains in Argentina under her family’s care, recovering from the physical and emotional toll of her ordeal.