Cancún Protests Demand Justice for Gender Violence Victims

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, family members and activists in Cancún raised their voices, demanding justice for Melissa Aurora Encima Galindo. Melissa, a mother of two, disappeared in October in Bacalar, south of Quintana Roo. She was reportedly abducted in broad daylight by three armed men in the community of Melchor Ocampo, near El Gallito.

Melissa's mother, now caring for her three grandchildren, expressed her desperation. Despite over a month passing since the incident, she claims the authorities have made no significant progress in their investigations. "No one listens to me, no one does anything. They only say that the proceedings continue," she said.

During the protest, dozens of women took to the streets of Cancún to highlight the systematic violence women face in Quintana Roo and across the country. The protesters criticized the lack of effective public policies to combat forced disappearance and gender violence.

Celina Izquierdo Sánchez, a member of Gobernanza MX, highlighted that forced disappearances, particularly of young women aged 19 to 24, represent a crisis in Mexico. "There are no effective search mechanisms. Mothers are often the ones who have to go digging to find their daughters, often finding other unknown victims. It's the pandemic of this century," she said. She also criticized Quintana Roo's authorities for their inability to effectively address these crimes.

Melissa Aurora's case is not isolated; it reflects a structural issue affecting thousands of women in Mexico. The protesters urged the authorities to stop ignoring their complaints and ensure the protection and effective search for victims. On November 25, the voices of mothers, sisters, and daughters echoed through Cancún, with the hope that justice will become more than an unfulfilled promise.