Authorities Offer Protection to Mexican Singer After Drug Cartel Threat

Valeria Marquez, a 23-year-old beauty influencer, was shot dead while live-streaming on TikTok at a salon in Zapopan, Mexico, on May 13, 2025. The incident, which has sparked outrage across the country, is being investigated as a femicide, according to the Jalisco state prosecutor. Witnesses state that Marquez was seen moments before her death seated at a table, discussing an unidentified visitor who had arrived with an “expensive gift.” During the livestream, she expressed concern about this visitor before her phone recorded a shooting shortly after she muted the session. A person allegedly stole her phone moments after the shooting, further complicating the investigation. Marquez had built a substantial following of approximately 200,000 on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where she showcased her beauty and makeup skills. Data from the United Nations highlights Mexico as having one of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the world, with the country tied for the fourth highest rates of femicide in Latin America.

Valeria Márquez, a 23-year-old Mexican beauty influencer, was fatally shot during a TikTok live stream on May 14, in what authorities are investigating as a case of femicide, according to the Jalisco state prosecutor. The incident occurred at Márquez's beauty salon in Zapopan, where she was seen moments before her death expressing concern about an unnamed person delivering an "expensive gift." The disturbing live stream captured Márquez sitting with a stuffed toy, saying, “They’re coming,” before she muted the audio just prior to the shooting. The prosecutor's statement did not name any suspects in the case. Márquez, who boasted nearly 200,000 combined followers on social media, had previously expressed unease regarding unexpected visitors. As Mexico grapples with alarming rates of gender-based violence, the killing highlights the ongoing crisis of femicide in the country. Data from the United Nations indicates that Mexico has one of the highest rates of femicide in Latin America, with 1.3 such deaths per 100,000 women reported in 2023.

Yesenia Lara Gutiérrez, a mayoral candidate in Veracruz, Mexico, was killed on Sunday night when gunfire erupted during her campaign march. Gutiérrez was shot alongside three others in Texistepec, where she had been engaging with supporters during a live-streamed event on Facebook. The sound of approximately 20 gunshots can be heard in the video, which remains accessible on her page, illustrating the abrupt shift from celebration to chaos. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the attack during a press briefing, stating that authorities have yet to ascertain the motive behind the violence but are coordinating efforts with state officials. “We’re coordinating... and with all the support needed during this electoral period,” she emphasized, referring to the upcoming elections in Veracruz and Durango. This incident is part of a disturbing trend, as political violence against candidates has surged in Mexico. Data Cívica reported 661 such attacks last year, underscoring the dangerous environment in which many politicians operate. Veracruz Governor Rocío Nahle expressed her commitment to pursuing justice, stating on X, “No position or office is worth a person’s life.”