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Mexico’s state of Morelos is facing intense scrutiny over femicide and gender-based violence after four female students were murdered there since January. One of the victims was a Spanish woman participating in an exchange programme. The killings have renewed outrage among feminist campaigners across the country.
A State With One of Mexico’s Highest Femicide Rates
Morelos is a small state located just outside the capital, Mexico City. Despite its size, it carries one of the highest femicide rates in the entire country. The recent murders of four female students have brought fresh attention to a problem that activists say has gone unaddressed for far too long.
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Feminist campaigners argue that Mexico remains gripped by a deep culture of impunity. They say authorities consistently fail to hold perpetrators accountable. For many activists, the killings in Morelos are not isolated incidents but part of a broader national crisis.
Violence Against Women Persists Despite Presidential Pledge
When Claudia Sheinbaum became Mexico’s first female president in 2024, she made tackling violence against women a central commitment. Since she took office, femicide numbers have fallen. However, the figures remain deeply alarming.
So far this year, around 520 women have been murdered across Mexico. That figure reflects the scale of the ongoing crisis. While the downward trend offers some hope, advocates warn that progress remains far too slow.
Outrage Grows Among Activists
The latest killings in Morelos have sparked strong reactions from feminist groups. Campaigners say the murders highlight how gender-based violence continues to devastate communities throughout Mexico. They are calling on authorities to take stronger and more urgent action.
The death of the Spanish exchange student has also drawn international attention to the situation. Her case, alongside those of three other female students killed in the same state, has amplified pressure on both local and national officials to respond.
France 24 correspondents Quentin Duval, Laurence Cuvillier and Ed Augustin reported on the crisis in Morelos. Their coverage underlines how femicide and impunity in Mexico continue to demand serious public and political attention.
