The body of Paola Banuelos, a 23-year-old education student who went missing in Mexicali, northern Mexico, has been found days after she used the Chinese ride-hailing app DiDi. This tragic discovery has ignited outrage across Mexico, where gender violence remains a pressing issue.
Banuelos was last seen early Monday morning after leaving a bar in Mexicali, a border city adjacent to Calexico, California. She had used the DiDi app to hail a ride. On Thursday, authorities located her body in a remote area, showing signs of violence, according to a statement from the local state prosecutor.
The main suspect in the case, Sergio Gutierrez, identified as the DiDi driver, has turned himself in to authorities. Prior to surrendering, Gutierrez told local media that he had fled “out of fear” and claimed that he and his family had received threats. “People don’t really know what happened, they have ideas, they send threats,” he stated to journalists.
DiDi, China’s largest ride-hailing company, has not immediately responded to requests for comment on the incident.
This case has resonated deeply in Mexico, where gender-related violence is alarmingly prevalent. Official data indicates that at least two women are killed daily in such incidents, though activists argue the actual figure is much higher. In 2023, of the nearly 2,600 murders of women, only 827 were classified as “femicides,” or killings motivated by the victim’s gender.
The tragedy has reignited discussions about women’s safety in Mexico. Ceci Flores, leader of a Mexican rights group, expressed frustration on social media: “‘Don’t travel alone,’ ‘don’t dress like that,’ ‘don’t go out at night’…. No matter how hard they try, we are not to blame for living in a country where there are people who feel they have the right to kill us.”
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by women in Mexico and raises questions about the safety measures in place for ride-hailing services. As investigations continue, the case of Paola Banuelos serves as a somber reminder of the urgent need to address gender violence and ensure the safety of all citizens in Mexico.
