Accused in Acid Attack Case Asks Mexico's Supreme Court to Return Proceedings to Oaxaca

The pursuit of justice for María Elena Ríos, a saxophonist brutally attacked with acid in 2019, continues to face significant legal hurdles as the defense for the accused instigator, former congressman Juan Antonio Vera Carrizal, seeks to shift the case back to Oaxaca's local courts. This plea to the Supreme Court of Justice marks another complex turn in a case that has galvanized Mexico's fight against gender-based violence and corrosive substance attacks.

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There are already judicial resolutions that favor my client, but they were overturned through irregular means, which prevented the case from being closed and escalated the matter to the Highest Court of Justice.

From our perspective here in Mexico, the 'Ley Malena,' reforms enacted in Ríos's name, represent a crucial step forward in recognizing and punishing these heinous crimes. However, the protracted legal battles, including Vera Carrizal's claims of political and economic motivations behind the prosecution and Ríos's demand for substantial damages, underscore the deep-seated challenges in ensuring comprehensive justice for victims. The defense's argument that the case has been stalled for two years without progress in its current federal stage warrants serious consideration, even as we remain vigilant against any attempts to undermine the severity of the alleged crime.

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The process has been used for political purposes and there are economic interests surrounding the file.

María Elena Ríos herself has become a powerful advocate, courageously speaking out against the obstacles she has faced in accessing justice. Her public protests, even during official events, highlight the urgency and the public's demand for accountability. While the Supreme Court weighs the jurisdictional question, the broader narrative in Mexico remains one of solidarity with Ríos and a continued commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of acid attacks are brought to justice and that victims receive the full support they deserve. This case is not just a legal proceeding; it is a national conversation about violence, impunity, and the unwavering strength of survivors.

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The case has been used for political purposes and there are disputes over the compensation requested by the victim.