Arturo “N” sent to trial for Paola Buenrostro murder as case reclassified as transfemicide

The killing of Paola Buenrostro has been reclassified as feminicide, a decision activists described as historic for transgender people in Mexico. Arturo “N” was ordered to stand trial as the alleged person responsible, activist Kenya Cuevas said after the case’s second hearing.

“Today it was classified as feminicide. It must be recognized that when the prosecutor’s office listens, it has a different impact,” Cuevas said. She was a friend of Buenrostro and witnessed the transfemicide.

Cuevas said the hearing recognized sex work as work and considered a recommendation linked to the case of Vicky Hernández, an international reference in cases of transfemicide. Before the hearing, she reported violence against herself and other activists and said she had received death threats.

“

Today it was classified as feminicide. It must be recognized that when the prosecutor’s office listens, it has a different impact.

Trans activists protested outside investigative police offices, where some walls were marked with messages. Riot-control officers from the Mexico City Security Secretariat were deployed with helmets and shields after protests and violent incidents during the previous week.

Victoria Sámano, director of the Lleca association, criticized the prosecutor’s office, saying, “We are not violence, violence is this prosecutor’s office that did not recognize the gender identity of Kenya Cuevas and Paola Buenrostro.” Activists also demanded the removal of Brenda Bazán, the investigative prosecutor for feminicide cases, whom they blamed for initially classifying Buenrostro’s killing as homicide. Cuevas later thanked those who demonstrated for justice and respect for the victims’ gender identity.

“

We are not violence, violence is this prosecutor’s office that did not recognize the gender identity of Kenya Cuevas and Paola Buenrostro.