Esmeralda, a minor who was sexually abused by a close relative, became pregnant and suffered a miscarriage of a fetus at 36 weeks of gestation. Now, the Prosecutor's Office of Querétaro intends to bring her to trial for homicide, despite the tragedy the young girl faced.
Esmeralda's situation has sparked strong criticism of the Mexican judicial system. The Prosecutor's Office, led by Víctor Antonio de Jesús Hernández, is determined to take the minor to trial, which has been questioned due to the lack of a gender perspective and the re-victimization Esmeralda suffers in this process.
Various figures reveal the reality of sexual violence in Mexico, such as the concerning statistic that in 2020, around 8,876 minors under the age of 14 became mothers due to rape. However, the lack of access to abortion in cases of rape is a problem in some states, including Querétaro.
Esmeralda, a 14-year-old indigenous minor, was raped in 2022 by her cousin, who threatened her not to report the incident. After becoming pregnant unknowingly and suffering a miscarriage, the situation was complicated when she was accused of homicide by the Prosecutor's Office, claiming that the fetus was suffocated at birth.
In light of this scenario, voices have risen calling for justice and protection for Esmeralda. Claudia Sheinbaum has urged not to criminalize the minor, and an oral trial is expected to be opened to clarify the facts. The case has prompted the intervention of various authorities seeking a solution that respects the young girl's rights.
