In Mexico, euthanasia is penalized and punishable by imprisonment, so any doctor or person who assists a terminally ill patient with 'suicide' could face 5 to up to 12 years in prison, according to Mexican law. Therefore, the 'Law Transcend' (Ley Trasciende) seeks to decriminalize euthanasia and reform the Health Law to allow people with chronic-degenerative, terminal, or incurable diseases to decide about their lives. The proposal states that the person must be of legal age, be of sound mind, and have two diagnoses from specialists. However, voices like that of Samara Martínez Montaño have begun to place the so-called 'Law Transcend' at the center of the debate with a powerful idea: 'It is better to have the right and not need it, than to need it and not have it.' This phrase summarizes not only a personal demand but a collective one: that access to a dignified death should no longer depend on money, family context, or fear of legal consequences, and should be recognized as a right for people with incurable or degenerative diseases. Worldwide, it is estimated that in the last 30 years more than 73 million people have lived with an incurable or terminal illness, and 80% of these cases were in low- and middle-income countries, according to a study by 'The Lancet Global Health'. In an interview with Publimetro, Samara Martínez, who promotes the decriminalization and legalization of euthanasia in Mexico, insisted that her country must take this step forward, just as other nations in Latin America have: Colombia, Paraguay, Peru (through court rulings), Uruguay, and some parts of Canada or the United States. 'I am 31 years old and since I was 16 I have lived with chronic-degenerative diseases. I have lost four organs, had two failed transplants, undergone hemodialysis and more than 10 surgeries,' explained the activist. For Samara Martínez, the legalization of euthanasia in Mexico is a tribute to life until the end of a person's days, as her legislative proposal will benefit others and prevent them from suffering unnecessarily. 'Death is something that will touch us all. No one knows if they will face a serious illness,' she pointed out. When will the Law Transcend be presented? Samara Martínez recalled that it was in October 2025 when the 'Law Transcend' was presented in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, since then, dialogues have been held. 'On April 23, we will begin the formal debate in the Senate of the Republic, this in order to seek the bill's ruling,' noted the activist. Therefore, she detailed that on those days, experts, patients, and specialists will participate, with the aim of reaching conclusions and for the Health Commission to rule on the feasibility of euthanasia legalization. 'If the ruling is achieved, it will move to the next legislative process, this towards September or October. Today I depend on a machine 10 hours a day, I know my life expectancy is short,' Samara Martínez Montaño - Activist Promoter of the Law Transcend. This law seeks a human right that benefits us all: it is better to have it and not need it than not have it and need it. The discussion of euthanasia in Mexico has been maintained for years between taboo, controversy, and lack of political will. It does not yet mean it will be approved, but it would be a great step forward,' she concluded. Data: In Mexico, neurological diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis affect more than 6,000 people, causing severe and progressive disability, limiting mobility, communication, and breathing with a reduced life expectancy. It is estimated that in our country, about 1.3 million Mexicans suffer from Alzheimer's, a disease that represents 60% to 70% of dementia cases and mainly affects people over 65 years old, and by 2050 it could reach 3.5 million. Phrase: 'I am 31 years old and since I was 16 I have lived with chronic-degenerative diseases.'
