A 21-year-old student from the Canary Islands, studying Early Childhood Education at the University of Granada, was murdered last weekend in the city of Cuautla, in Mexico, where she had been participating in a university mobility program for a month. According to the authorities of the country, the young woman was the victim of a violent assault and died from multiple stab wounds.
Claudia Tacoronte Aguilera, a native of Santa Brígida (Gran Canaria), was in her fourth year of studies and had moved to Mexico in August for a stay at the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos. The incident, which occurred on Saturday night, is being investigated as a femicide although the motive of the attack is currently unknown, although some media outlets in the country suggest it could be a violent robbery. The young woman was in the vicinity of the Casa de la Cultura and apparently sought refuge inside the building, where she was found with multiple stab wounds. Paramedics who arrived at the scene found her lifeless body.
The Casa de la Cultura in the municipality of Cuautla was celebrating the National Medicinal Plant Festival this past weekend, an event that promotes traditional medicine and brings together experts from across the country.
Currently, the University of Granada (UGR) has 3,000 students spread across different destinations worldwide in its various exchange and mobility programs, and also receives several thousand students, making it one of the most international universities in Spain. There are around twenty students from the UGR in Mexico.
The governor of Morelos, Margarita González Saravia, confirmed the crime and stated that state authorities have been in contact with the Spanish Consulate in Mexico to provide support and assistance to the family of the young woman, who was in the country as part of an academic exchange at the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos (UAEM).
The UAEM expressed in a statement its "deep indignation" at the death of the student, identified as Claudia Tacoronte Aguilera, who was "carrying out an academic exchange program" at the institution and "unfortunately fell victim to femicide at the Casa de la Cultura in Cuautla."
"The Autonomous University of the State of Morelos expresses its sincerest condolences to her family, friends, classmates, to the University of Granada, her originating institution, as well as to the Government and Spanish society," stated the university.
It emphasized that the university activated "the corresponding institutional protocols and mechanisms" upon learning of the events to "maintain open channels of communication and assistance with the family, through the University of Granada and with the Spanish consular authorities, as well as to address any necessary requirements within their respective jurisdictions."
The UAEM also called on the General Prosecutor's Office of Morelos and the competent authorities for "an immediate, thorough investigation with a strict gender perspective" to ensure justice and prevent impunity, urging for "responsible and sensitive action" in addressing the case and reporting on what happened.
As reported by Afp, Claudia Tacoronte Aguilera was attacked with a bladed weapon. The Spanish student was at the National Medicinal Plant Festival on Saturday when she was the victim of "an alleged robbery with a bladed weapon," as reported by the local Casa de Cultura, where the event was taking place.
Governor González Saravia lamented the death of the young woman and expressed her "solidarity" with her family, loved ones, and the UAEM community, noting in a statement on social media that "since the events were known, the competent authorities have been working in a coordinated manner on the case."
"The State Attorney General's Office initiated the investigation and activated the corresponding protocols; that institution will be responsible for determining the circumstances of what happened and, if applicable, the responsibilities," highlighted the governor of Morelos.
González Saravia assured that the authorities will contribute "to clarifying the events" and work to improve the security conditions for women, young people, and members of the university community in Morelos."
The Attorney General of Morelos, Fernando Blumenkron, stated to the press that "the State Attorney General's Office intervened from the first moment in the body retrieval with a femicide protocol, which is one of the instructions given for any violent death of a woman." "We are in the investigations," he concluded.
University of Granada condemns the murder
The University of Granada expressed its repudiation and condemnation on Monday and extended its "deepest condolences, solidarity, and affection" to the family, friends, and colleagues of the young woman "in these moments of profound pain," and called for a minute of silence at 11:00 a.m. at the entrance of all University of Granada workplaces.
"As a public institution committed to knowledge transfer, the defense of human rights, and the construction of critical thinking, the University of Granada reiterates the imperative need to eradicate all forms of violence against women," it stated.
The Government team of the University of Granada has made itself available to the Spanish consular authorities in Mexico, as well as to the family of the young woman, to provide the necessary support at this time.
The Rector of the University of Granada, Pedro Mercado, expressed his "deep sadness" and "institutional outrage" over this murder, and offered to assist and accompany the family in this difficult time and during the trip to Mexico.
Subsequently, the president of the association of Public Universities of Andalusia and Rector of the Pablo de Olavide University in Seville, Francisco Oliva, explained that they are considering the steps to take regarding other students currently in Mexico participating in mobility programs. In statements to Europa Press, Oliva admitted to being in "shock" after learning of the "terrible" news. Mexico, he recalled, is one of the favorite destinations for students choosing to study in Latin America.
In a joint statement, the public universities of Andalusia demanded a "transparent and expeditious investigation that allows for justice to be served as soon as possible."
"We share this pain and dismay with the entire university community of Granada and with those who welcomed her during her stay. The public universities of Andalusia join in her memory, reaffirm our commitment to the dignity of individuals, the urgent need for peaceful coexistence, and the rejection of all forms of violence, especially against women simply for being women," the institutions added in the statement sent to the media.