Four female students have been murdered in Mexico’s Morelos state since January, including Spanish exchange student Claudia Tacoronte, according to France 24. The killings have drawn renewed anger from feminist campaigners, who say gender-based violence and impunity remain widespread.
The students attended the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos. A September report by EL PAÍS identified the other three as Kimberly Ramos, Karol Toledo and Michelle Fuentes.
Morelos, a small state just outside Mexico City, has one of the country’s highest femicide rates, France 24 reported. The cases have become a focus of protest and criticism from campaigners concerned about the response to violence against women.
National figures remain high
France 24 reported that around 520 women had been murdered in Mexico so far in 2026. The report said femicides have declined since Claudia Sheinbaum became the country’s first female president in 2024, when she pledged to address violence against women, but remain at alarming levels.
Tacoronte’s alleged killer was arrested in Cuautla in September, according to EL PAÍS. The arrest was reported as an investigation update; it does not establish a conviction.
France 24’s report on the Morelos cases was published on November 13. It included accounts from feminist campaigners who said Mexico continues to face gender-based violence and a culture of impunity.
Clayton Ward