Argentine Woman Vanishes in Cancún; Sister Seeks Answers

Cancún, Mexico — Lorena Balsamo, a 40-year-old Argentine woman from Tandil, was last seen on October 11, 2024, in Cancún, Mexico, after reportedly boarding a taxi from her residence in Villa Maya, where she lived with her husband. Her whereabouts remain unknown, and her sister Patricia has been tirelessly searching for answers without receiving responses from Mexican or Argentine authorities.

Failed Protocol and Lack of Official Support

According to the Argentine newspaper Clarín, Patricia Balsamo reported that despite attempts to activate the Alba Protocol—a mechanism designed for the urgent search of missing women—it was not implemented in Lorena’s case. Patricia also revealed that her brother-in-law received extortion messages following Lorena’s disappearance and that authorities initially refused to file a report.

Patricia further stated that after contacting the Argentine Consulate in Playa del Carmen, she received no information about the case file. “She left as if to run an errand; she didn’t even take her passport. No one disappears without reason,” Patricia said.

A Growing Pattern of Disappearances

This case adds to recent disappearances of Argentine women in Mexico, including that of María Belén Zerda, who was missing for twelve days in Cancún before being found.

The lack of progress in Lorena’s case has raised concerns about the effectiveness of cross-border cooperation in missing persons investigations. Authorities have yet to provide updates on the search efforts.