Feminists Demand Probe Into Judge Who Freed Femicide Suspect

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — The feminist collective Xtabay has called for an immediate investigation into Judge Carlos Alejandro Lima Carvajal of the Ninth Specialized Criminal Court of Quintana Roo, citing his handling of the femicide case of Ana Gómez, a worker at the Hard Rock Hotel in Puerto Aventuras, who was killed in December 2020.

Outcry Over Judicial Decision

In a public statement, the collective demanded a review of the case file to ensure the alleged perpetrator does not evade justice and accused the judiciary of complicity in gender-based violence. “Every time a judge releases a femicide suspect, they not only kill the victim again—they also kill our hope. Ana Gómez’s memory is not negotiable, justice for Ana cannot be archived, and women’s rage will not be silenced,” the group declared.

Carlos Alberto “N,” sentenced in 2022 to 25 years in prison for Ana’s murder, was recently freed after Judge Lima Carvajal overturned the conviction, citing “insufficient evidence” (Case File 42/2022–Ruling 76/2025). The decision came despite the case file containing video evidence, witness testimonies, and a confession in which the accused stated, “I needed a woman…The devil won.”

The Crime and Its Aftermath

According to the original investigation, on December 18, 2020, Ana was followed into a jungle area near the hotel, beaten against a sapote tree, and strangled. Her body was found ten days later. The case sparked protests from advocacy groups and coworkers, leading to the initial conviction. However, the defense argued procedural irregularities, prompting the judge’s reversal.

Xtabay cited statistics indicating that 99% of femicides in Mexico go unpunished. “It seems women’s lives are as disposable as poorly compiled case files, and murdering women comes at no cost…if you find the right judge,” the collective stated.

As of now, the Quintana Roo Judiciary has not issued an official response.