Andrea Montserrat Ramos Gómez Fights for Justice as Mexico’s Feminist Organizations Defend Her Aggressor Elena Rios

Andrea Montserrat Ramos Gómez, the young woman assaulted at Reforma Hospital, has bravely stepped forward to demand justice after a brutal attack involving María Elena Ríos, her sister Silvia Ríos, and the federal police. The December 19th incident has ignited public outrage, not only for its brutality but also for the glaring hypocrisy and misuse of public resources surrounding Ríos’ actions.

The Assault at Reforma Hospital

Montserrat endured a horrifying ordeal. She endured physical injuries, with marks covering her face and body, and the attackers destroyed her phone while forcibly dragging her from the hospital. Elena Ríos appears on CCTV ripping off Andrea’s underwear—a blatant act of sexual violence that no circumstances justify. Andrea has since filed a criminal complaint against Elena Ríos, Silvia Ríos, and the federal police involved, expressing fear for her life and holding Ríos accountable for any future harm.

▶ Andrea Ramos, pareja del abogado de Juan Vera Carrizal, señalado como el agresor de María Elena Ríos, interpondrá una denuncia contra la saxofonista, su hermana y dos agentes policiacos por la agresión física que sufrió

📺 #Milenio16h con @DanyMartin91 y @joel_valdezn pic.twitter.com/FH4r0uP6Qi

— Milenio (@Milenio) December 20, 2024

In her victim impact statement, Montserrat spoke about the trauma and asked why no one stopped to help her. She asked, “What would have happened if they had taken me away in their truck?” Her bravery in standing up to politically connected aggressors highlights the systemic failures that leave victims vulnerable in Mexico.

Las Brujas del Mar’s Defense of Ríos: A Betrayal of Feminist Principles

Las Brujas del Mar, a prominent feminist collective in Mexico, is under fire for defending Ríos following allegations of physical and sexual assault against Andrea. While the group is known for championing women’s rights, their selective advocacy reveals glaring contradictions that undermine the feminist principles they claim to uphold.

Es un ASCO que medios de comunicación se presten a las narrativas que imponen los agresores de Male. Más de cinco años lleva lidiando con el acoso, las campañas de desprestigio y las agresiones por parte de la gente que busca proteger y lavarle la cara al hombre que quiso… https://t.co/jOpdkm7SVw

— Las brujas del mar (@brujasdelmar) December 20, 2024

It must be noted that Las Brujas del Mar have been accused of transphobia multiple times. The collective previously pressured the removal of an article by journalist and trans woman Láurel Miranda and has faced criticism for its exclusionary stance toward LGBTQ+ individuals. These accusations align with broader critiques of their feminism being limited to specific, often privileged, groups.

Additionally, troubling allegations have surfaced regarding the group’s ties to Javier Lozano Alarcón, a member of the far-right organization El Yunque. Lozano’s son, accused of sexual abuse, reportedly received their support—a pattern that echoes their defense of Mexican YouTuber Yoseline Hoffman. Hoffman, known as YosStop, admitted to storing and distributing a video of a 16-year-old’s sexual assault but received public backing from Las Brujas del Mar.

In defending Ríos, the group extends its track record of shielding individuals accused of violence or misconduct. Ríos, who claims to be a feminist activist, is accused of not only physically assaulting Andrea but also orchestrating a humiliating and sexualized attack. Despite video evidence, Las Brujas del Mar has justified Ríos’ actions, framing her as a perpetual victim.

Their selective outrage—staunchly defending Ríos while ignoring the harm done to Montserrat—highlights their inconsistent application of feminist ideals. Feminism must demand accountability, not shield perpetrators based on convenience. By aligning with figures like Ríos, Las Brujas del Mar compromises the integrity of their movement and reinforces damaging double standards.

Hypocrisy and Double Standards in Ríos’ Defense

Ríos has attempted to frame Montserrat as the aggressor by citing alleged prior provocations and linking her to political affiliations. Yet, her defense rings hollow. Would anyone justify the acid attack against Ríos by pointing to her alleged affair with a married man? A married politician, no less? Of course not—and rightly so. Victimhood does not grant impunity to perpetuate violence, especially when it involves taxpayer-funded resources.

Elena claims her attack on Montserrat is justified, arguing that Montserrat has ties to her alleged assailant’s lawyer and Morena’s party, citing photos as proof. However, by the same reasoning, Elena’s own actions could face similar scrutiny. She has repeatedly appeared in photos with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, attended several events with the president, and serves as a substitute deputy within Morena’s party.

Ríos’ use of federal police provided by public funds to carry out this assault raises a troubling question: Should public resources protect victims or enable aggressors? The government paid for Ríos’ medical expenses after her acid attack—a testament to its support for victims of violence. Now, as a Morena substitute deputy, Ríos uses her political platform and security detail to incite violence at a hospital, disrupting staff, patients, and operations.

A Documented History of Violence

This is not the first time Ríos and her family have faced allegations of violence:

• June 5, 2012: Case no. LI 1007/HL/2012

  Isabel Oliva Martínez Romero reported Ríos Ortiz and his sister Silvia to the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Local Agency in Huajuapan de León, Oaxaca. According to her complaint, they had assaulted her the previous day, leaving her with serious injuries.

  

• April 7, 2013: Case no. LI 606/HL/2013

  Authorities opened an investigation into an “aggravated gang assault” allegedly carried out by the saxophonist and members of his family against Gonzalo Martínez Soriano and his relatives.

  

• 2015: Case no. 1411/HL/2015

  Ríos’ brother, Carlos Ríos Ortiz, fatally stabbed an 18-year-old, leading to the family’s excommunication from Santo Domingo Tonalá.

  

Andrea Montserrat Ramos Gómez’s case is the latest in this troubling pattern of violence, exposing systemic misuse of power and public resources by the Ríos family.

The Ley Malena Controversy and Its Connection to Montserrat‘s Case

The Ley Malena controversy demonstrates how Ríos has weaponized her elevated status to overshadow other survivors and benefit from political favoritism. Her close ties to Morena have enabled her to monopolize a movement built on the pain and advocacy of many other women. This favoritism has allowed her to act with impunity, even as she violates the rights of other women, all while portraying herself as a champion for survivors.

Andrea Montserrat Ramos Gómez’s case is a glaring example of this injustice. While María Elena Ríos has gained media attention, political backing, and exclusive privileges, Montserrat has faced silence and ridicule. Other women who have spoken out against Ríos have experienced dismissal, victim-blaming, and public silencing because they lack political connections or special laws named after them.

Morena’s elevation of Ríos as a political asset has emboldened her to act without accountability. The decision to rename the Acid Law as Ley Malena—without consulting other survivors—shows how her narrative has been used to serve political interests rather than advance the collective fight for justice. Survivors like Carmen Sánchez, who have spent years advocating for recognition and punishment of acid attacks, were ignored in favor of centering Ríos. This erasure mirrors the silencing Andrea faces as she seeks justice against a politically connected figure.

Montserrat’s courage in coming forward highlights the stark hypocrisy in Ríos’ advocacy. While Ríos claims to fight for women, her actions and Morena’s complicity have undermined other survivors and enabled her to violate the very principles of justice and equality she pretends to champion. The stark contrast between Montserrat’s struggle and Ríos’ privileges exposes a broken system, where political assets are protected, and true advocates are silenced. Justice must serve all women, not just those with connections.

Media Silence and Public Debate

Most Mexican media outlets have focused on Ríos’ protests against her alleged attacker, Juan Antonio Vera Carrizal, while ignoring Montserrat’s victimization. This selective reporting portrays Ríos as a perpetual victim while silencing Montserrat’s plea for justice. The media narrative, amplified by Ríos’ political status, paints an incomplete picture that ignores her history of aggression.

Andrea Montserrat Ramos Gómez deserves justice, not silence. Her courage in filing a complaint against a politically powerful figure underscores her determination to hold her attackers accountable. Meanwhile, María Elena Ríos’ actions—and the defense offered by Las Brujas del Mar—undermine the very principles of justice and equality they claim to champion.

The Reforma Hospital incident demands transparency and accountability. Feminist organizations, political leaders, and media outlets must reflect on their double standards. Justice cannot be selective. It must serve all women, including those like Montserrat, who face violence and oppression at the hands of those who claim to protect them.