María Elena Ríos, a saxophonist, feminist activist, and survivor of an acid attack and now alternate deputy for Morena, is at the center of controversy for allegedly assaulting a woman at Reforma Hospital in Oaxaca. The incident occurred on the night of December 19, when Ríos and her sister, Silvia Ríos, reportedly attacked a 23-year-old woman named Andrea Montserrat Ramos Gómez. The Ríos sisters accused Montserrat of being an associate of Juan Antonio Vera Carrizal, the man alleged to have orchestrated the 2019 acid attack against Ríos.

Details of the Incident

Surveillance footage from Reforma Hospital shows Ríos and her sister physically assaulting Montserrat. The video depicts punches, kicks, and an act of public humiliation and sexual assault as Montserrat’s clothing, including her underwear, was torn off during the altercation.

Montserrat sustained visible injuries, including a bleeding forehead, scratches, and bruises on her face and neck. She later claimed that Ríos mistook her for Vera Carrizal’s relative, but reports suggest they had encountered each other previously.

Andrea Montserrat Ramos Gómez, a woman with visible injuries on her face and neck, lies on a hospital bed wearing a neck brace, with close-ups of her face showing scratches, bruises, and bleeding wounds.
Andrea Montserrat Ramos Gómez, photographed with visible injuries, including facial scratches, bruises, and a bleeding wound, following the alleged assault by María Elena Ríos and her sister Silvia at Reforma Hospital in Oaxaca.

Ríos’ Response

Ríos addressed the incident on her social media accounts, stating that she and her sister were provoked and attacked first. She accused Vera Carrizal of orchestrating the confrontation and claimed that Montserrat acted as a shield to protect him. Ríos called on President Claudia Sheinbaum and Oaxaca officials to intervene, citing systemic corruption and a lack of government accountability.

Andrea Montserrat’s Response

Montserrat has pursued legal action against Ríos and Silvia, accusing them of physical assault and public humiliation. She asserts that Ríos mistook her for Vera Carrizal’s relative, although some reports indicate they had prior disputes. Montserrat denies provoking the attack and highlights the severity of her injuries.

Public and Media Reactions

The hospital incident has sparked widespread debate. On social media, some defend Ríos as a victim of systemic violence, while others criticize her actions as excessive and unprovoked. Critics question her credibility as a feminist activist, pointing to this incident as part of a pattern of confrontational behavior.

Mexican media outlets, however, have largely focused on Ríos’ ongoing battle for justice in the acid attack case. Infobae recently covered her claims about Vera Carrizal’s alleged illegal release but omitted any reference to the hospital altercation. The lack of coverage on the recent incident raises concerns about selective reporting and accountability in high-profile cases.

Ríos’ Contradictions in the Reforma Hospital Incident

Elena Ríos has frequently claimed to fear for her life due to alleged threats from associates of Juan Antonio Vera Carrizal, the man she accuses of orchestrating the 2019 acid attack against her. She has described Vera as a powerful, connected, and wealthy individual capable of directing harm against her even from prison. For example, on September 15, 2023, Ríos reported being attacked by sounds of gunshots while traveling from Mexico City to Oaxaca under federal security protection, framing the incident as part of a larger pattern of threats orchestrated by Vera.

Despite these claims of constant danger, Ríos’ actions during the Reforma Hospital incident appear contradictory. She voluntarily went to the hospital late at night, where Vera was present, accusing the 61-year-old, who has been in prison since 2020, of faking his need for medical care and declaring him “healthy.” While protesting Vera’s presence in the hospital, Ríos and her sister became involved in an altercation with Andrea Montserrat Ramos Gómez. The confrontation escalated after Montserrat attempted to push away a camera recording her without her consent.

María Elena Ríos, wearing a blue shirt and face mask, holds a handwritten sign that reads, “Presidenta Claudia: El Gob. de Oaxaca va a dar la fuga a Juan Antonio Vera Carrizal,” in a protest setting near Reforma Hospital in Oaxaca.
María Elena Ríos protests outside Reforma Hospital in Oaxaca, accusing the state government of facilitating the escape of Juan Antonio Vera Carrizal (Photo: Jorge A. Pérez / La Jornada)

Ríos’ willingness to confront Vera in person at the hospital raises questions about the consistency of her claims of fear. If Vera is as powerful and dangerous as she asserts, why does she feel confident enough to confront him directly in public, at night, without apparent concern for her safety? These contradictions complicate Ríos’ narrative, casting doubt on whether her actions align with her repeated claims of being a constant target of harm.

The Ríos Family’s Troubled Past and Broader Implications

The Reforma Hospital altercation does not mark the first time authorities have linked Elena Ríos and her family to allegations of violence. Evidence suggests a longstanding pattern of aggressive behavior and criminal allegations involving multiple family members.

On June 5, 2012, Isabel Oliva Martínez Romero filed a formal complaint (LI 1007/HL/2012) against María Elena Ríos and her sister Silvia with the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Huajuapan de León, Oaxaca. Martínez alleged that the sisters had beaten and seriously injured her the day prior. On April 7, 2013, authorities launched an investigation (LI 606/HL/2013) into “aggravated gang assault” involving members of the Ríos Ortiz family, including Elena Rios, against Gonzalo Martínez Soriano and his relatives.

On May 9 2015, their brother Carlos Ríos Ortiz fatally stabbed 18-year-old Juan Carlos Durán Carrasco. Witnesses testified to the Public Prosecutor’s Office (1411/HL/2015), implicating Carlos in the murder. These events led to the family’s excommunication from the community, according to reports in local Oaxaca publications.

  • A blurred-out image of Carlos Ríos Ortiz with text labeling him an “Asesino” (Murderer), alongside case information marked as “EXPEDIENTE:12/FMIA/2015.”
    Carlos Ríos Ortiz, brother of María Elena Ríos, was accused of fatally stabbing 18-year-old Juan Carlos Durán Carrasco in 2015. The case, registered under “EXPEDIENTE:12/FMIA/2015,” led to the excommunication of the Ríos family from Santo Domingo Tonalá.
  • A newspaper clipping from El Sol del Istmo titled “Muere tras riña” (Dies After Fight), describing the events surrounding the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Juan Carlos Durán Carrasco in Santo Domingo Tonalá in 2015, allegedly involving Carlos Ríos Ortiz.
    A 2015 El Sol del Istmo article titled “Muere tras riña” reports on the death of Juan Carlos Durán Carrasco, an 18-year-old fatally stabbed in Santo Domingo Tonalá. Carlos Ríos Ortiz, brother of María Elena Ríos, was implicated in the incident, which led to the Ríos family’s excommunication from the community.

Challenges of Justice and Accountability

The case of María Elena Ríos exemplifies the complexities of justice and accountability in high-profile cases. While Ríos has been a vocal advocate for survivors of violence, her actions and her family’s troubling history raise serious concerns about her public image and suitability for political office. Moving forward, ensuring transparency and fairness in addressing these allegations is critical for restoring trust in Mexico’s justice system.

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