María Consuelo Córdoba, a Colombian woman whose face was severely disfigured in an acid attack in Bogotá 26 years ago, has changed course after recently making headlines with her request to undergo euthanasia.
Córdoba had gone public about wanting to end her life through Colombia’s legal euthanasia process, citing the chronic health complications left by the chemical attack, which damaged her nose, mouth, and chin. Her story spread widely after she asked for help accessing the procedure, drawing national attention to the long-term physical and emotional toll of acid attacks — a form of gender-based violence that has affected hundreds of women in Colombia over the past few decades, often carried out by former partners.
According to recent reports, Córdoba has now withdrawn her euthanasia request. Instead, she says she will undergo a new round of reconstructive surgeries aimed at improving her condition, and described herself as feeling hopeful about the decision.
Her case has reignited public debate in Colombia about support systems for acid attack survivors, including access to reconstructive treatment, psychological care, and legal protections for victims of chemical violence.
To read the full story and follow her journey in her own words, check out the original report from El Tiempo.
Source: María Consuelo Córdoba, mujer que sufrió ataque con ácido, desistió de la eutanasia y se someterá a nuevas cirugías (eltiempo.com). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: Presidencia de la República Mexicana, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).