A Colombian woman whose story has moved the nation is now asking to end her life through euthanasia after surviving a brutal acid attack in Bogotá. María Consuelo Córdoba shared her painful journey in an interview with Citytv, a television network owned by the same media group as the newspaper El Tiempo.
Córdoba explained that she spent three years in the hospital recovering from the severe burns and disfigurement caused by the attack. During that time, she underwent approximately 87 surgical procedures in an effort to repair the extensive damage to her face and body.
Despite the many operations, she says the physical and emotional toll of her ordeal has become unbearable, leading her to formally request euthanasia — a legal medical procedure in Colombia for patients suffering from unrelenting pain or terminal conditions, under strict judicial and medical review. Colombia was the first country in Latin America to decriminalize the practice, and it remains a deeply debated issue there.
Acid attacks, though relatively rare, have drawn increasing attention in Colombia in recent years, sparking public outrage and calls for stronger legal protections for survivors, many of whom are women targeted in cases linked to gender-based violence.
Córdoba’s case has reignited conversations about victim support, justice, and the right to a dignified death. To read her full story and watch her testimony, visit the original report on El Tiempo’s website.
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