After surviving two assassination attempts, Dr. Gorrostieta, 36, was tortured and killed by a Mexican drug cartel, her body left in a ditch. She became a target of violent cartels after being elected mayor of rural district Tiquicheo in 2008. Though she resigned as mayor in 2011, the threats continued, culminating in her abduction and horrific murder. Despite the constant threats, she bravely refused to back down from her fight against the cartels. After the second attempt on her life, an attack that forced her to wear a colostomy bag and endure chronic pain, she said this:
“I wanted to show them my wounded, mutilated, humiliated body, because I’m not ashamed of it, because it is the product of the great misfortunes that have scarred my life, that of my children and my family.
Despite my own safety and that of my family, what occupies my mind is my responsibility towards my people, the children, the women, the elderly and the men who break their souls every day without rest to find a piece of bread for their children.
Freedom brings with it responsibilities and I don’t dare fall behind. My long road is not yet finished – the footprint that we leave behind in our country depends on the battle that we lose and the loyalty we put into it.”
Truly amazing. Twitterers are paying tribute to this incredible, brave woman:
Say a prayer for the family of this brave woman:dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2…
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) November 28, 2012
If you don’t know who Maria Santos Gorrostieta was, look her up. The ‘heroine of the 21st century’. A remarkable woman of great courage.
— Christian Guy (@ChristianGuy_) November 28, 2012
Amazing story of courage and ultimately taken too soon.Maria Santos Gorrostieta the female mexican mayor who stood up to the cartels
— Jeremy(@JeremyMacNevin) November 28, 2012
A great loss to us all. Maria Santos Gorrostieta ‘executed’ after surviving two assassination attempts bit.ly/TfYsMN via @mailonline
— Rockermom (@therockermom) November 28, 2012
Massive respect for this woman.Prayers go out to her friends & family. dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2…
— Saif Shah (@isaifshah) November 28, 2012
maria santos #gorrostieta, what an inspirational woman and so sad the drug gangs in mexico assassinated her after trying twice B4. #tragedy
— Jean Worsley (@jeanworsley) November 28, 2012
They got her in endBrave mayor who stood up to brutal drugs gangs is assassinated at third attempt mirr.im/TtkgrK via @dailymirror RIP
— a2burns (@a2burns) November 28, 2012
RIP Dr Maria Santos Gorrostieta (Mexico) instagr.am/p/SlPaQitisZ/
— UgoCentRiC (@UgoCentRiC) November 28, 2012
Here’s a Person of the Year, TIME RT @melissaonline:36yo Maria Santos Gorrostieta stood up to cartels; beaten t death fxn.ws/Ucgfpd
— Nigel Cameron (@nigelcameron) November 28, 2012
RIP Maria Santos Gorrostieta. brave #woman and the true #heroine from #Mexico
— Nebojsa Mitrovic (@i_am_nebojsa) November 28, 2012
RIP Maria Santos Gorrostieta.A truly remarkable and brave lady.
— Max (@purr2012) November 28, 2012
Maria Santos Gorrostieta. Talk about a fearless woman. Rest peacefully.
— Trillary Duff (@AGirlCalledAdri) November 28, 2012
RIP, Dr. Gorrostieta. We pray that her family finds peace.
