The recent court decision that found guilty the former drummer of the famous Colombian band Tres de Corazón, Felipe Muñoz, for the crime of abortion without consent has generated great controversy in the country. Muñoz was accused by his ex-partner Milena Uribe of supplying her with an abortifacient drug without her knowledge or consent. The legal battle, which has lasted six years, has finally concluded with justice for the victim.
It all started in 2018 when Milena confessed to Felipe that she was pregnant. He insistently repeated that she should have an abortion but Milena refused every time. In an attempt to coerce her, he tricked her into consuming misoprostol, a drug that can induce abortion. Milena discovered the foreign substance in her drink and was taken to a hospital where the ingestion of the drug and the abortion were confirmed.
In the first instance Muñoz was acquitted. However, the Superior Court of Medellín overturned this decision and convicted him, arguing that there was evidence and testimony that proved his guilt in this crime.
This case is an example of the sad reality of violence and control in intimate partner relationships. Society continues to face enormous challenges in eradicating machista violence and guaranteeing women’s rights. But this ruling sends a powerful message that gender-based violence will not be tolerated or justified.