Puerto Rico has recorded 62 femicides so far this year, 10 of them classified as intimate-partner killings, according to the Gender Equity Observatory (Observatorio de Equidad de Género). Ilia Vázquez, who reported the figures, said recent cases in Ponce, Guaynabo and Yabucoa are still under evaluation to determine whether they fall into the intimate category.
The organization also registers two transfemicides. Vázquez said November has been "dificilísimo" (extremely difficult), with the month’s third femicide bringing the year’s total to 62. She stressed the importance of education with a gender-equity perspective, arguing that the problem requires transforming how people understand difference: that a person does not lose the right to live because they differ from someone else, do not want to be with them, or do not want to continue a relationship.
She said dignity of human life cannot be conditioned by sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity or place of birth. Vázquez said the killing reported that morning came within 24 hours of two transfemicides, calling the situation concerning.