Gustavo Petro announced the 'Yulixa' bill to restrict cosmetic surgeries in Colombia

President Gustavo Petro announced the presentation of the bill called 'Yulixa', an initiative that seeks to establish that only surgeons specializing in aesthetic surgery, obtained in accredited universities, can perform these types of procedures in Colombia.

The proposal was released by the president through his X account, amid the discussion generated by the case of Yulixa Toloza, the 52-year-old woman who died after undergoing cosmetic surgery in a clinic in the south of Bogota. The event has reactivated the alerts about the existing controls in clinics dedicated to this type of procedures in the country.

In his publication, the Head of State wrote: “The government will present the Yulixa bill which seeks that no one can have cosmetic surgery unless they have a degree as a surgeon specializing in cosmetic surgery at an accredited university (sic)”. The proposal arises while investigations continue into the conditions under which the aesthetic procedure to which the woman was subjected was carried out and into the operation of the establishment where the event occurred.

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Debate on Illegal Centers and Pending Regulation

Yulixa Toloza's case once again brought into discussion the operation of clandestine aesthetic centers and the absence of controls over people who perform surgical procedures without certified specialization. Different sectors have insisted on the need for Congress to move forward with the approval of a law that establishes mandatory requirements for the operation of aesthetic clinics and for the practice of surgeries related to body treatments. The discussion has also focused on the existing regulatory gaps regarding establishments that operate without authorization or that offer invasive procedures without specialized medical supervision. The initiative announced by the Government seeks to move the project forward in the legislative process and overcome previous attempts that did not achieve final approval in Congress. Among the points that could be raised within the debate are greater health controls, surveillance over aesthetic centers, and sanctions against illegal practices.

Case Arrests and Investigation

Testimonies in the case indicate that Yulixa remained with vital signs for hours - illustrative image credit Infobae Investigations established that Yulixa Toloza underwent laser lipolysis at an establishment known as Beauty Láser, located in the south of Bogotá. Subsequently, her body was abandoned on a road in Apulo, Cundinamarca, after being missing for several days. For this case, María Fernanda Delgado Hernández and Edinson José Torres Sarmiento were captured in Maracay, identified as the owners and administrators of the aesthetic center. The authorities indicated that those involved had fled Colombia and could face charges for forced disappearance, simple kidnapping, failure to render assistance, concealment by favoring, and destruction of evidentiary material. During the judicial proceedings, those captured began to provide information about the hours following the procedure performed on the woman. According to statements included in the file, Yulixa would have remained with vital signs for several hours after the intervention.

In one of the known testimonies within the investigation, María Fernanda Delgado stated: “When they took her out in the car, she was still breathing”. Another account included in the process indicates: “Yulixa's last words were that she was very thirsty, that she regretted having the surgery, that she felt a lot of pain in her back and weakness”.

New details of the case: Forensic Medicine revealed it was a homicide

The autopsy documented fractures, hematomas and 11 wounds with a sharp element - Legal Medicine credit The forensic autopsy report prepared by Legal Medicine revealed, on Friday, May 29, new details about the death of Yulixa Toloza and documented multiple injuries in different parts of the body. According to the document known by La FM, the cause of death corresponds to a "liposuction procedure in the abdomen and back", in addition to complications derived from the injuries found. The report indicated the existence of “serious internal injuries, fractures, stab wounds, and complications associated with the cosmetic procedure she underwent.” The autopsy recorded injuries to several rib arches, bruises in the fatty tissue of the back, deep lesions in the lumbar region, and paravertebral affectations. In addition, the experts documented 11 wounds with a sharp element: four on the front and seven on the back of the body.

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Hemorrhagic lesions were also identified in neck muscles and affectations in the abdomen, thorax, armpits, back, inguinal region, sacral area, and gluteal muscles.

The known forensic findings within the investigation led to the case beginning to be analyzed under hypotheses related to homicide, while the judicial actions and the process of judicialization of those captured are advancing.