Feminist Violence on International Women's Day in Latin America

Feminist Violence on International Women’s Day in Latin America

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May 2, 2025

International Women’s Day (IWD) originally was designed to commemorate the progress in assuring gender equality for women. In recent years, however, IWD increasingly has been marked by acts of destruction of property, confrontations with the police, and violence. Following are accounts from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru of the IWD events held on March 8, 2025.

ARGENTINA

During the International Women’s Day marches in Argentina, particularly in Buenos Aires, there were reports of confrontations between protesters and law enforcement. Some demonstrators attempted to breach security barriers near the Casa Rosada, leading to police responses involving tear gas and rubber bullets. These actions resulted in multiple injuries and detentions.

In Córdoba, similar incidents occurred when protesters clashed with police forces, leading to several arrests. (1)

Destruction of Public Property

There were multiple instances of damage of public property : (2)

Buenos Aires: Monuments, public furniture, and transportation stations were damaged.

Mendoza: Protesters set fire to garbage containers and broke windows of government buildings.
Rosario: Looting of shops and destruction in public areas were reported.

Nearly 300 Federal Police officers were deployed around the protest, which many protestors interpreted as an act of intimidation and repression. (3)

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CHILE

On March 8, 2025, Chile witnessed significant unrest during International Women’s Day, particularly in the capitol city Santiago, where peaceful demonstrations escalated into violent confrontations.

Santiago

After the conclusion of the 8M march in Santiago, groups of masked individuals ignited barricades along the Alameda, between Lord Cochrane and Los Héroes. These individuals threw objects at Carabineros (Chilean police), prompting the use of water cannons to disperse the crowd. The situation disrupted traffic and public transportation in the city center. (1)

Police actions:

Chile’s national police, the Carabineros, implemented a security operation during the event. According to Colonel Estrella Sotelo, 13 people were detained: six due to outstanding arrest warrants, one for drug dealing, one for concealing identity and carrying a bladed weapon, and three for public disorder. One woman was injured by glass from a thrown bottle and was taken to the Ex Posta Central hospital.

Vesna Madariaga, spokesperson for Coordinadora 8M, explained the rationale for the demonstration, saying, “We gather to defend our rights.” Earlier that day, President Gabriel Boric and Minister for Women and Gender Equality Antonia Orellana led a commemorative event in Quinta Normal, featuring a performance by singer Myriam Hernández. (2)

Links:

Reportan desórdenes y barricadas en centro de Santiago tras finalizar marcha por 8M 2025 | Nacional | BioBioChile

2 Balance del 8M: Carabineros confirma 13 detenidos por desordenes en la marcha y una persona lesionada

COLOMBIA

What began as a peaceful demonstration to commemorate International Women’s Day in Bogotá, escalated into violent incidents and acts of vandalism in several parts of the city (1).

Timeline of Events

Start of the march: The main protest began around 3:00 p.m. at the mural “Las cuchas tienen razón” (Calle 45 with Carrera 7), and proceeded toward the Plaza of the Bogotá City Council.
Peaceful development: For several hours, the march remained peaceful, with thousands of women chanting slogans and carrying banners in defense of women’s rights.
Escalation of violence: Around 6:00 p.m., reports emerged of vandalism in various areas of the city. Groups of masked individuals damaged businesses and public infrastructure.

Infrastructure Damage and Mobility Disruptions

TransMilenio: The TransMilenio public transport system was one of the most heavily affected, with damages estimated at 77 million Colombian pesos. These damages included broken windows, graffiti, and vandalism at stations such as Museo del Oro, San Diego, and Calle 34. Additionally, four buses were vandalized with paint: two trunk-line buses, one dual-mode, and one zonal.
In total, 41 TransMilenio routes and 148 zonal routes were affected, impacting over 540,000 users (2).
Main roads: Protests caused major traffic disruptions. Road closures and gridlocks were reported at key locations such as Calle 26 with Carrera 5, Carrera 7 with Calle 45 and 72, and Avenida Caracas with Calle 76 South (1).

Additional Incidents:

Intervention of the Luis Carlos Galán statue: During the protests, the statue of Luis Carlos Galán was intervened by protesters. While some city council members expressed their support for the feminist movement, they condemned the damage to public property and called for the identification of those responsible for the violent acts. The statue, located in the Plaza de Bolívar, was covered with slogans in support of women’s rights and against violence, drawing mixed reactions from political leaders. (3)
Vandalism at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: In addition to other acts of vandalism, a group of masked women attacked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building. They spray-painted slogans on the walls and caused significant damage to the property. The building was surrounded by law enforcement as protesters clashed with the police. Although the majority of the protesters remained peaceful, this group was among the most aggressive during the afternoon. (4)

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MEXICO

On March 8, 2025, Mexico City witnessed one of the largest feminist demonstrations in recent history. Over 200,000 women gathered in the city’s center to mark International Women’s Day, demanding justice, gender equality, and an end to domestic violence.

While the Mexico City march was often peaceful, protests in other states escalated, with notable acts of civil unrest: (1)

Puebla: Protesters set fire to offices of the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Gender Violence Crimes.
Guanajuato: Fires broke out at the León Municipal Presidency and State Congress buildings.
State of Mexico: Demonstrators attempted to dismantle barricades near the State Attorney General’s Office.
Sonora: Protesters set fire to windows of the Federal Judiciary building.

Vandalism of Religious Sites

Several Catholic cathedrals and churches across Mexico were targeted during the marches (2):

Guadalajara, Jalisco:

The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of Most Holy Mary, located in the heart of Guadalajara, was one of the most prominent religious sites affected. Protesters spray-painted messages on the building’s facade, including “Abort the Church“ and “The Church is Misogyny”. These slogans are linked to the pro-abortion movement and critiques of the Catholic Church’s stance on women’s rights and reproductive health.
Several statues inside and outside the cathedral were defaced, some with red paint resembling blood, symbolizing the movement against femicides and violence against women. This act of vandalism was seen as a direct response to the Church’s influence on politics regarding reproductive rights and women’s autonomy.
Public Reaction: The archbishop of Guadalajara, Cardinal José Francisco Robles Ortega, condemned the acts of violence, calling for peaceful dialogue, while some local residents expressed both support for the protesters’ rights and concern about the desecration of religious sites.

Toluca, State of Mexico:

In Toluca, the San José Cathedral was targeted by protesters who draped green cloths, symbolizing the abortion rights movement, over the cathedral gates. In addition, several statues of saints were vandalized with spray paint, leaving them disfigured. One of the most notable damages was to the statue of Saint Joseph, which was completely defaced with red paint.
Public Reaction: The local authorities responded by adding extra security to prevent further destruction. While some activists saw the act as a necessary protest against the Church’s political influence, others believed the violence was an unjustified attack on religious freedom. Local religious leaders called for unity and peace despite their disagreement with the protest’s methods.

Cuernavaca, Morelos:

At the Cuernavaca Cathedral, protesters attempted to dismantle protective fencing set up around the building. They sprayed several messages, including “The Church is Guilty” and “Feminist Justice”, across the cathedral’s front steps. Though the police intervened quickly, there was some physical altercation between protesters and law enforcement, resulting in minor injuries.
Public Reaction: The attack on the cathedral sparked a larger debate in Cuernavaca about whether the destruction of religious property is justified in the fight for women’s rights. Some local Catholic groups expressed outrage, while others remained sympathetic to the protesters’ cause. The national debate intensified, with many questioning how to balance freedom of expression with respect for religious institutions.

Oaxaca City, Oaxaca:

In Oaxaca City, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption was heavily targeted during the marches. Protesters sprayed “Church, Stop Abusing Women” and “Feminist Struggle” in large letters on the cathedral’s stone façade. In a more extreme act, several participants attempted to set fire to the cathedral’s wooden doors, though the fire was quickly extinguished by a combination of firemen and volunteers from the community.
Several statues inside the cathedral were also vandalized. The most significant damage occurred to the Statue of Our Lady of the Assumption, which had its face covered with a green cloth and was doused in red paint.
Public Reaction: Local government officials expressed concern about the escalation of violence in Oaxaca. Religious leaders, including the Bishop of Oaxaca, Pedro Vázquez Villalobos, condemned the act of violence but emphasized the need to understand the frustration driving such extreme actions. There was a strong public outcry from both the Catholic community and the general public, calling for peace and dialogue.

San Luis Potosí:

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Expectation in San Luis Potosí was another religious site that faced significant damage. Protesters spray-painted slogans like “Patriarchy is a Death Sentence” on the cathedral’s main doors. The historic building also suffered from broken windows and other structural damage caused by direct hits from objects thrown by the protesters.
Public Reaction: In San Luis Potosí, some residents staged counter-protests, calling for an end to the destruction of religious and public property. Despite these protests, the local police force reported that no arrests were made during the incident. Both the local community and national media have closely followed the controversy surrounding these actions.

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PERU

On International Women’s Day 2025, thousands of women took to the streets across Peru, particularly in Lima, to demand gender equality, an end to violence against women, and better working conditions.

Incidents in Lima

In downtown Lima, the main protest headed toward Plaza San Martín, a traditional rallying point.
The Peruvian National Police (PNP) blocked access to the plaza, sparking tension between demonstrators and officers.
When protestors attempted to enter, clashes broke out. The police reportedly used pepper spray and physical force, causing panic and confusion.
Some women, including rural and Indigenous activists, were repressed by force, according to images and testimonies circulated online.
The plaza’s lights were shut off during the protest, which increased anxiety in the crowd.
At least two people were arrested and taken to the Cotabambas police station, according to activist groups.
Feminist organizations denounced the excessive use of force and demanded the immediate release of the detained.

Link: Violencia y detenciones en el 8M: PNP reprime con gas pimienta y golpes a manifestantes en la Plaza San Martín – Infobae

Events in Other Cities

Demonstrations also occurred in Trujillo, Cusco, Juliaca, Ucayali, Ayacucho, Pucallpa, Acobamba, Tacna, and San Martín.
While most of these protests were peaceful, some tensions and confrontations with police were reported in certain areas.
In Trujillo, members of the 8 de Marzo feminist collective allegedly burned a symbolic coffin and painted over marble surfaces in the city’s historic Plaza de Armas, sparking concern from local authorities.

Link: Día de la Mujer: multitudinaria marcha del 8M en Lima y otras ciudades del país exige el fin de la violencia machista | RPP Noticias

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Feminist Violence on International Women’s Day in Latin America