On January 31, 2025, the release of shocking footage showing influencers Fofo Márquez being brutally assaulted by prison guards ignited outrage across social media, prompting swift action from authorities. The incident, filmed during Márquez’s admission to Barrientos prison, showcases custodians violently attacking the influencer, who is heard pleading, "¡Señor, ya, por favor!" as he begs for the aggression to stop.
Márquez, whose real name is Rodolfo Márquez, was sentenced to 17 years and six months for attempted feminicide following an assault on woman he believed to have damaged his car. The confrontation, occurring nearly one year prior, escalated at a parking lot when after minor damages occurred, he struck the woman, leaving her injured.
The video captured on the day of his incarceration shows multiple guards overpowering Márquez, leaving no doubt about the violence he faced. The footage resurfaced almost ten months after it was recorded, and the outcry concerning his treatment prompted swift intervention from Cristóbal Castañeda, Secretary of Security for the State of Mexico.
Immediately responding to public calls for accountability, Castañeda announced the firing of the three custodians involved. He also confirmed the removal of Ariadna Imelda Jiménez Medrano, Barrientos prison's director, as efforts intensified to investigate the assaults. “Respecto al video en el que se observa a personal de custodia penitenciaria agrediendo, la @SS_Edomex informa que se han identificado y destituido a los responsables, así como la Directora del #CPRS de Tlalnepantla,” Castañeda stated.
Family visits to Márquez, including his mother and brother, became a focal point of media attention as they arrived at Barrientos after the footage emerged. Despite attempts to gather insights from family members post-visit, they largely refrained from commenting on the situation. Even with the immediate repercussions of the footage, other families of inmates at Barrientos seized the moment to voice their own concerns, claiming, "En Barrientos, los golpes, tortura y extorsión son hechos cotidianos,” calling for broader inquiries beyond just Márquez’s abuse.
The Secretary of Security’s announcement prioritized Márquez’s welfare, leading to his transfer to Texcoco prison as additional protective measures. Details surrounding the transition have remained confidential for security reasons, but it poses questions on the supportive action versus long-standing systemic issues within the penal system.
Reports from family members of other inmates describe extreme conditions resembling torture and extortion, which paint Barrientos prison as remarkable for its brutality. One prisoner's family member detailed how, “A mi hermano lo desnudaron y golpearon, y así lo dejaron en el piso en estos días de frío,” shedding light on the brutal realities many experience behind bars.
The viral video case has raised suspicions and debates among viewers and legal experts alike. Some speculate whether the incident was contrived as part of Márquez's defense strategy. “Se debe investigar más allá de un simple despido de custodios,” commented concerned observers on various platforms, pressing for substantial changes instead of superficial reforms.
Prior to entering the prison system, Márquez, who rose to fame through social media, often publically lamented about feeling unsafe. During court appearances related to his sentencing, he had previously expressed fears for his safety, recounting bouts of violence faced leading up to his arrest.
Legal experts predict rigorous scrutiny of not only the prison guards involved but also of the structural failures within the whole penal system. The culmination of these events points to broader calls for reforms and safety measures across prison facilities to address and eliminate systemic violence.
What isn’t clear yet is how this incident will change the prison culture moving forward or whether it will simply be one more moment of outrage leading to minimal change. Nevertheless, the incident has captured public attention as many now await results from the investigations initiated following this very public display of violence.