The "clinic" that allegedly killed Ramírez García is likely one of dozens operating unregulated in Sinaloa, and was shut down after her death. Photo: Deborah Bonello for VICE World News.
“There’s no way of knowing how many women die like this,” said Martinez Terrazas.Both respected doctors like Martinez Terrazas and charlatans who operate in the shadows are catering to the massive market for plastic surgery in a state famous for the beauty of its women as well as its drug-trafficking history and culture. The demand for the “buchona” body is very high, despite the risks. The buchona look is something of a badge of honor, synonymous with the generalized narco style and fashion in a state where drug-trafficking culture has become normalized. For the recent Independence Day celebrations, the Sinaloan government paid a musician for his famous narco-corridos (drug-trafficking ballads) to play in the official celebrations in Culiacan’s zocalo.
A candle burns in the home of Paulina Ramírez García in Eldorado, Sinaloa. She died three weeks after having plastic surgery from an unlicensed doctor. Photo: Deborah Bonello for VICE World News.
"Kendra" had plastic surgery in an unlicensed clinic in her search for the "buchona" body. Photo: Deborah Bonello for VICE World News.
L - R Fabiola Ramírez Garcia, Paulina's aunt, her grandmother Dolores Garcia and another aunt Arely Ramírez Garcia hold a photo of Paulina in their home in Eldorado, Sinaloa. Photo: Deborah Bonello for VICE World News.
