Chihuahua Congress approves ‘Ley Malena’ to penalize acid attacks

The Chihuahua State Congress has unanimously approved a reform to the State Penal Code, commonly referred to as the ‘Ley Ácida’ or ‘Ley Malena’. The reform establishes as an aggravating factor any assault committed using acid, chemical compounds, corrosive, caustic, irritating, toxic, or flammable substances, as well as alcohol, petroleum, or high-temperature liquids, when these are used against women, children, or adolescents.

Under the new law, prison sentences will increase by half when such substances are used to cause injury. Additionally, a prison term of one to three years will be applied specifically when injuries are inflicted upon children, adolescents, or women due to gender-based violence.

In addition to the state-level changes, the Congress has sent an initiative to the Federal Congress to reform the General Law on Women's Access to a Life Free of Violence. This federal proposal seeks to formally define ‘acid violence’ as any intentional act causing physical damage or impairment through the use of gases, chemicals, or similar substances. The initiative was driven by deputies including Irlanda Márquez Nolasco, Nancy Frías, Jocelyn Vega, and Alma Portillo, and is inspired by the activism of survivor María Elena Ríos Ortiz.