You saw it coming and the warning was clear. Carmen Borrego had already signaled that the medical team on Survivors would be essential. Laura Madrueño later confirmed that Carmen Borrego was not lounging on the beach with friends, addressing the medical care she was receiving after Sandra Barneda asked about it.
Terelu’s sister spent the night away from the island and then returned to the shore. “I endured a terrible day yesterday and my blood pressure rose, but I will keep trying. It won’t be for lack of effort. I am trying”, Carmen explained about her decision to return.
“Everything seemed better at first, everything looked fine, but as the hours passed it grew more difficult and the situation became very complicated,” Barneda explained, with Madrueño adding that the late hours in Honduras had been critical for Carmen, who faced a sequence of very complex moments.
Carmen Borrego tearfully told her colleagues, “Please, I can’t take this anymore. I’m dying. I swear to God I can’t stand it any longer, I’m begging. I can’t do this anymore; I’m getting on the boat and leaving.” And so she did—she boarded the boat and left the island.
“I know she hasn’t returned to the beach since boarding the boat. She remains alone, and we wait for the doctors’ assessment. A medical report will be issued in the next few minutes,” the show host noted.
It appeared that Carmen was in visible pain, a picture of anxiety on display.
Reasons for Carmen Borrego’s Anxiety
During the live broadcast, Sandra managed to speak with Carmen, who from Malaga sought to clarify her stance: “I’m trying. They are helping me a lot. I haven’t given up; there is a rough patch, and I hope to overcome it.”
The Survivors host pressed about the challenges on the island. Borrego explained that the problem was not hunger and that the backpack was overfilled. She added that memories and recent losses, including her mother Maria Teresa Campos, were weighing on her. “The backpack is too heavy. Suddenly my mind, my memories, and my experiences aren’t helping me.”
“I know it gives me strength wherever I am,” she said through tears, then added, “The problem isn’t that it stops giving me strength, but have I managed to uncover the purpose? What was it for? My mind spiraled.”
Medical Statement About Carmen Borrego
The program described Carmen Borrego as showing clear signs of anxiety related to the distress of staying in the competition environment. While she felt physically well, the ongoing anxiety made it difficult to continue within the show’s framework. The medical team and a psychologist were involved to assess the situation and determine the feasibility of her continued participation, according to the presenter.
“The door is not closed completely, which I did not want. I thought the decision was final, and I was not prepared. I would like to continue, even though comfort is no longer present. Living with these people has given me a lot, and I hope it continues to do so,” Carmen Borrego said.
It should be noted that the contestant had previously earned a substantial weekly amount, but the rules state that a voluntary exit typically triggers a penalty. In this case, due to a medical procedure, she would not incur any penalty.
The Controversy and Reactions
This decision marked a turning point in Carmen Borrego’s arc on Survivors. She became more isolated after choosing not to participate in nearly any challenges, and viewers expressed dissatisfaction, accusing the show of nepotism and unfair treatment by the production team.
“Are they afraid of us? Are they playing us for fools? Is this a competition or a rehabilitation center? What’s happening?” exclaimed viewers like Rocío Madrid and Ángel, who called for support amid constant scrutiny and harassment. Some argued that the production’s handling was unfair, comparing Carmen’s situation to other participants who had more dramatic storylines.
“She will live under the same conditions, with prepared meals, a proper bed, and access to a shower—that’s it,” commented one observer, noting how the show’s image and the contestants’ experience had become a focal point. Others added questions about the tone of the program, while some criticized the overall treatment and the visible toll on the participants.