Three specialists in Intensive Medicine testified as witnesses in Cartagena on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation. Sara Gómez, the woman who died following a liposculpture procedure, arrived at Santa Lucía in critical condition, suffering shock that made surgery impossible. The medical team faced a severe multi‑organ failure, underscoring the gravity of the case.
Lawyer Evaristo Llanos, who represents the relatives of the deceased, explained that the doctors had recommended conservative treatment given the patient’s critical state. He noted that fecal fluid was draining from surgical sites for up to a day, emphasizing that the situation was a life‑and‑death scenario that warranted urgent attention. He pressed for fuller testimony from the doctors involved, arguing that their account is essential to understanding what happened. (attribution: Cartagena, local press)
Llanos suggested that the next steps would determine whether the case would conclude with the testimony of the doctors and a surgeon, or whether additional statements would be required by the magistrate. He indicated that the magistrate may request further statements from the medical professionals before ruling on the matter. (attribution: Cartagena, local press)
Relatives of the deceased gathered at the courthouse entrance on Wednesday, holding a large banner bearing a photo of the smiling woman and the message: ‘Victim of an unqualified professional, my family and friends seek support from true and exemplary Justice so that there is no room for further injustice and deaths like mine.’ Supporters cheered the doctors who provided testimony, displaying placards and offering words of encouragement.
Sara Gómez’s family, parents to two children, asserted that medical negligence occurred during the liposculpture procedure conducted at a private clinic, Benevolent Virgin of Cartagena. The operation took place on December 2, 2021, and Sara Gómez died on January 1 of the following year, prompting renewed calls for accountability in the private sector of cosmetic surgery. (attribution: Cartagena, local press)
Defendant maintained the operation proceeded without incident
Javier Alejandro MDC, the surgeon who performed the procedure in Cartagena, testified in June that he did not understand how Sara arrived at Santa Lucía in such a fragile condition, insisting that the surgery had gone well. He expressed remorse for the outcomes and asserted that he trusted the justice system to uncover the truth. His remarks were offered days after Sara Gómez’s passing, during testimony given in January. (attribution: Cartagena, local press)
Throughout the proceedings, courtroom observers noted the emotional toll on Sara’s family, who have urged a rigorous inquiry into the events surrounding the liposculpture and the subsequent care. The case continues to unfold as authorities weigh the medical evidence, expert testimonies, and the overall standards of care applied in private cosmetic procedures within the region. (attribution: Cartagena, local press)