The disappearance of a 52-year-old woman in Bogota has once again reignited in Colombia a debate that resurfaces time and again whenever a tragedy linked to clandestine cosmetic procedures occurs.
The case, which has sparked national outrage, involves a patient who went to an illegal clinic to undergo liposuction and who has not been heard from since the very day of the procedure.
The situation intensified even further after relatives shared videos on social media showing staff members at the establishment dragging the woman inside the facility and later removing her in the same manner.
According to the family’s account, the woman managed to say that she needed to get to a hospital. After that, she disappeared. The investigation is advancing amid growing questions about the operation of clandestine clinics in different cities across the country, especially in Bogota, Medellin, and Cali, where the high demand for cosmetic treatments continues to fuel an illegal market operating outside any health oversight.
Disappearance reignites debate over illegal cosmetic clinics in Colombia
The woman’s disappearance has caused deep shock because it revives scenes the country has already witnessed on other occasions. The videos released by the family show moments that many people find difficult to explain within the context of a normal medical procedure.
The footage shows several people handling the patient while she apparently appears to be in poor physical condition and that, despite her evident health condition, she receives no medical assistance whatsoever.
Authorities are trying to determine what happened inside the establishment and who participated in the surgical procedure at an illegal clinic apparently run by a supposed Venezuelan doctor who lacked professional accreditation in Colombia and who, as of today, is also missing.
Health authorities are also investigating how an establishment that, according to preliminary investigations, lacked legal permits to operate could have remained open, and whether those who performed the procedure had the required medical training.
The case quickly became a national trend and once again reopened the debate over the proliferation of clandestine clinics offering cosmetic surgeries at prices far below those of the formal market.
In many cases, these centers advertise quick and inexpensive procedures through social media, using eye-catching images and offers aimed especially at people with limited financial means seeking access to treatments that normally carry high costs.
Although authorities periodically carry out closures and health inspections, the phenomenon continues to grow. Many of these clinics constantly change their names or locations to avoid oversight and continue operating irregularly.
El caso de Yulixa Toloza es tenebroso, inaceptable y sintomático de lo que pasa en unas clinicas de garaje dedicadas a la medicina estética pic.twitter.com/2NwBVasI2k
— MEDICOS DE COLOMBIA (@PROMEDICOS) May 17, 2026
The other side of cosmetic surgery in Colombia
The controversy has also led many specialists to point out that Colombia has one of the most recognized cosmetic surgery industries in Latin America and the world.
For years, the country has become an international destination for patients seeking high-quality cosmetic procedures, driven by highly trained doctors, advanced technology, and competitive costs compared to the United States and Europe.
Cities such as Bogota, Medellin, Cali, and Barranquilla are home to certified clinics that receive thousands of foreign patients every year. The reputation of many Colombian surgeons has allowed the country to build a major medical tourism industry, especially in areas such as liposuction, rhinoplasty, breast implants, and reconstructive surgery.
However, that very growth has also encouraged the emergence of illegal operations seeking to exploit the high demand. Many of these centers operate in apartments, converted houses, or establishments lacking even the most basic medical conditions. In some cases, they use unlicensed personnel or individuals who falsely present themselves as specialists.
The price difference is usually the main attraction. While a cosmetic surgery procedure at a regulated clinic can cost several million pesos, clandestine centers offer procedures for much lower amounts. That difference ultimately becomes decisive for many people who prioritize price without fully understanding the risks.
A recurring problem for years
The debate over illegal clinics is not new in Colombia. For years, there have been deaths, disappearances, serious infections, and permanent injuries linked to clandestine procedures. Health authorities have repeatedly warned about the use of prohibited substances, improvised operating rooms, and practices carried out without minimum safety conditions.
Despite this, the problem persists due to several factors. One of them is the enormous social pressure related to physical appearance and the constant increase in demand for cosmetic procedures. Another factor is the ease with which these establishments promote their services on digital platforms, where they often appear legitimate and professional.
Experts in the medical sector also point out that there is a major gap in patient education. Many people do not verify whether a clinic is officially licensed or whether the professional holds valid certifications. In other cases, patients are drawn in by aggressive promotions and supposed limited-time offers.
The disappearance of the woman in Bogota once again brought those warnings to the forefront. On social media, thousands of users have expressed outrage over the images that surfaced this week and have called for stronger government oversight of these types of establishments.
The new scandal has also generated political pressure on health and judicial authorities. Different sectors have requested more frequent operations, harsher penalties, and faster mechanisms to detect clandestine clinics before tragedies occur.
Some medical associations have insisted that it is not enough to shut down illegal establishments if they later reopen under different names. They are also calling for massive public information campaigns so that the population learns how to identify authorized clinics and verify professional credentials before undergoing any procedure.
Meanwhile, uncertainty over the whereabouts of the missing woman continues to keep the country focused on the investigation. The family continues demanding answers and says it will not stop searching for her.
The case has once again become a symbol of a debate Colombia has faced for years: the coexistence of one of the most developed cosmetic surgery industries in the region alongside a clandestine market that continues to grow, fueled by informality, low prices, and the lack of effective oversight.