In a tale of social media gone awry, Spanish influencer Marina Rivera Saldana is facing significant backlash for flaunting a forbidden swim in the Sapphire waters of the El Tancon cave in Santiago.
The Controversial Dive: A Social Media Storm
Marina, who boasts over 9 million followers across Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok, shared her aquatic escapade on August 31. Despite warnings and prohibitions, her post ignited fury online, with critics accusing her of disrespecting the deceased and endangering her life for the sake of social media attention.
Defiance and Criticism: Influencer’s Disregard for Banning Orders
Accompanying the images of her swim, Marina captioned her post in Spanish, declaring herself a “little mermaid from Makoo.” This audacious move not only contradicted the explicit bans on swimming but also triggered a wave of disapproval from online commenters who condemned her actions.
Outrage and Calls for Accountability: Disrespecting the Forbidden Cove
The backlash came in strong waves, with comments expressing anger at Marina for flouting local regulations and demonstrating a lack of respect for the lives lost in the cove. Accusations of seeking social media clout at the expense of safety and cultural sensitivity flooded the influencer’s post.
Community Intervention: X Issues Advisory on Influencer’s Post
Recognizing the potential harm of Marina’s actions, X took a stand by issuing a Community Notes advisory on her post. The note emphasized that her images could encourage people to visit the prohibited area, posing a danger given the history of fatalities. The platform effectively warned against replicating such risky behavior.
Social Media Metrics: Likes and Views Amidst the Controversy
Despite the controversy, Marina’s post garnered significant attention, accumulating over 228,000 likes on Instagram and more than 3 million views and 15,000 likes on X. The metrics, though reflective of engagement, also underscore the challenges of balancing digital popularity with responsible content creation.
In navigating the murky waters of social media, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the accountability influencers carry and the potential consequences of disregarding rules, especially in locations marked by tragedy and official bans.