Paloma, ‘Queen of the Mercado,’ dies after announcing illnesses

Paloma, whose dancing electrified the Lucas de Galvez market in Merida, passed away after a brief illness, friends said. Photo: Facebook

The Lucas de Gálvez market has lost its dancing queen.

Paloma Santos Chan was a colorful fixture at the city’s large mercado, coming in regularly from her native Izamal just to perform cumbia and salsa for the public. When the pandemic struck, she turned more to social media to attract an audience.

The “Queen of the Mercado” had revealed that she suffered from gastritis and pneumonia, and used Facebook to solicit financial help.

“Dance, dance often until you shine, and when you shine, may your light reach the hearts of the people,” reads the announcement of her death, posted on Facebook this morning.

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