A woman in Colombia is drawing global attention after claims surfaced that she may be the oldest living person in the world. Maria Antonia Cuervo, a resident of the coastal city of Buenaventura, is believed to be 124 years old, according to information listed on her citizenship card. Records suggest she was born on October 18, 1901, a date that—if verified—would place her well beyond the age of any currently recognized supercentenarian.
While her age has not yet been independently validated by international longevity organizations, the claim has sparked widespread discussion about record-keeping, historical documentation in the Global South, and how many extraordinary lives may go unrecognized due to gaps in archival systems. Cuervo’s story highlights both the possibilities and challenges of verifying extreme longevity, particularly in regions where formal birth registration was uncommon in the early 20th century.
Source: @globalsouthworld
