Argentina has been shaken by the torture and killing of three young women, an act reportedly livestreamed on social media by a suspected drug gang. The crime has triggered nationwide outrage, mass protests, and renewed calls for stronger action against gender-based violence and organized crime.
The victims—cousins Morena Verdi and Brenda del Castillo, both 20, and 15-year-old Lara Gutiérrez—were reported missing on September 19. Their bodies were discovered five days later, buried in the yard of a house in Florencio Varela, a suburb of Buenos Aires. Investigators say the women were lured into a van under the pretext of attending a party, but were instead targeted as “punishment” for allegedly violating gang rules.
Authorities revealed that the killings were broadcast live to a private social media account followed by 45 people. In the footage, a gang leader is heard declaring: “This is what happens to those who steal drugs from me.” Police have since arrested five suspects—three men and two women—while the alleged mastermind, a 20-year-old Peruvian national, remains at large.
The brutality of the crime, described by officials as a “narco-femicide,” has sparked widespread demonstrations. Thousands marched in Buenos Aires carrying banners with the victims’ names and chanting against both gang violence and government inaction. Family members of the victims demanded justice, with Brenda’s father stating, “Women must be protected more than ever.”
National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich confirmed the arrests and pledged continued cooperation with regional authorities, including cross-border efforts after one suspect was detained in Bolivia. Meanwhile, Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has disputed claims that the livestream occurred on its platform, though it has pledged to assist investigators.
The case has reignited debate over Argentina’s struggle with organized crime, poverty, and gender-based violence. Feminist groups, including Ni Una Menos, have framed the killings as emblematic of systemic failures to protect women and vulnerable communities.
As investigations continue, the murders stand as one of the most shocking acts of violence in recent years, underscoring the intersection of narco-violence and femicide in Argentina’s social crisis.
Sources: MSN, DW, Buenos Aires Herald.
Argentine National Congress, Parliament Building Picture by Jacobo Tarrío
