Argentina Mourns Three Young Lives Lost

Buenos Aires, Sept 28, 2025 — Argentina has been shaken by the brutal murders of three young women, an act that investigators link to a drug gang and which was allegedly broadcast live on social media. The victims — cousins Morena Verdi and Brenda del Castillo, both 20, and 15-year-old Lara Gutierrez — were found buried in the yard of a house in a southern suburb of Buenos Aires on Wednesday, five days after they disappeared. Their deaths have sparked outrage nationwide, leading to mass protests demanding justice and stronger protections for women. On Saturday, thousands gathered in Buenos Aires, marching to Parliament with banners bearing the names and faces of the victims. Chants of “It was a narco-feminicide!” and “Our lives are not disposable!” echoed through the streets as demonstrators beat drums and called for accountability. Families of the victims led the march, holding placards and urging solidarity. Relatives expressed both grief and anger. Brenda’s father, Leonel del Castillo, said he was unable to recognize his daughter due to the torture she suffered. Their grandfather, Antonio, wept as he described the killers as “bloodthirsty,” adding, “You wouldn’t do what they did to them to an animal.” He pleaded for truth and unity in seeking justice. The case has already led to five arrests — three men and two women. National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich confirmed the latest arrest on Friday: a suspect accused of providing logistical support with a car, detained in Villazon near the Bolivian border. Authorities are still searching for the alleged mastermind, a 20-year-old Peruvian, whose photograph has been released to the public. According to investigators, the women were lured into a van on September 19 under the pretense of attending a party. Instead, they were targeted as punishment for allegedly violating gang rules and as a warning to others. Security Minister Javier Alonso said police discovered the video of the crime after a detainee revealed it during questioning. In the footage, a gang leader can reportedly be heard declaring, “This is what happens to those who steal drugs from me.” Media reports detail gruesome acts of torture, including the cutting of fingers, removal of nails, and suffocation. While officials stated the crime was streamed to 45 members of a private Instagram account, Meta — Instagram’s parent company — denied the broadcast occurred on its platform, though it pledged continued cooperation with authorities. The case has also raised questions about poverty, exploitation, and the stigmatization of victims. A cousin of Brenda and Morena told AFP that the two occasionally engaged in sex work for survival without their families’ knowledge, describing it as “bad luck” that they crossed paths with dangerous people. At the same time, relatives of Lara Gutierrez firmly rejected speculation about her involvement with drugs or prostitution. “There is poverty in our neighborhood, but what people say about Lara is false,” her aunt, Del Valle Galvan, said. “We want justice to be done, for the truth to come out, and for those responsible to be held accountable. We are not afraid.” The horrific killings have struck a deep nerve in Argentina, fueling debate on femicide, organized crime, and the failure of institutions to protect vulnerable women. Protesters vow to keep pressing until justice is delivered Argentina Mourns Three Young Lives Lost Argentina is reeling after the brutal murders of Morena Verdi, Brenda del Castillo, and Lara Gutierrez, whose bodies were found buried in Buenos Aires. Investigators say a drug gang lured the girls, tortured them, and allegedly streamed the crime on social media. Five suspects have been arrested, while the alleged mastermind remains on the run. Families, activists, and thousands of citizens marched to Parliament, demanding justice and stronger protections for women. The victims’ relatives spoke of unimaginable grief and vowed not to stay silent. The case has sparked national outrage, highlighting the urgent fight against femicide and organized crime