Argentina protesters seek justice for victims of live-streamed femicide
Argentina protesters seek justice for victims of live-streamed femicideEstelle.BronkhorstSun, 09/28/2025 - 07:30 BUENOS AIRES - Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Buenos Aires to demand justice for three young women whose torture and murders were live-streamed on social media, in a case that has shocked Argentina.The victims' relatives held a banner with their names -- "Lara, Brenda, Morena" -- and placards with their images, joined by several leftist groups as they marched to Parliament."It was a narco-feminicide!" "Our lives are not disposable!" read signs and banners at the protest march.The bodies of Morena Verdi and Brenda Del Castillo, cousins aged 20, and 15-year-old Lara Gutierrez were found buried Wednesday in the yard of a house in a southern suburb of Buenos Aires, five days after they went missing.The crime, which investigators tied to drug gangs, was perpetrated live on Instagram and watched by 45 members of a private account, officials said.On Friday, National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich announced the arrest of a fifth suspect, bringing the total to three men and two women. The fifth suspect, accused of providing logistical support with a car, was arrested in the Bolivian border city of Villazon, after collaboration between the two countries' police forces.Investigators said the victims, thinking they were going to a party, were lured into a van allegedly as part of a plan to "punish" them for violating gang code and serving as a warning to others.Police discovered the video after one of the detainees revealed it under questioning, according to Javier Alonso, security minister for Buenos Aires province.In the footage, a gang leader is heard saying: "This is what happens to those who steal drugs from me."Argentine media are reporting the torturers cut off fingers, pulled out nails, beat and suffocated the victims.Meta, the parent company of Instagram, disputed that the livestream occurred on its platform."We have not found any evidence of the livestream taking place on Instagram. Our team continues to cooperate with law enforcement as they investigate this horrific crime," a spokesperson told AFP.Dozens of people accompanied a funeral procession Friday to a cemetery outside Buenos Aires, where a private burial for Verdi and Del Castillo was held.Gutierrez was laid to rest in a different location.
The victims' families led the march to the Parliament building, carrying a banner bearing the names "Lara, Brenda, Morena" and holding placards displaying their images. They were joined by numerous leftist groups, amplifying the demand for accountability and systemic change. Banners with slogans like "It was a narco-feminicide!" and "Our lives are not disposable!" underscored the protesters' anger and determination.
Morena Verdi and Brenda Del Castillo, cousins both aged 20, and 15-year-old Lara Gutierrez were reported missing five days before their bodies were discovered buried in the yard of a house in a southern suburb of Buenos Aires. Investigators believe the crime is linked to drug gangs. According to officials, the victims were lured into a van under the guise of attending a party, only to be subjected to unimaginable cruelty as punishment for allegedly violating gang code. The act was also intended as a warning to others.
National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich announced the arrest of a fifth suspect on Friday, bringing the total number of those apprehended to three men and two women. The latest suspect, accused of providing logistical support with a vehicle, was captured in Villazon, a city on the Bolivian border, thanks to collaboration between Argentine and Bolivian police forces.
Security Minister for Buenos Aires province, Javier Alonso, stated that police discovered the disturbing video after one of the detainees confessed to its existence during questioning. The footage allegedly captured a gang leader declaring, "This is what happens to those who steal drugs from me." Argentine media reports detail the horrific acts of torture inflicted upon the victims, including the cutting off of fingers, the pulling out of nails, beatings, and suffocation.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has disputed the claim that the livestream occurred on its platform. A spokesperson stated, "We have not found any evidence of the livestream taking place on Instagram. Our team continues to cooperate with law enforcement as they investigate this horrific crime."
The grief-stricken community held a funeral procession to a cemetery outside Buenos Aires on Friday, where Verdi and Del Castillo were laid to rest in a private burial.