Thousands of people have taken part in an anti-femicide protest in Buenos Aires, demanding justice for a girl and two young women who were tortured and murdered in a crime that has shocked Argentina.
The brutal killings of 15-year-old Lara Gutierrez and 20-year-olds Morena Verdi and Brenda del Castillo were livestreamed on social media.
Police believe a drug-trafficking gang was responsible, and that the crime was broadcast as a warning to others. As of Friday, law enforcement had arrested five suspects—three men and two women—while a key gang leader remains at large.
Investigators revealed that the victims were enticed into a van under the pretense of attending a party on September 19; however, it was part of a coordinated plan of punishment for breaking the gang's code.
The bodies were discovered buried in a yard in a southern suburb of Buenos Aires, five days after their disappearance. Documentation and videos point to the gang's intimidation tactics, with one leader threatening, 'This is what happens to those who steal drugs from me.'
The tragic incident has reignited discussions about violence against women in Argentina, where a woman is killed approximately every 36 hours. Relatives of the victims participated in demonstrations holding signs that read, 'There are no good or bad victims, only femicide.'
At a recent march to Parliament, Brenda's father emphasized the need for better protection of women, while family members of the victims expressed their grief and outrage over the heinous crimes committed against them. The community continues to rally for justice and significant reforms in a country grappling with high rates of gender-based violence.
