Argentina protests after brutal killings of girl and two young women

Thousands gathered in Buenos Aires on Saturday to demand justice for 15-year-old Lara Gutierrez and two 20-year-olds, Morena Verdi and Brenda del Castillo, who were tortured and murdered in a case authorities say involved a drug-trafficking gang. The killings, which were livestreamed on social media, sparked outrage and a wave of protests across Argentina. Police said five suspects — three men and two women — had been arrested by Friday, but the group’s alleged leader, a 20-year-old Peruvian man, remained at large. Investigators say the victims were lured into a van on Sept. 19, believing they were headed for a party; instead, authorities say, the killings were part of a plan to punish them for breaking gang codes.

Relatives and rights groups joined demonstrations near the Parliament and along major avenues under the banner "There are no good or bad victims, only femicide." In Buenos Aires, Brenda del Castillo’s father, Leonel, told reporters that women must be protected now more than ever, noting that identifying his daughter's body would be almost impossible because of the abuse she endured. Antonio del Castillo, Brenda’s grandfather, grew emotional as he described the killers as "bloodthirsty." The victims were Lara Gutierrez, 15, and Morena Verdi and Brenda del Castillo, both 20.

Authorities released a photo of the alleged mastermind, a 20-year-old Peruvian man who remains at large. Investigators say a video recovered from a detainee shows a gang leader saying, "This is what happens to those who steal drugs from me." The bodies of the three victims were found buried on Wednesday in the yard of a house in a southern Buenos Aires suburb, five days after they disappeared. Police said five suspects — three men and two women — had been arrested by Friday, while the central figure continued to evade capture.

Rights groups and lawmakers pressed for action, with protests across cities and calls for stronger protections for women. The case has intensified debates about policing, gang violence, and femicide in Argentina, where activists have long argued that gender-based violence remains a critical public-safety issue.

Argentina’s femicide monitors say one woman is killed every 36 hours in the country, a statistic cited by AFP that underscores the broader context in which the killings occurred and the calls for systemic change. Investigators say the attack was meant to punish the victims for violating gang codes, serving as a warning to others, and that the livestreaming was part of how the gang sought to intimidate rivals and potential defectors.

The investigation continues as authorities seek to locate the alleged mastermind and pursue leads about the gang’s operations, recruitment, and linkages within drug networks. Officials emphasized that the case is not isolated and highlighted ongoing concerns about violence against women in Argentina, urging communities and institutions to act promptly to protect vulnerable groups and ensure accountability for those responsible.