In Buenos Aires, Argentina, thousands participated in an anti-femicide protest seeking justice for three recent victims: 15-year-old Lara Gutierrez, and 20-year-olds Morena Verdi and Brenda del Castillo. The young women were reportedly tortured and murdered in a crime that has drawn significant public attention, especially as the violence was livestreamed on social media.
Authorities believe a drug-trafficking gang was involved in the brutal incident, viewing the killings as a warning to others about violations of gang code. As of Friday, police had arrested five individuals—three men and two women—but the alleged leader, a 20-year-old Peruvian man, remains at large. Investigators stated that the victims were deceived into entering a van under the pretense of attending a party on September 19. The subsequent investigation revealed that the violence was intended to punish the individuals involved.
A video obtained during interrogations of detainees allegedly shows a gang leader asserting that the actions were retaliation for thefts related to drugs. The bodies of the three victims were discovered buried in the yard of a residence in a southern Buenos Aires suburb, five days after they were reported missing.
At the recent protest, which included family and friends of the victims, demonstrators marched to Parliament. Those present described the emotional toll of the situation, with reports including remarks from Brenda’s father, who expressed the urgent need for better protection for women in Argentina. This incident is part of a broader alarming trend in the country, where a femicide occurs every 36 hours as noted by a monitoring group. The widespread outcry raises questions about safety and the effectiveness of protective measures for women in Argentina.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20zl9pydezo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss