Sun Sep 28 02:30:07 UTC 2025: **Argentina Reels After Drug Gang Livestreams Torture and Murder of Three Young Women**
**Buenos Aires, Argentina** – Argentina is in shock and outrage after the brutal torture and murder of two 20-year-old cousins, Morena Verdi and Brenda del Castillo, and 15-year-old Lara Gutierrez. The killings, allegedly perpetrated by a drug gang and livestreamed on social media, have sparked widespread protests and calls for justice.
The victims were lured into a van on September 19th, reportedly under the pretense of attending a party. Authorities believe the women were targeted as punishment for violating gang code and to send a message to others. Their bodies were discovered buried in the yard of a house in a southern Buenos Aires suburb five days after their disappearance.
According to authorities, a suspect revealed the existence of a gruesome video depicting the murders during questioning. The footage allegedly shows a gang leader declaring, “This is what happens to those who steal drugs from me.” Argentinian media reports details of horrific torture, including mutilation and suffocation.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Buenos Aires on Saturday, demanding action against the escalating influence of drug cartels and denouncing the government’s perceived inaction. Family members of the victims led the march, holding banners displaying the names of the slain women. Some demonstrators clashed with police, who responded with batons and shields.
“Women must be protected more than ever,” Brenda del Castillo’s father, Leonel, told reporters. He stated that he was unable to identify his daughter’s body due to the torture she had endured.
Security Minister Patricia Bullrich announced the arrest of a fifth suspect, accused of providing logistical support, in the Bolivian border city of Villazon. Three men and two women are now in custody, but the alleged mastermind, a 20-year-old Peruvian man, remains at large. Authorities have released his photograph to aid in his capture.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, is disputing claims that the livestream occurred on its platform.
The case has ignited a national debate about the growing power of drug gangs and the need for stronger measures to protect vulnerable communities. The phrase “narco-femicide” was seen on signs at the protest. The scale of the brutality and its alleged broadcast on social media have amplified the sense of horror and fueled demands for swift and decisive action.