Thousands Protest in Buenos Aires Following Livestreamed Triple Femicide

Widespread Outcry After Horrific Crime

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Buenos Aires over the weekend of September 27-28, 2025, demanding justice for three young women whose torture and murders were reportedly livestreamed on social media. The victims, identified as Morena Verdi, 20, her cousin Brenda del Castillo, 20, and Lara Gutierrez, 15, were found buried in a house in Florencio Varela, a southern suburb of Buenos Aires, on a Wednesday, five days after their disappearance on September 19. The brutal crime has sent shockwaves across Argentina, intensifying calls for action against gender-based violence.

Details Emerge of Livestreamed Torture and Murder

Investigators have linked the triple femicide to drug gangs, suggesting the killings were a 'punishment' for violating gang codes and a warning to others. The victims were reportedly lured into a van on September 19 under false pretenses, believing they were going to a party. The torture and murder were allegedly broadcast live to a private social media group of approximately 45 members. During the livestream, a gang leader was reportedly heard saying, 'This is what happens to those who steal drugs from me.' While Argentine media reported the livestream occurred on Instagram, Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has disputed this, stating they found no evidence of the livestream on their platform but are cooperating with law enforcement. Six individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the crime, but the alleged gang leader, a 23-year-old Peruvian national known by the nicknames 'Julito' or 'Little J,' remains at large.

Protests Demand Justice and End to Gender Violence

The protests, organized by feminist groups including the Ni Una Menos collective, saw demonstrators carrying banners with the victims' names and images, chanting slogans such as 'It was a narco-feminicide!' and 'Our lives are not disposable!' Relatives of the victims spoke out, with Brenda's father, Leonel del Castillo, stating, 'Women must be protected more than ever.' Protesters also criticized media coverage, arguing it often focuses on victim-blaming rather than holding perpetrators accountable.

Femicide Crisis and Legislative Debate in Argentina

This horrific event has reignited national conversations about the pervasive issue of femicide in Argentina. Statistics indicate that one woman is killed every 36 hours in the country due to gender-based violence. Femicide was incorporated into Argentina's penal code in 2012 as an aggravating factor for homicides, carrying a penalty of life imprisonment. However, President Javier Milei's administration has announced intentions to remove 'femicide' as a distinct legal category from the penal code, arguing that it implies a woman's life is worth more than a man's. This proposed legislative change has drawn strong condemnation from women's rights advocates and organizations, who view it as a significant setback in the fight against gender violence.