Daijiworld Media Network – Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, Sep 28: Thousands of Argentines marched through the streets of Buenos Aires on Saturday demanding justice for three young women whose torture and murders were allegedly live-streamed on social media, shocking the nation.

Relatives of the victims—20-year-old cousins Morena Verdi and Brenda del Castillo, and 15-year-old Lara Gutierrez—led the march to Parliament carrying banners that read “Lara, Brenda, Morena” and placards with their images. Protesters, many from feminist groups, beat drums and held signs declaring “It was a narco-feminicide!” and “Our lives are not disposable!”

The three victims were found buried Wednesday in the yard of a house in a southern suburb of Buenos Aires, five days after they disappeared. Investigators linked the crime to drug gangs and said it was allegedly broadcast live to 45 followers of a private Instagram account.

“We must protect women more than ever,” said Leonel del Castillo, Brenda’s father, who could not identify his daughter’s body due to the brutality. Their grandfather, Antonio del Castillo, tearfully called the killers “bloodthirsty,” adding, “You wouldn’t do what they did to an animal.”

National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich confirmed the arrest of a fifth suspect on Friday in Villazon, near the Bolivian border, bringing the total detained to three men and two women. Authorities are still searching for the alleged mastermind, a 20-year-old Peruvian.

Investigators said the victims were lured on September 19 to what they believed was a party, but were abducted in a van and tortured as a “punishment” for allegedly violating gang rules. A detainee later revealed the existence of the video, which reportedly shows gang members cutting off fingers, pulling out nails, and suffocating the women while a leader warned, “This is what happens to those who steal drugs from me.”

Meta, Instagram’s parent company, said it has found no evidence the livestream occurred on its platform and is cooperating with law enforcement.

Family members and supporters dismissed rumors linking the victims to drugs or sex work. “We want justice to be done, for nothing to be covered up, for the whole truth to come out,” said Del Valle Galvan, Lara’s aunt.

The grisly case has ignited nationwide outrage over femicide and gender-based violence, with protesters demanding swift accountability and stronger protections for women.