The brutal torture and murder of three young women, one just a teenager, would have been horrifying enough on its own. However, what truly sent a shiver down Argentina’s spine was the chilling revelation by authorities: the accused drug traffickers livestreamed their heinous crime across social media platforms.
Last Friday, the victims — Brenda del Castillo (20), Morena Verdi (20), and Lara Gutiérrez (15) — were allegedly enticed to a secluded house on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. There, their horrific torture and killing unfolded live on a private Instagram stream, witnessed by approximately 45 people, as reported by regional officials.
Investigators suspect a powerful international drug organization orchestrated this brutal act. According to authorities, the crime was a calculated message, likely in retaliation for a small drug package allegedly stolen by one of the victims.
“Everything points to a drug-related revenge,” declared Javier Alonso, the security minister for the Province of Buenos Aires, during a press conference on Wednesday. “We can unequivocally call it a settling of scores.”
These gruesome murders have deeply shocked many Argentinians. Such extreme violence at the hands of drug gangs is relatively uncommon in the country, especially when compared to the grim realities faced in Mexico and other Latin American nations. This incident also highlights a disturbing trend: criminal organizations increasingly use social media to broadcast their savagery, aiming to terrorize rivals, silence journalists, and instill fear in the public.
The three victims were last seen on September 19, around 9:30 p.m., entering a white van in a Buenos Aires suburban neighborhood. Police stated they were then lured to a house approximately 18 miles away, under the false pretense of being offered payment for sex work.
“They were meticulously deceived into participating in this event,” Mr. Alonso emphasized, underscoring the sophisticated planning by an international criminal network to ensnare the women.
Later that same night, the women were tortured and murdered, with their agonizing ordeal broadcast live to dozens of viewers on social media, Mr. Alonso confirmed. Authorities have chosen not to disclose further graphic details of the crime.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.
This week, a breakthrough in the investigation led to the discovery of the victims’ bodies, buried in plastic bags within a garden. So far, four individuals have been apprehended, but authorities believe more suspects are involved.
Officials warn that criminal groups are significantly expanding their operations in Argentina. The nation has become a critical transit point for drug smugglers moving narcotics from Bolivia and Peru to Europe. This escalating drug trade fuels fierce competition and brutal violence among rival gangs battling for control and illicit profits.
President Javier Milei, known for his staunch law-and-order libertarian stance, has vowed a firm response to cartel violence, pledging to prosecute gang members with the full force of anti-terrorism laws.