Seventh Arrest Made in Connection with Livestreamed Femicide in Argentina

Authorities in Argentina have apprehended a seventh individual suspected of involvement in the horrific murder of three young women, an incident that has drawn national outrage following reports that the killings were broadcasted live on social media.

The latest arrest occurred on Monday when police detained a 30-year-old woman as she was leaving a local television station after providing an interview. This woman is reportedly the niece of a man who was arrested the previous week for allegedly providing logistical assistance for the murders.

The uncle, currently in custody in Bolivia after fleeing Argentina, is accused of driving a vehicle that accompanied the van transporting the three victims to the location where they were killed. Security footage has reportedly placed the woman with her uncle in the car on the night of the crime, although she has denied any involvement during her interview.

The three victims, identified as 20-year-olds Morena Verdi and Brenda del Castillo, along with 15-year-old Lara Gutierrez, were found buried in a yard in a southern suburb of Buenos Aires on September 24. The young women had been missing for five days, having been lured under the pretense of attending a party.

Investigators believe the torture and murder were linked to drug trafficking organizations, with the killings allegedly intended to serve as a punitive measure for violating gang rules. Reports suggest that the brutal act was livestreamed on Instagram and witnessed by 45 members of a private account, aimed at sending a chilling warning to others involved in the criminal network.

This recent arrest brings the total number of individuals apprehended in connection to these gruesome murders to seven. Additionally, authorities have issued arrest warrants for a 20-year-old Peruvian drug trafficker believed to be the mastermind behind the incidents, along with his alleged second-in-command.

The murders have sparked widespread protests across Argentina. Over the weekend, thousands gathered outside the Argentine Parliament in Buenos Aires, demanding justice for the deceased women. Demonstrators expressed the urgent need for increased protections for women in light of the alarming rise in gender-based violence.

Leonel del Castillo, the father of one victim, emphasized the necessity for enhanced safety measures for women during the protest. The governor of Buenos Aires, Axel Kicillof, labeled the killings as a "narco-femicide," highlighting the intersection of gender violence and organized crime.

Argentina has been grappling with high rates of gender-related violence, with femicides--defined as the killing of women or girls--on the rise in recent years. This increase coincides with a governmental shift under President Javier Milei, who has announced cuts to programs aimed at addressing gender-based violence.

In January, President Milei revealed plans to remove femicide from the penal code, and in a controversial move, Argentina was the sole nation to vote against a United Nations resolution advocating for the cessation of online violence against women and girls. Earlier in 2024, the government disbanded the agency responsible for overseeing gender equality initiatives, including those addressing violence against women.