The province of Buenos Aires is once again at the center of controversy following the
murder of Brenda del Castillo, Morena Verdi, and Lara Gutiérrez , three young women who disappeared in La Matanza and were found dead in a home in Florencio Varela. The case generated a strong social upheaval and, at the same time, revived criticism of the administration of communist governor
Axel Kicillof , whom they accuse of being the main person responsible for the rise of
insecurity and drug trafficking in the province.
The three women were last seen last Friday at the La Tablada roundabout, when they got into a white van. Since then, family members and neighbors began a desperate search that ended with the worst outcome: the Buenos Aires Police found the bodies in a house in the Villa Vatteone area of Florencio Varela, after a search based on the trail left by one of the women’s cell phone.
This crime not only reflects the brutality of the criminal groups operating in the province, but also the lack of effective policies to curb their spread. A growing number of voices are blaming Governor Axel Kicillof , accusing him of implementing measures that have fostered impunity and strengthened criminal gangs in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area. For families and neighbors, this tragedy is a testament to state neglect and the lack of security in the most vulnerable neighborhoods.
In the days leading up to their discovery, family members and friends of the young women had held protests at the La Tablada roundabout, the same place where they were last seen. There, they demanded justice and answers from the authorities. “We’re going to stay until they appear,” said Lara’s godmother at one of the demonstrations, reflecting the desperation felt in the community.
However, the demands have morphed into a much broader demand: justice and security in a province where cases of violence, drug trafficking, and disappearances have increased in recent years. Kicillof’s administration, which promised to combat insecurity, now faces strong criticism for its lack of concrete results and for a “soft” approach to crime.
At the scene, two people were trying to clean the house amid a strong smell of bleach, according to reports. Authorities confirmed that they were the missing young women, leaving their families devastated. It was the grandfather of two of the victims who confirmed their identities and tearfully recounted the difficult time the family is going through.
Investigations indicate that the three girls were murdered at a party linked to a drug gang in Villa 1-11-14 , with connections to various locations in the suburbs. So far, four people have been arrested, including a Peruvian couple, suspected of being responsible for the raided home.
Residents of Florencio Varela described the house where the discovery took place as an ordinary home in a quiet neighborhood, which increases the feeling of vulnerability: anyone could be exposed to similar situations without the State taking action in time.
Today, Buenos Aires society is in shock and demands that this crime not go unpunished. Meanwhile, criticism of Kicillof and his security policies continues to grow, with increasingly strong accusations: the lack of control and the expansion of drug trafficking in the province are direct consequences of his administration.
