The succession of violent crimes brings the focus back to the serious security crisis and the disastrous Kirchnerist management
Kevin Martínez, 18, and Walter Ponce, 22, died on the spot. Rodrigo Vargas, 22, was taken injured to Paroissien Hospital, where his death was later confirmed. A fourth member of the group, a minor, was hit by a bullet and taken to Simplemente Evita Hospital, while the fifth suspect remains at large.
Under the Kirchnerist administration, La Matanza is currently experiencing one of the most violent periods in its history, amid a serious security crisis generated by the disastrous provincial government of Axel Kicillof.
In the last month, the local Homicide Unit investigated at least 18 homicides. The cases were distributed almost equally: eight occurred during the last fortnight and nine in the previous one.
The figure even places the Buenos Aires municipality above Rosario in terms of violent deaths during the reported period. In the city of Santa Fe, eight homicides were recorded during July and so far in August, according to official statistics. Thus, La Matanza accumulates more than one violent death every two days.
The scenario combines different types of episodes: victims of insecurity, criminals killed during confrontations, and murders linked to the drug trade. The succession of cases once again highlights the seriousness of the security situation in the district, under Kirchnerist management.
One of the most recent episodes occurred on Friday night in Rafael Castillo. A couple of officers from the City Police shot down three criminals who attempted to rob them as they arrived in a gray Volkswagen Fox at a residence located on Sudamérica at 2400.
The attackers got out of a Renault Sandero, and one of them was armed. A security camera recorded the entire sequence.
Prosecutor Claudio Fornaro, a member of the Homicide Unit of La Matanza, determined that the police acted in legitimate defense.
That same Friday, Lorenzo Fiorentino, 82, died after being attacked in his home in San Justo. Three criminals wearing masks entered after cutting a fence, bound him, and beat him in front of his wife to steal his pension. The shock caused by the violent attack ultimately led to his death.
On Thursday, another homicide was added to the list in Rafael Castillo. A man was found shot dead at the corner of Toluca and Francisco Beazley, just meters from a drug sales bunker. Additionally, on Sunday night, another young man was shot while riding his motorcycle through Virrey del Pino.
Prosecutor Fornaro finished his biweekly shift and handed over command to his colleague Adrián Arribas. Earlier, Diego Rulli had received the investigation of nine homicides, seven of which were concentrated in just ten days.
With 18 homicides in just one month, La Matanza is once again at the center of the Buenos Aires security crisis, with a huge number of violent deaths that already far exceeds those recorded in Rosario.
