Mar del Plata Residents Protest as Violence Surges with Three Deaths in 24 Hours

Mar del Plata is grappling with a disturbing escalation of violence, culminating in three tragic deaths within a single day: a femicide and two homicides. The discovery of Johana Mailén Antonich's body, bearing stab wounds and signs of attempted abuse, sent shockwaves through the community. This incident capped a period of heightened crime, marked by residents' protests across various neighborhoods demanding greater police intervention against a surge in robberies and home invasions.

So far, provincial and local authorities have offered little comment on the escalating crisis in a city that has already recorded nearly 30 homicides this year. Many of these killings are linked to disputes or revenge killings. The social climate is growing increasingly tense, with a city-wide protest planned for Wednesday to unify the disparate neighborhood demands for security. The demonstration aims to pass by the municipal government building and the departmental police headquarters.

The femicide of Antonich was confirmed early Sunday. The previous afternoon, Héctor Ruiz, a shopkeeper, was shot and killed by two assailants during a robbery attempt at his store. This followed the earlier death of Alberto Rodríguez, who was reportedly beaten and shot after being robbed of his car, which he used for a ride-sharing service.

Antonich's alleged killers, José Luis Aquino and Agustín Díaz Bartolomé, have been detained and refused to testify. They are accused of beating, stabbing, and killing the 24-year-old mother of two young children. Her family stated she worked a night shift at a store and was seeking additional income.

“

When we went to look for her, she was surely still