Breakthrough in Florencio Varela triple femicide
A high-stakes chase spanning two countries culminated in a key breakthrough for investigators: a man identified as the mastermind behind the Florencio Varela triple femicide is in custody. Peruvian police officials announced the arrest of Tony Valverde Victoriano, known by the alias Pequeño J, who prosecutors say orchestrated a narcotics gang’s deadly operation that claimed the lives of three young women in Argentina.
Valverde Victoriano, 20, was captured by agents from Peru’s National Police (PNP) while hiding inside a truck in the southern district of Pucusana, near Lima. He is accused of leading a criminal network involved in drug trafficking and, according to Argentine authorities, presided over the events that resulted in the deaths of Morena Verdi (20), Brenda del Castillo (20), and Lara Gutiérrez (15). The brutal killings, which reportedly included torture, were first revealed to a private social media group before becoming the subject of a broader international investigation.
How Peru helped crack the case
Images released by authorities show the moment the suspect was located by the Division de Investigación Especial (DIVINESP) of the PNP in Pucusana. Officials say the capture demonstrates what can be achieved when South American law-enforcement agencies cooperate with determination and precision. The operation underscores a growing trend of cross-border policing efforts in major criminal cases that spill over into neighboring countries.
From the crime scene to a cross-border pursuit
The Florencio Varela investigation has unfolded over weeks, revealing a network with ties to narcotics trafficking and organized crime working across borders. In the hours before Valverde Victoriano’s capture, Argentine authorities reported the arrest of another suspect in a separate location, signaling coordinated efforts to dismantle the leadership of the criminal group.
The broader hunt and next steps
Valverde Victoriano’s detention makes him the ninth person detained in connection with the Florencio Varela triple femicide, which shocked residents of the Buenos Aires province when the bodies of the three young women were found after five days of disappearance. Earlier arrests included two men and two women initially held after the discovery, followed by a man detained in Bolivia after fleeing across the border. A seventh suspect was captured while giving a television interview, and a subsequent capture rounded out the early wave of arrests.
Argentina and Peru have both signaled that extradition processes will unfold for those accused in the case, including Valverde Victoriano. Argentine Security Minister Patricia Bullrich lauded the Peruvian operation and reaffirmed cooperation with Interpol to bring those responsible to justice. Bullrich emphasized that collaboration between nations is essential when criminals attempt to hide behind distant borders. As authorities pursue extradition for the other apprehended suspects, the Florencio Varela case continues to unfold in courtrooms across the region.
Impact on the families and the public discourse
Families of the victims have urged transparency and accountability as investigations advance. The case has become a reference point in discussions about violence against women and the need for stronger cross-border criminal justice mechanisms. While the hunt for all implicated individuals continues, the latest arrest signals a turning point in a case that has drawn national and international attention.
What comes next
With Valverde Victoriano in custody, prosecutors will press for formal charges and pursue extradition procedures to Argentina. The international nature of the crime will likely keep this case in the headlines as authorities seek to dismantle the leadership of the criminal network and deliver justice for the victims and their families.
