Violence-ridden Rosario suffered one murder a day in August

Peace will not come to Rosario: the violence-ridden city registered a recorded number of murders last month with 31 violent killings in the same number of days.

The details behind the staggering figure also reveals that innocent citizens who have nothing to do with the bloody drug war that has been raging in Rosario for years are being caught up in the wave of violence gripping the city.

Last month's death toll included six women, four children and an 81-year-old woman who was beaten to death in her home. 

Data published by the El Litoral newspaper last week showed that the neighbourhood of Ludueña is among the most violent in the city, recorded seven murders in August. In the barrios of Tablada and Vía Honda, three killings were registered, while in Empalme Graneros there were two.

One murder stood out from all the others that took place last month: the shocking killing of 13-year-old Lucas Vega Caballero.

The youngster, a youth footballer for local club Rosario Central and a resident of the Fisherton Oeste neighbourhood in the city's northwest, was shot on August 1 just a few metres from his home in a drive-by shooting.

According to initial reports, the teenager was caught up in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting and suffered a fatal chest wound. At least three others also suffered injuries in the attack. Local residents described the incident as "a massacre" and said it was a case of mistaken identity.

"We deeply regret the death of Lucas Vega, 13 years old, who was a player of our institution in the youth divisions. We send our condolences to the family at this difficult time, we join the call for justice and demand the clarification of Lucas' death," the club said in a statement released via social media.

Vega Caballero was rushed to the Eva Perón Hospital in Granadero Baigorria but was pronounced dead on arrival. At least three other teenagers were wounded in the attack.

Just two days later, 15-year-old Zoe Romero was killed in the Moderno neighbourhood outside her home by two hitmen on a motorcycle.

Local residents were also outraged after it emerged that Amalia Molina, an 81-year-old retiree who was attacked by robbers in her home, had passed away on August 19 after almost a month in hospital.

The injuries she suffered in the attack, which took place on July 21, were so severe that she failed to recover.

Rosario, located 310 kilometres (190 miles) from Buenos Aires, is Argentina's third-largest city. Gripped by a drug-war, it is also the most violent in the country, with a murder rate three times the national average. 

Between January and July, there were 168 homicides in the city, a third more than in the same period in 2021, with 70 percent concentrated in four neighbourhoods.
 

– TIMES/PERFIL/AFP