Overview

• Opening the 51st youth pilgrimage to Luján on Oct. 4, García Cuerva warned that when the state withdraws from neighborhoods, a so‑called narco state takes hold.
• He described the Florencio Varela case as the expression of a subworld tied to drugs, violence and arms trafficking that requires a serious national response.
• Investigators say the Sept. 13 killings of Morena Verdi, Brenda del Castillo and 15‑year‑old Lara Gutiérrez bear a narco signature, possibly linked to an alleged cocaine theft.
• Asked about deputy José Luis Espert’s ties to jailed trafficker Federico “Fred” Machado, the archbishop said such links are not acceptable as Espert refuses to quit his Oct. 26 bid.
• Bishops from Quilmes and San Justo recently decried areas left to narco mafias, and organizers reported strong youth turnout under the theme “Mother, give us love to walk with hope.”