Pablo Laurta: from anti-feminist activism in Uruguay to the triple murder in Córdoba

Pablo Laurta's name has resonated again in the media in Uruguay and Argentina, this time linked to one of the most shocking episodes of the year: the triple homicide in Córdoba. The Uruguayan was arrested after being accused of murdering his ex-partner Luna Giardina, his ex-mother-in-law Mariel Zamudio, and kidnapping his son Pedro, with whom he attempted to cross the border by boat into Uruguay.

However, his public life didn't begin with this. Laurta was already known in the political and media spheres for his activism in Varones Unidos, a group that promoted what they called "positive masculinity" and openly opposed the gender laws in force in Uruguay.

A profile that was already uncomfortable

For years, Laurta presented himself as a spokesperson for Varones Unidos, a group that called for the inclusion of a "male perspective" in debates about violence and discrimination. On its website, the group cited cases such as that of soccer player Mauro Icardi to illustrate what they considered "judicial discrimination against men."

Laurta's rhetoric made many people uncomfortable. In his public appearances, he frequently questioned the approach to gender policies and warned against what he called the "criminalization of men." He frequently appeared in Uruguayan media, and his provocative tone made him a controversial figure.

The Pedro Laurta case: before the crime

One of the most widely disseminated stories by Varones Unidos was that of Laurta's son, Pedro, who turned six this Tuesday. In a post prior to the crimes, the group denounced what they called "the international kidnapping of a child from Uruguay amid threats and extortion," blaming the "feminist justice system in Córdoba" for legitimizing the situation.

What no one anticipated was that, months later, the father himself would be accused of murdering the boy's mother and grandmother, and of attempting to flee with him across the Uruguay River in a boat.

From conferences in Parliament to a prison cell in Córdoba

In April 2022, Laurta participated in a conference at the Uruguayan Legislative Palace. He was introduced as a "businessman and specialist in digital media management." His speech began with a joke about his appearance: "Why should I pay attention to what this hairy, bearded, Taliban-looking guy has to say?" he asked, eliciting a few timid laughs in the room.

The meeting was organized by Varones Unidos and was attended by then-representative Elsa Capillera. In his presentation, Laurta criticized what he defined as a "neo-Marxist redefinition" of democracy. According to him, new social struggles replaced the classic dichotomy between proletarians and bourgeoisie with more identitarian ones: "oppressed women and oppressive men," "oppressed trans people and oppressors of others," "oppressed fat women and oppressive hegemonic bodies," even reaching the point of "oppressed animals and oppressive humans."

Rejection of the law on gender violence

In December 2017, Laurta was interviewed on Channel 12's Desayunos Informales program. There, he spoke out against the comprehensive gender-based violence bill, arguing that it violated the principle of equality before the law. "This bill defines two different laws for the same crime, depending on whether it's committed by a man or a woman," he stated.

Her stance generated rejection from broad sectors of society, but also found support among groups that questioned the gender perspective in the legislation.

A brutal outcome

Today, Laurta remains in a Córdoba prison, awaiting trial. The case shocked both sides of the river, not only because of the violence of the crime, but also because of the defendant's public profile. From parliamentary spokesperson to protagonist of a family tragedy, his story raises questions about the discourses circulating around gender, justice, and radicalization.