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(News updated 15/8, 15hs)

SAN JUAN, Argentina. Naira Castillo, a 32-year-old trans woman and drag artist from the Casa de la Cultura (House of Culture), was hospitalized with burns covering 40% of her body, along with her partner, Federico Navarro. On the evening of Thursday, August 10, a delivery person on a bicycle left what appeared to be a "gift" at their home in San Juan. The package exploded in their hands.

It happened between Haiti and Republic of Lebanon streets in the San Luis neighborhood of San Juan, Rawson Department , around 9 p.m. Officers from Police Station No. 24, the Scientific Police, the Fire Investigation Division, and the local Fire Department responded. Both Naira and her partner were treated by medical personnel at Marcial Quiroga Hospital.

Local media labeled the incident as “Two people seriously injured in a fire,” “explosion in Rawson,” and “Confusing fire under investigation,” based on a report from Police Station No. 24. But Officer Ortiz claimed he “could not share information with this agency” when asked.

Growth of hate speech

For Mathías Gael Bravo, president of the Diversity Council and Primavera Diversa Cultural Collective, it was an attack on the LGBTI+ community of San Juan. “Naira herself told one of the police officers at Marcial Quiroga Hospital, as soon as she arrived, that she had received a speaker as a gift that had exploded.”  

He added, “I believe this was not an accident. It wasn't a fire, nor was it a coincidence. It's also not the first time such alleged accidents of this nature have occurred. Hate speech has been circulating in our province for some time now. While there are many rights and achievements, there are specific right-wing hate groups, and they are making impressive progress . It's a constant attack, and we are very afraid.”

San Juan and the escalation of hatred

According to the latest report carried out in 2020 by the Hate Crimes Observatory of the Argentine LGBT Federation : “(…) Of the total number of people in the LGBT community who were victims of hate crimes registered in 2020, 84% of the cases (127) correspond to trans women (transvestites, transsexuals and transgender people); in second place, with 12% (19) are cis gay men; in third place with 3% of the cases (4) are lesbians; and finally with 1% (2) are trans men.

San Juan appears to be no exception to these national statistics. Since last week, local LGBTI+ organizations have publicly denounced and warned the community about attacks with explosives at a community-friendly bar called “Casa Fuegah .” There, anonymous bystanders threw explosives at dissidents who were waiting in line for a party called Viciosx.

In response, the Spartan Trans Men's Association posted on its social media and WhatsApp groups: “Be very careful, they are distributing boxes containing explosives. This happened to Naira and the same thing happened at Casa Fuegah.”

Leyla Espinosa, a leader of the January 22nd Diversity Group, said, “There are always kids throwing firecrackers and explosives; there’s an intention to vandalize that place . It happens every so often.” She then pointed out the importance of the current electoral context in Argentina and its connection to the LGBTI+ community: “What terrifies me is that Milei will win. I saw many comrades from the LGBTQ+ community supporting him. He pulled off a major upset here, and I don’t even want to imagine what it could be like there,” she said, alluding to local experiences.

The wait for clarification

The investigation is being led by prosecutor Iván Grassi of the Special Crimes Unit. “The package hypothesis is a possibility we haven't ruled out and is currently under investigation,” he explained . However, he noted, “So far, no one suspicious has been observed in the security camera footage.”

Regarding the other initial theories surrounding the incident, he stated: “There are several hypotheses under investigation. On the one hand, the hypothesis of gender-based violence within the couple has been ruled out. On the other hand, the Fire Department indicated that there was a strong smell of gas in the house where they intervened Thursday night; the fire is believed to have started in an electrical outlet inside one of the rooms, and today we have added information from the EcoGas company (which conducted an investigation yesterday at Naira's house) that three houses, including the one involved, share the same gas connection,” the official explained, alluding to one of the hypotheses that the explosion originated from a gas leak and accumulation.

Meanwhile, both Naira's mother and sister are awaiting her recovery and the progress of her health. "I want to tell you that Naira has already been moved to a regular room where she expels air from the inside out to prevent viruses and bacteria from getting near her. Her bandages will be changed every 48 hours," said Celina Castillo, Naira's sister, who kindly shares her sister's medical updates daily with friends and family. 

When asked about the possible explanations for the incident, he said, “I’ve heard several things, but as my mom and I say, we’ll know everything as soon as Naira wakes up.” Something the San Juan LGBTQ+ community is also eagerly awaiting.