Argentinian esports organisation BESTIA has suspended its co-CEO and co-owner Santiago ‘Santutu‘ Rodriguez after making racist feedback throughout a Kick stream.
The choice to problem an indefinite suspension follows a wave of public backlash alongside apologies from Rodriguez and the organisation.
The incident happened on January thirty first, following BESTIA’s elimination from the FiReCONTER Season 1 Counter-Strike 2 occasion. The organisation rapidly distanced itself from the remarks made by Rodriguez with the discharge of an announcement.
“BESTIA apologises to everybody for the statements made by Santutu. These opinions don’t characterize or replicate the values we promote as an organisation. We categorically reject any type of racism or discrimination.”
Earlier than BESTIA launched an announcement, Rodriguez posted an apology throughout his social media channels. “Really and in all honesty, I can’t consider what I mentioned on my stream,” he wrote. “It doesn’t characterize me or communicate even a little bit to who I’m as a human being. I’m sorry from the underside of my coronary heart to everybody. I’ll step away for a time to replicate on my actions and take into consideration every part that occurred.”
Based in 2023, BESTIA has grown into one in all South America’s outstanding esports organisations. Its Counter-Strike 2 group scored a top-four end at FiRECONTER Season 1 and has competed in a wide range of B-tier esports occasions.
What Subsequent For BESTIA?
With Rodriguez serving an indefinite suspension for his position on the organisation, the way forward for his place inside BESTIA stays unclear.
The organisation caught the eye of followers after it was changed by Legacy for the BLAST.television Austin Main in Could 2025. Presently ranked ninth within the Americas Valve Regional Standings (VRS), the group stays in competition to earn a spot on the IEM Cologne Main.
BESTIA’s founder, Alejandro ‘Paop MC‘ Lococo, additionally commented on the incident: “There are moments when phrases are pointless, and that is one in all them. We repudiate any act of discrimination; it doesn’t align with the values of our organisation. This can’t and won’t occur once more.”
