Argentina’s Supreme Court upheld a six-year prison sentence for former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, permanently banning her from public office due to corruption involving state contracts awarded to a friend while she was in power. The ruling has led to widespread protests, with Fernández’s supporters blocking major highways in Buenos Aires. The court has ordered the establishment of a detention center for the 72-year-old, whose lawyer has requested house arrest based on her age. This decision also bars her from participating in the upcoming Buenos Aires legislative elections shortly after she announced her campaign.
Fernández has dominated Argentine politics for two decades, associated with the leftist populist movement Kirchnerism, named after her and her late husband, Néstor Kirchner. She dismisses the corruption charges as politically motivated. During her presidency from 2007 to 2015, her administration expanded social assistance but also faced criticism for excessive state spending, contributing to economic instability and inflation. These factors helped radical libertarian Javier Milei rise to power in late 2023, celebrating the court’s ruling as a victory for justice.
The high court’s ruling followed a conviction related to the awarding of 51 public contracts to companies linked to convicted construction magnate Lázaro Báez, significantly inflating costs to the state. The court emphasized that the ruling serves to protect Argentina’s democratic system. In response, Fernández labeled the judges as puppets of economic interests and has indicated plans to appeal to international human rights organizations, disputing the impartiality of the judicial process. She faces additional corruption trials ahead.
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