Buenos AiresThe former president and former vice president of Argentina Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was sentenced this Wednesday at the Comodoro Py court, in the city of Buenos Aires, to six years in prison and a lifetime ban from public office. The Federal Chamber of Criminal Cassation ratified the sentence issued in December 2022 for the crime of fraudulent administration of resources to the detriment of the public administration. For now, Kirchner will not be arrested, as the sentence will not be final until it is confirmed by the Supreme Court, Argentina’s highest judicial body. Kirchner still has the possibility to appeal.
The former president did not appear in the courtroom where the sentence was read, nor did his defense. Kirchner, who was in a municipality in the metropolitan area of the capital for a meeting with the mayor and 400 women, expressed her discomfort yesterday on her social networks with a phrase that both she and her supporters considered “sung” and underlines a framework of political and media law in the form of law to proscribe it. Meanwhile, at the doors of the courts, dozens of people gathered in support of the former president, who arrived in the afternoon at the Institut Pátria, a Kirchnerist study center that investigates Latin American political processes, amidst ovations and chants from his followers.
In the so-called Causa Vialidad, launched in 2016, it was investigated whether the entrepreneur Lázaro Báez had benefited from the assignment of 51 public road works with state funds in the province of Santa Cruz – Kirchner’s fiefdom -, in Patagonia, between 2003 and 2015 , during the governments of Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Initially, Attorney General Diego Luciani had asked for 12 years in prison for the crimes of illicit association and administrative fraud, but Kirchner was acquitted of the first, and was therefore only convicted of the second crime, with the maximum sentence expected, six years. . Public works were one of the main objectives destroyed by the ultra-liberal government of Javier Milei, who stopped them completely considering them expensive and inefficient.
Currently, the figure of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is saved by Peronism in the face of a clear void of new leadership. After former president Alberto Fernández resigned as president of the Justicialista Party amid allegations of sexist violence in August, Cristina Kirchner became its leader last week. The gesture is interpreted as the intention to return to political activity, with a view to next year’s legislative elections in which, if the sentence ratified today is not implemented, Kirchner could run as a candidate.
The legislative elections in Argentina determine the composition of the two Chambers and Javier Milei has been dedicating all his energy to them for months: his minority in the Parliament and the Senate is what usually prevents him from making decisions by consensus, forcing him to resort to presidential decree and slowing down the head-to-toe transformation he wants to make of Argentina.
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Political Analyst Dr. Elena Garcés
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Dr. Garcés. Thank you for joining us today. We’re here to discuss the recent sentencing of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, a significant event in Argentina’s political landscape. Can you summarize the implications of this six-year prison sentence and lifetime ban from public office for Kirchner?
Dr. Elena Garcés: Good morning, and thank you for having me. The sentencing of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is monumental and multifaceted. It’s not just a legal issue; it has extensive political repercussions. Kirchner, as a former president and vice president, has long been a polarizing figure in Argentine politics. The ruling indicates a firm stance by the judiciary against political corruption, which can lead to a greater societal demand for transparency and accountability in governments. Her lifetime prohibition from public office further emphasizes the seriousness of the crime - fraudulent administration of resources to the detriment of the public administration.
Editor: Indeed, the context is critical. While the Federal Chamber of Criminal Cassation has ratified the lower court’s decision, the sentence isn’t final until confirmed by the Supreme Court. How does this add complexity to the situation?
Dr. Garcés: It absolutely does. The possibility of an appeal means that Kirchner’s legal team still has avenues to explore. In the meantime, she has not been arrested due to this pending review, which could extend the uncertainty around her political future and influence. This window creates a space for both her supporters and opponents to mobilize their narratives – those favoring her will see this as a witch hunt, while detractors may argue it reflects a justice system working as it should.
Editor: Speaking of mobilization, we saw her supporters gathering in large numbers outside the courts following the verdict. What does this reveal about her continued influence in Argentina?
Dr. Garcés: It shows that Kirchner’s political base remains strong and passionately engaged. The support she receives from her followers reflects deep-rooted loyalty and the perception that she’s a victim of a politically motivated judicial system. This sense of martyrdom can be a powerful tool in her favor. The mobilization of her supporters not only acts as a buffer to the ruling but serves as a reminder that her political ideology still resonates with many, particularly within the Kirchnerist movement.
Editor: You mentioned the “Causa Vialidad” investigation, which highlights corruption linked to public contracts. How does this case fit into the broader narrative of corruption in Latin American politics?
Dr. Garcés: The Causa Vialidad investigation is not an isolated incident; it’s part of a larger pattern of corruption that has plagued many governments in Latin America for years. The assignment of over 51 public works to entrepreneur Lázaro Báez raises questions about favoritism and misuse of state funds. This case illustrates systemic issues, where political leaders leverage their positions for personal gain, fundamentally eroding public trust. The scrutiny of such cases is essential for political reform and regeneration across the region.
Editor: Dr. Garcés, in your opinion, how can this situation influence the upcoming political landscape in Argentina?
Dr. Garcés: This could be a turning point. If Kirchner’s appeals fail, her absence from the political scene may create opportunities for fresh leadership to emerge. However, if she manages to sway public opinion and her supporters effectively, we could see a reinvigoration of “Kirchnerism,” potentially reshaping political dynamics. Moreover, the handling of this case may push other political figures to adopt more transparent practices to avoid similar scrutiny, fundamentally changing the behavior of those in power.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Garcés, for your insights on such a complex issue. The unfolding repercussions of this sentencing will certainly be a topic to watch in the coming months.
Dr. Garcés: It was my pleasure! The interplay of law, politics, and public sentiment in Argentina will undoubtedly provide significant developments for analysts and observers alike.
