Latest news with #CristinaFernandez
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lula visits former Argentine President Cristina Kirchner in house arrest
By Lucila Sigal BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -After participating in Mercosur trade talks in Buenos Aires, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner on Thursday at her apartment in Buenos Aires, where she is serving a six-year sentence for corruption. Kirchner called Lula's visit "a political act of solidarity," in a post on X following the meeting, and said that the Brazilian leader had also been a victim of political persecution. In 2017, Lula faced a corruption conviction for which he served 19 months in prison. Lula, a leftist leader, did not meet privately with Argentine right-wing libertarian President Javier Milei, who has called him a "communist" and "corrupt." During the trade summit and Lula's first visit to Argentina since Milei took office, Brazil took up the rotating presidency of the Mercosur bloc. Kirchner was president of Argentina from 2007 to 2015 and last month began serving a sentence for participating in a fraud scheme that steered public road work projects to a close ally while she was president. The sentence, upheld in June by the country's Supreme Court, also bars Fernandez from holding office. In recent days, supporters of Kirchner have rallied outside of her apartment, hoping to catch a glimpse of the prominent opposition figure when she appears on her balcony. After the Supreme Court upheld Kirchner's sentence, Lula said on social media site X that he called Kirchner to express support and spoke to her "about the importance of staying strong in this difficult moment."
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands march in Buenos Aires as ex-president Kirchner starts house arrest
By Nicolás Misculin BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -Tens of thousands of Argentines marched in the streets of Buenos Aires on Wednesday, banging drums and chanting in a show of support for ex-president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner as she started a six-year sentence under house arrest for corruption. Kirchner, a two-term president from 2007-2015, is the country's most prominent politician in recent decades, though her leftist brand of populism sharply divides opinion. She is the nemesis of current libertarian President Javier Milei. Supporters from her Peronist movement took to the streets with flares, giant posters with her image, and banners saying "Always With Cristina", a reflection of how she retains popular backing with her core supporter base. Kirchner, 72, claims the allegations against her are politically driven. "It was what they needed to get rid of her, so she wouldn't be in the (election) running. They knew she could beat them," said Laura Abal, 66, a pedicurist who took part in the march, referring to Kirchner's foiled plans to run as a local lawmaker. Kirchner has some 20% voter support, polls show, though is opposed by many who recall her interventionist policies. She still holds huge sway over the opposition Peronists, Argentina's dominant political bloc in the last half century. Argentina's Supreme Court last week upheld a 2022 conviction against Kirchner related to a fraud scheme involving public projects in the southern Patagonia region. That also included a lifetime ban from holding public political office. Some analysts say the detention could, though boost her image by making her a political martyr, adding she could potentially exercise influence from her Buenos Aires apartment where the judge ordered that she serve out her sentence due to her age. "Can I go out on my balcony or not?" Fernández humorously asked on Wednesday on the social network X, a reference to how she could rouse the crowds in the streets below in potential violation of court orders not to cause disruption. Presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni on Wednesday avoided crowing over the sentence, though hailed the fact that "justice" had prevailed. "The arrest of a former president is not pleasant for any democracy, although, of course, it is a source of joy that justice exists and puts some things right," he said.
Reuters
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Thousands march in Buenos Aires as ex-president Kirchner starts house arrest
BUENOS AIRES, June 18 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Argentines marched in the streets of Buenos Aires on Wednesday, banging drums and chanting in a show of support for ex-president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner as she started a six-year sentence under house arrest for corruption. Kirchner, a two-term president from 2007-2015, is the country's most prominent politician in recent decades, though her leftist brand of populism sharply divides opinion. She is the nemesis of current libertarian President Javier Milei. Supporters from her Peronist movement took to the streets with flares, giant posters with her image, and banners saying "Always With Cristina", a reflection of how she retains popular backing with her core supporter base. Kirchner, 72, claims the allegations against her are politically driven. "It was what they needed to get rid of her, so she wouldn't be in the (election) running. They knew she could beat them," said Laura Abal, 66, a pedicurist who took part in the march, referring to Kirchner's foiled plans to run as a local lawmaker. Kirchner has some 20% voter support, polls show, though is opposed by many who recall her interventionist policies. She still holds huge sway over the opposition Peronists, Argentina's dominant political bloc in the last half century. Argentina's Supreme Court last week upheld a 2022 conviction against Kirchner related to a fraud scheme involving public projects in the southern Patagonia region. That also included a lifetime ban from holding public political office. Some analysts say the detention could, though boost her image by making her a political martyr, adding she could potentially exercise influence from her Buenos Aires apartment where the judge ordered that she serve out her sentence due to her age. "Can I go out on my balcony or not?" Fernández humorously asked on Wednesday on the social network X, a reference to how she could rouse the crowds in the streets below in potential violation of court orders not to cause disruption. Presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni on Wednesday avoided crowing over the sentence, though hailed the fact that "justice" had prevailed. "The arrest of a former president is not pleasant for any democracy, although, of course, it is a source of joy that justice exists and puts some things right," he said.
Bloomberg
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Kirchner Begins Her House Arrest: ‘Can I Go Out to My Balcony or Not?'
Former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner started her first full day of house arrest wondering what she can actually do at her home in Argentina's capital for the next six years. With throngs of supporters swarming outside her Buenos Aires apartment Wednesday, Kirchner sought clarity from a judge before she opened her French doors.
Free Malaysia Today
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Argentina's ex-president Kirchner gets house arrest in graft case
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner retains a fiercely loyal support base despite her legal setbacks. (EPA Images pic) BUENOS AIRES : An Argentine judge today put former president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner under house arrest to serve out a six-year sentence for corruption in a case that has effectively brought down the country's most prominent politician in recent decades. Kirchner, 72, a polarising leftist two-term president from 2007 to 2015, as well as a former first lady, VP and senator, was convicted by a court in 2022 over a fraud scheme involving public projects in Patagonia that allegedly benefited an ally. Argentina's Supreme Court last week upheld the conviction and sentence following an appeal. That also includes a lifetime ban from holding public political office. Kirchner has denied wrongdoing, claiming political persecution. The judge today ruled that Kirchner should serve the sentence, effective immediately, at her Buenos Aires residence due to her age, adding she would wear an electronic ankle tag. Kirchner had sought house arrest to avoid going to jail. She must remain at home except for court-approved or justified exceptions and, within 48 working hours, provide a list of authorised individuals, including household members and medical staff. Other visitors will require court approval. Kirchner is one of Argentina's most divisive political figures. Her influence still looms large over the left-leaning Peronist movement, even after its defeat in 2023 to libertarian president Javier Milei. Today, a few thousand supporters rallied in Buenos Aires, banging drums, blocking roads and waving banners bearing the image of Eva Peron, the iconic former first lady. 'Evita' was revered by many Argentines for her advocacy for the poor and workers' rights during her husband Juan Peron's presidency in the mid-20th century. 'We're going to keep fighting for her release,' said Manuel Ortiz, a Kirchner supporter, outside her Buenos Aires apartment. 'We're going to fight with everything and give our lives for her, because we are Peronists.' Kirchner's popularity and the broader Peronist movement have taken a hit in recent years, especially during her 2019–2023 vice-presidency under Alberto Fernandez. His administration struggled with runaway inflation and a deepening economic crisis driven in part by excessive money printing. Despite her legal setbacks, Kirchner retains a fiercely loyal support base, particularly among working-class voters who benefited from subsidies during her presidency and that of her late husband Nestor Kirchner. She is not the first Argentine leader to face criminal conviction. Former president Carlos Menem was sentenced to over four years in prison for embezzlement in the 1990s, though his role as senator shielded him from serving time behind bars.
