Key Takeaways
- Argentina’s Supreme Court unanimously upheld the conviction against former President Cristina Kirchner in the “Vialidad” (Roadworks) case, sentencing her to six years in prison and a lifetime ban from public office for fraudulent administration.
- The ruling marks a historic precedent, making Kirchner the first former Argentine president to receive a firm corruption conviction, effectively ending her political aspirations.
- The case centered on 51 irregular road construction contracts awarded to businessman Lázaro Báez during the Kirchner presidencies (2003-2015), with the Court affirming that ample evidence supported the finding of a scheme to defraud the state.
Argentina’s political landscape has been irrevocably reshaped following a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of Justice, which unanimously upheld the conviction of former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner for fraudulent administration. The ruling, announced today, confirms a six-year prison sentence and a permanent disqualification from holding public office, effectively extinguishing the electoral ambitions of one of the nation’s most dominant political figures.
The Supreme Court’s decision brings a definitive end to the high-profile “Vialidad” (Roadworks) case, rejecting Kirchner’s final appeals. Judges Horacio Rosatti, Carlos Rosenkrantz, and Ricardo Lorenzetti concurred that the previous rulings by Federal Oral Court 2 (TOF 2) and the Chamber of Cassation were based on “abundant evidence produced” and that “due process has been safeguarded.” This verdict makes Kirchner the first former Argentine president to face a firm corruption conviction, a development that sends ripples throughout the nation’s political system.
The case revolved around 51 public roadworks contracts awarded to companies controlled by businessman Lázaro Báez in the southern province of Santa Cruz between 2003 and 2015, spanning the presidencies of Néstor and Cristina Kirchner. Prosecutors alleged a scheme of irregularities, including overpricing, unjustified delays, and unfinished works, designed to benefit Báez’s businesses to the detriment of the state. Only 27 of the 51 awarded projects were reportedly completed by Báez’s holding.
A key piece of evidence cited by the courts was Decree 54/2009, which modified a pre-existing trust to provide an “unlimited source of financing” to the National Road Directorate, creating what judges described as an “instrument for the criminal maneuver.” This mechanism allegedly allowed for greater opacity and discretion in allocating funds, benefiting particular interests. The Court highlighted the “personal and commercial relationships” between Kirchner and Báez, as well as the economic benefits obtained, as crucial elements in its decision.
In their unified ruling, the Supreme Court justices affirmed that “the applied sanctions are those determined by the current legal framework. The imposition of prison sentences and disqualification does nothing more than protect our republican and democratic system according to the criminal laws enacted by the people’s representatives in the National Congress.” They systematically rejected the defense’s arguments, which included claims of lawful commercial transactions and attempts to shift responsibility to third parties. The Court found that the defense failed to effectively rebut the evidence concerning Kirchner’s undisputed responsibility in issuing Decree 54/2009 and the personal economic gain.
Despite the firm conviction, the Supreme Court also confirmed Kirchner’s acquittal on the charge of illicit association, dismissing the prosecution’s request to increase her sentence to 12 years. Other key figures convicted in the case include Lázaro Báez, former Public Works Secretary José López, and former head of the National Road Directorate Nelson Periotti, all sentenced to six years.
The original complaint that initiated the investigation was filed by Elisa Carrió, leader of the Civic Coalition, while Kirchner was still president. For Cristina Kirchner, now 72 and the current leader of the Justicialist Party (PJ) and a prominent opposition figure to President Javier Milei, the ruling means an end to her political career. Although she had reportedly intended to run for a seat in the Buenos Aires Legislature, the lifetime disqualification from public office prevents this. Due to her age, she may be eligible to serve her sentence under house arrest. Kirchner had anticipated the ruling, making public statements about the impending decision and organizing a political rally days prior, signaling a call for “political resistance.”
The Supreme Court’s unanimous decision underscores the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law in high-profile corruption cases, setting a significant precedent for accountability in Argentina’s political sphere.
Read More:
https://www.clarin.com/politica/corte-ratifico-fallo-vialidad-cristina-kirchner-podra-candidata-ir-presa-corrupcion_0_3Tx8nax7kk.html
https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/la-corte-suprema-confirmo-la-condena-a-cristina-kirchner-a-prision-y-no-podra-ser-candidata-nid10062025/