Hundreds of so-called “kirchnerism” militants spent dawn this Tuesday (23rd) standing guard in front of the building where Cristina Kirchner lives in Buenos Aires. Militancy has been called upon to occupy the space of protests against the former president and current vice president accused of leading a gang that has embezzled nearly US$1 billion through public works.
After the Public Ministry’s request for Cristina Kirchner to be imprisoned for 12 years and unable to hold any public office, thousands of people went to the former president’s house to protest in a pot. A clash of pros and cons ensued between the protesters.
This is the largest anti-corruption case in Argentine history and the first to prosecute a ruling leader for corruption. It was a call to reprimand, but it felt like a sentence. The reaction was protest and bad luck against the person who ran the country as president and continues to run it even during his presidency.
Hundreds of people with Argentine flags in their hands went to the door of the building where Cristina Kirchner lived. They hit the pots, shouting “thief”. Everyone passing by would honk the horn and join the choir. Gradually, hundreds became thousands.
“Kirchnerism” reacted
That’s when the so-called “Kirchnerism” reacted. The bases called for organized militancy to defend Cristina Kirchner. The atmosphere was a tension between the protesters for and against. There was confusion and the police separated the groups. Gradually, the opposition protesters retreated. The militants remained there throughout the night.
According to a poll by the University of Buenos Aires, supporters of Cristina Kirchner are in the minority.
Image: REUTERS/Magali Druscovich
A study in the country’s four main and most populous provinces shows that 80% of Argentines find Cristina Kirchner guilty. Only 8% think they are innocent. 12% said they had no idea.
“I’m facing the firing squad”
Cristina Kirchner said she was persecuted by the press and justice. “I’m facing a media-judicial firing squad,” she said.
In December 2019, when the trial began, before being interrupted by the pandemic, Cristina Kirchner was named vice president. She refused to answer questions from justice and said she would be acquitted of the story.
Realizing that the arrest warrant was coming, he decided to speak. However, according to procedure, he will now be able to speak only at the end of the trial. Therefore, he announced that he will be speaking through his social networks this Tuesday at 11 am local time.
Image: Juan Mabromata/AFP
President Alberto Fernández made an official statement to “condemn” what he also called “judicial and media cruelty”. For the president, there is “no evidence” that proves a gang formation, and according to him, the persecution is aimed not to nominate Cristina Kirchner as a candidate, like other popular leaders such as former president Lula.
However, despite the efforts of the opposition, the “clean slate” was not enacted in Argentina. Cristina Kirchner could run for election next year. It may be years before a final sentence is upheld by the Supreme Court.
Gang
For the opposition, the evidence presented by the Public Ministry is “devastating and scandalous” and “a historic moment for the country”.
Prosecutor Diego Luciani wanted Cristina Kirchner to be sentenced to 12 years in prison for leading a gang of 12 people who were involved in fraudulent transactions of approximately US$1 billion against the state. Over 2.5 billion dollars.
According to the indictment, Cristina Kirchner’s gang began when her late husband Néstor Kirchner was president and continued when she was elected twice. In total, there were 12 years between 2003 and 2015.
Members of the gang included former Minister of Planning Julio de Vido and former Minister of Public Works José López, as well as Lázaro Báez, a figure Kirchners turned into a businessman.
All these names have already been convicted in other cases, and José López was caught in 2016 trying to hide bags in a convent for more than US$9 million.
This process only prosecutes potential crimes committed in public works in Santa Cruz, Patagonia, the political cradle of the Kirchners. There are three other cases in which Cristina Kirchner is also a defendant. These processes are broader and cover the whole country. Therefore, this may be the least of the problems that Cristina Kirchner will have ahead of her.
During 12 years of Kirchner administrations, all jobs in the state of Santa Cruz were won by businessman Lázaro Báez.
Contractor created days before opening
The Kirchners handed Lázaro Báez the responsibility of a company called Austral Construções, which was founded days before Néstor Kirchner took office in May 2003 and was disbanded in December 2015, days before Cristina Kirchner’s term expired.
According to investigators, Lázaro Báez had no experience as a builder. Half of the 51 works reviewed were not completed, but all were paid for. The bids will then be faked, with front companies belonging to Lázaro Báez as a fake participant.
Once paid for the job, the money would go back to the president couple via the two Kirchner hotels. Lázaro Báez and the Kirchners also allegedly issued fake daily allowances to launder money. Hotels’ accounts were always full, even though they had no guests.
If before 2003 Lázaro Báez had no property, by the end of Cristina Kirchner’s second term, she already owned 415,000 hectares in Santa Cruz, the equivalent of more than 20,000 cities in Buenos Aires. And that’s just a fraction of the money Justice now wants to save.
source: Noticias
