Argentina’s Top Court Upholds Fernandez’s Jail Term, Bars Her from Office

Argentina’s Supreme Court has upheld a six-year prison sentence against former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, confirming a corruption conviction that also permanently disqualifies her from holding public office.

The court ruled on Tuesday that Ms Fernandez, 72, engaged in “an extraordinary fraudulent manoeuvre” while in office by directing public contracts to a close associate, causing the government to lose an estimated $70 million.

The ruling sparked widespread protests across Buenos Aires, with her supporters blocking major highways and gathering near her residence. Authorities have been ordered to prepare a detention centre, although her lawyer, Carlos Beraldi, is seeking house arrest due to her age.

The verdict comes just days after Fernandez launched her campaign for a seat in the Buenos Aires legislative elections, effectively ending her bid.

Rejecting the decision, the former leader accused the justices of being controlled by Argentina’s far-right government. “They’re three puppets answering to those ruling far above them,” she told supporters outside her party headquarters. “It’s the concentrated economic power of Argentina’s government.”

Fernandez served as president from 2007 to 2015 and later as vice president.