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The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation upheld the conviction of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner for corruption in the Vialidad case on Tuesday.
According to the Argentine newspaper Clarín, in its live updates, the ruling confirms the six-year prison sentence issued in 2022 along with the disqualification from holding public office against the former president, which leaves her without any possibility of candidacy in the upcoming elections.
“The Supreme Court upheld the conviction in the Vialidad case, and Cristina Kirchner will go to prison for corruption,” emphasized the news portal.
The ruling states that there was a "corruption machinery" in which the former president had a "central role," evidenced by her "promiscuous and corrupt ties" with businessman Lázaro Báez, the source indicated.
The highest court dismissed Kirchner's defense arguments, in which he attributed administrative responsibility to the Chief of Staff during the trial.
The ruling made it clear that the evidence "establishes the criminal responsibility of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner in the crime."
The judged facts cover the systematic awarding of 51 public road construction contracts in the province of Santa Cruz between 2003 and 2015, which were granted to companies linked to Lázaro Báez.
The economic growth of that business group, directly linked to those awards, was used as key evidence in the fraudulent scheme.
The court found it proven that for years, basic principles of transparency and competition were deliberately overlooked, businesses affiliated with Báez were favored with advance payments and preferential treatment, and oversight of the project's progress was neglected. According to the judges, this was a "fraudulent maneuver of unprecedented scale," orchestrated through legal mechanisms used for illicit purposes.
The Court of Cassation, which had upheld the sentence before the supreme ruling, went even further: it described the case as one of the most serious acts of corruption in Argentine history, not only due to its length and magnitude but also because of the high-ranking officials involved.
The court also noted that the then-president ignored legal warnings when signing decrees that facilitated the corruption circuit, such as decree 54/2009.
This was joined by reports of cartelization and WhatsApp messages found on the cellphone of former official José López, which reveal coordination with Báez in the final months of the Kirchner administration.
According to the judges, there was a "Clean Everything Plan" that Cristina Kirchner, Báez, and López allegedly sought to implement in order to erase compromising traces as their time in power came to an end. Part of the embezzled money is said to have ended up in companies linked to the Kirchner family, according to the ruling.
"The tragedy of this maneuver," concluded the Chamber, "is that it benefited a few while leaving a desolate landscape for many. That is the true damage caused by former presidents of the Argentine Republic and their officials."
In March, the United States government announced sanctions against Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and former Minister of Federal Planning, Julio De Vido, for their involvement in corruption cases during their time in office.
The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced through an official statement that the designation, made under Section 7031(c) of the State Department, prevents both Kirchner and De Vido, along with their immediate family members, from entering the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cristina Kirchner's Conviction for Corruption
What was the decision of the Supreme Court of Argentina regarding Cristina Kirchner?
The Supreme Court of Argentina unanimously upheld the conviction of Cristina Kirchner for corruption in the Vialidad case, reaffirming the six-year prison sentence and the disqualification from holding public office.
Why was Cristina Kirchner convicted in the Vialidad case?
Cristina Kirchner was convicted for her central role in a corruption scheme linked to the systematic awarding of public works contracts to companies associated with businessman Lázaro Báez, which was deemed a large-scale fraudulent maneuver.
What implications does the conviction have for Cristina Kirchner's political future?
The conviction disqualifies Cristina Kirchner from holding public office, eliminating the possibility of participating as a candidate in future elections in Argentina.
What other actions has the international community taken regarding the corruption cases involving Cristina Kirchner?
The U.S. government imposed sanctions on Cristina Kirchner and former minister Julio De Vido, prohibiting them from entering the country due to their involvement in significant corruption, highlighting the U.S. commitment to the fight against global corruption.
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