Argentina's Supreme Court Condemns Former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to Six Years in Prison for Corruption

Argentina's Supreme Court confirmed a 6-year prison sentence for former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner for corruption, rendering her ineligible for public office. The ruling may impact the country's politics, with potential effects on the Peronist party, as she remains a popular figure with a significant following. Experts believe the decision may lead to the modernization of the party and the emergence of new leaders, such as Axel Kicillof.

Argentina's Supreme Court has confirmed a 6-year prison sentence for former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner for corruption, rendering her ineligible for public office. The ruling, handed down on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, is expected to have significant political implications for the country.

Fernández de Kirchner, 72, was found guilty in 2022 of steering dozens of public works contracts during her presidency to a construction company owned by a close friend. The case, one of the most high-profile corruption trials in Argentina's recent history, has sharply divided the nation. Her supporters launched large protests, blocking roads and gathering outside the Supreme Court in Buenos Aires, while her critics welcomed the verdict.

The Supreme Court's decision upholds both the sentence and the lifetime political ban, stating that the sentence "does nothing more than to protect our republican and democratic system" [1]. Fernández de Kirchner and her lawyers had appealed the conviction, but the judges unanimously dismissed all appeals. She had been planning a political comeback by running for local office, but the perpetual ban prevents her from doing so.

The ruling brings the curtain down on the career of one of Argentina's most polarizing leaders, who has loomed large over the political landscape for two decades. Fernández de Kirchner was convicted of fraudulent administration relating to the granting of public works tenders during her 2007-2015 presidency. She denied the charges, claiming they were an attempt to silence the opposition.

The decision may lead to the modernization of the Peronist party, with new leaders such as Axel Kicillof emerging. Rosendo Fraga, a veteran political analyst, expects Fernández de Kirchner's political clout to grow if she were detained, while historian Sergio Berensztein believes the mobilization for her release would be short-lived [3].

The Supreme Court's ruling also means that Fernández de Kirchner will likely serve her sentence under house arrest, as allowed under Argentine law for defendants over 70. Her defense team can request house arrest, invoking this requirement. She turned 72 on February 19, and it is assumed that the courts will grant the request [2].

The case against Fernández de Kirchner relates to public works contracts awarded in her southern stronghold of Santa Cruz. She is accused of arranging for dozens of contracts to be granted to a business associate of herself and her late husband. Her sentence had already been upheld by a lower court of appeal in 2024.

President Javier Milei took to social media to applaud the verdict, writing, "Justice. Period." [1].

References:
[1] https://www.npr.org/2025/06/10/nx-s1-5429794/argentinas-top-court-upholds-cristina-fernandez-de-kirchners-corruption-conviction
[2] https://english.elpais.com/international/2025-06-11/when-will-cristina-fernandez-de-kirchner-be-arrested-and-where-will-she-serve-her-six-year-prison-sentence.html
[3] https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/supreme-court-upholds-ex-president-cristina-fernandez-de-kirchners-prison-sentence.phtml