An Argentine court has ordered the seizure of approximately $500 million in assets belonging to former President Cristina Kirchner and others allegedly involved in a corruption scheme. Kirchner is currently serving a 6-year prison sentence related to the case.
The federal court order targets over 100 assets, including real estate owned by Kirchner, 72, her two children, and several other officials. The assets are believed to be the proceeds of illicit activities.
Kirchner, a prominent and often controversial figure in Argentine politics for over two decades, served as First Lady from 2003 to 2007 during her late husband Néstor Kirchner’s presidency. She then succeeded him, serving two terms as president until 2015. Most recently she served as Vice President under Alberto Fernández from 2019 until 2023, before Javier Milei assumed the presidency.
In June, Argentina’s Supreme Court upheld her conviction on corruption charges related to the awarding of public works contracts in the southern Patagonia region during her presidency. While allowed to serve her sentence under house arrest with an electronic monitoring bracelet, she is barred from holding public office for life and has been ordered to repay $500 million.
The latest court order, issued this past Tuesday, mandates the confiscation of illegally obtained assets for the benefit of the state, aiming to compensate society for the material and symbolic damages resulting from the criminal conduct. The court aims to recover funds and property obtained through corrupt means.
Kirchner Claims Political Persecution
Kirchner maintains that she is the victim of political persecution orchestrated by the current administration led by Javier Milei, whom she accuses of destroying the economy. From her Buenos Aires apartment, where she is serving her sentence, she has reportedly met with political allies to discuss Argentina’s economic situation. However, the court has since imposed restrictions on her visitors.
On social media, Kirchner has stated that she is being targeted because she convened a meeting to discuss the economic situation, which she insists the current president is damaging. She views the asset seizure as a politically motivated attack designed to silence her criticism and undermine her legacy.
