ARGENTINA MOVES TO SEIZE FORMER PRESIDENT’S ASSETS TO RECOVER $500M.(PHOTO).

 Argentina moves to seize former president’s assets to recover $500M

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - A federal court in Argentina has ordered the seizure of 20 properties belonging to former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and her children, Máximo and Florencia, in an effort to recover roughly $500 million allegedly lost to the state through corrupt practices.

Authorities say the assets—including houses, land, and hotels—were acquired through corruption tied to public-works contracts awarded during the administrations of Fernández de Kirchner and her late husband, Néstor Kirchner. The ruling also covers properties linked to businessman Lázaro Báez, an ally of the family. The seizure is part of the “Vialidad” case, which investigates at least 51 contracts in Santa Cruz, the Kirchners’ home province, many of which prosecutors say were inflated, rushed through, or left incomplete.

Fernández de Kirchner was sentenced in 2022 to six years in prison and barred from holding public office for life. She remains under house arrest while appealing her conviction. Sebastián García Díaz, president of the Civilitas Argentina research center, described the court order as an effort to seize her assets on a large scale, noting that much of the country had anticipated the decision.

However, many Argentines are skeptical that the seizures will be fully carried out, given the country’s history of slow-moving corruption cases and previous announcements that failed to materialize. García Díaz said the ruling may help restore some trust in the judicial system, though doubts about its independence and efficiency remain.

Cristián Buttié, director of political consulting firm CB Consultora, noted that the seizures will likely proceed only if the judiciary maintains its independence and current support from President Javier Milei’s government, which is promoting transparency. But he cautioned that a political shift could pause the process, especially if parties aligned with Fernández de Kirchner regain influence.

Supporters of the former president argue the move is politically motivated, framing it as judicial persecution and an act of revenge. Fernández de Kirchner has echoed these claims on social media. Experts, however, say the case is well-documented and has gone through multiple judicial stages, suggesting the allegations are substantiated.

Analysts believe the ruling will have a limited impact on Argentina’s political landscape. García Díaz said Fernández de Kirchner’s influence and public image have weakened, and she is likely to become a more marginal figure in national politics in the coming months.