Overview

• Argentina’s Supreme Court unanimously upheld Cristina Kirchner’s six-year prison sentence and imposed a lifetime ban from public office.
• The ‘Vialidad’ case centres on accusations that her administration fraudulently awarded $70 million in road-works contracts to ally Lázaro Báez during 2007-2015.
• Kirchner labelled the decision an attempt to stifle opposition as supporters blocked major highways in Buenos Aires in protest of the ruling.
• President Javier Milei celebrated the outcome on X by declaring ‘Justice. Period’ and Argentina’s financial markets briefly cheered reduced political uncertainty.
• Kirchner must present herself for arrest within five days but is eligible to request house arrest given her age under Argentine law.