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Thousands Rally for Kirchner as She Begins House Arrest

Protests follow last week's Supreme Court decision upholding her sentence with a lifetime ban from public office.

Supporters of Argentina's former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner cheer outside her house, after an Argentine judge approved her request to serve out her six-year prison sentence for corruption at home, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Martin Cossarini
Argentina's former president Cristina Kirchner is serving a six-year sentence for fraud
Supporters of Argentina's former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner demonstrate after an Argentine judge approved her request to serve out her six-year prison sentence for corruption at home, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Matias Baglietto
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Overview

  • Kirchner began serving her six-year fraud sentence under house arrest on June 17 with electronic monitoring and limited visits for family, lawyers and doctors.
  • Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in Buenos Aires's Plaza de Mayo on June 18 waving flags, chanting slogans and vowing to defend her political legacy.
  • Kirchner and her allies assert the conviction was a political maneuver by President Javier Milei's administration to block her return to power.
  • Authorities enforced a special protest protocol including identity checks and barriers at transport hubs, drawing criticism from rights groups as harassment.
  • Political analysts say the strong turnout highlights the Peronist movement's continued capacity for mass mobilization despite deep political polarization.