By Perspectiva Internacional
June 11, 2025
Argentina Enters Unknown Political Terrain
Argentina has entered uncertain political territory following the judicial confirmation of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s arrest. The Supreme Court upheld a sentence that not only imposes six years of house arrest on the former president, but also permanently disqualifies her from holding public office. Despite this judicial blow, there is no indication that Kirchner will step away from politics. In fact, the ruling could profoundly reshape Argentina’s electoral landscape and reinforce her role as a central figure of the opposition.
Judicial System Co-opted by Economic Powers
The former president (2007–2015), who served as vice president until December 2023 and remains a symbol of “Peronism,” is confronting her new status with a message of resistance. This is not the first time Latin America has seen a charismatic leader condemned and reinvented as a victim of “lawfare.” The case of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brazil serves as a mirror for Cristina Fernández, who now presents herself as a proscribed figure and a martyr of a judicial system co-opted by “economic powers.”
Peronism Shows Signs of Reawakening
Peronism is already showing signs of reorganization. Street mobilization was immediate: thousands of supporters gathered in front of her home and in several cities across the country. Universities have been occupied by students, popular assemblies have emerged, and highways have been blocked in protest. This scene evokes the most intense moments of her leadership. Governors, activists, and historic Peronist figures who until recently kept their distance have now rallied to her side. Axel Kicillof, one of the most prominent leaders, canceled his agenda as Buenos Aires governor to escort her.
Reactivating the Peronist Muscle
This reactivation of Peronist muscle could be the spark the movement needed after its electoral defeat in 2023 to Javier Milei. The ultra-liberal government of the libertarian economist has attempted to dismantle what he calls “the caste,” with Cristina as the preferred symbol of that system. Her judicial downfall, paradoxically, could benefit Peronism if it succeeds in channeling public discontent and regrouping as a real opposition force.
Juan Domingo Perón’s Strategy Revisited
From her stronghold in Buenos Aires, Kirchner appears willing to replicate the strategy Juan Domingo Perón employed from exile in Madrid: remote leadership, coded instructions, and symbolic centrality. She will not be a candidate, but her voice will carry weight in the October legislative lists, where Peronism will try to regain prominence.
A Dilemma for Milei
For Milei, the sentence also presents a dilemma. He has responded with unusual caution, as if caught off guard. His rhetoric was built in opposition to Kirchner and “Kirchnerism.” Without her in the electoral arena, his binary narrative loses strength. The October campaign, which was intended to be a new “plebiscite” against the past, may now lack its main target. If Peronism manages to galvanize itself and mobilize its base once more, the far-right will face serious challenges.
In Argentine Politics, Endings Are Rarely Final
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is deeply loved by significant segments of society and remains the most popular political leader in the country. Her influence in recent Argentine political history is undisputed. Her conviction marks an institutional turning point, but it may also reignite a flame many thought extinguished. She may not be a candidate, but she remains at the center of the stage. In Argentine politics, endings are rarely final.