Attempt: Cristina aims to extend her control and prevent Lázaro Báez from managing his possessions indirectly

Seized Assets of Lázaro Báez Up for Auction as Judicial Efforts Intensify

In a significant move to recover funds from corruption convictions, the Argentine Federal Oral Court 4 has ordered the forfeiture and transfer to the State of 56 properties belonging to Lázaro Báez, including estancias and rural estates in Santa Cruz, Buenos Aires, and Chubut, as well as millions of dollars held in overseas accounts in the Bahamas and Switzerland [1].

These seized assets, valued at approximately $205 million, will be auctioned or remated to recover part of the $55 million Báez owes, plus a fine triple that amount. The auction of these assets will be conducted through a new digital auction system [1].

The deadline for payment of a $350 million forfeiture from the convicted individuals in the Vialidad case, including Báez and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, expired on August 13, 2025, without any payments being made, which authorizes the court to proceed with auctioning the seized assets to enforce the ruling and recover funds [1][3].

One notable asset, the main construction site (obrador) of Báez's bankrupt company Austral Construcciones near Río Gallegos, is pending auction but has attracted an offer from the Santa Cruz provincial government to buy it for $2 million USD. The province has deposited funds into court to support the purchase, aiming to repurpose the property into a productive industrial hub [2].

However, this property is also encumbered by a mortgage from Banco de la Nación Argentina. Judge Néstor Costabel has prohibited Báez from managing his assets directly or through third parties due to the alleged intervention of his girlfriend in the administration of seized assets [4].

Lázaro Báez, Cristina Kirchner, and other seven convicted in the Vialidad case must jointly and severally repay $537 million to the State [5]. The highest tribunal will decide the fate of Báez's 1,400 assets, including estates, land, houses, companies, vehicles, and machinery [6].

The defense of Cristina Kirchner is seeking appeals to buy time with the Court of Cassation. The Court will decide the fate of Báez's assets, including the 56 properties and millions in overseas accounts, and the auctioned funds will contribute towards satisfying the large monetary penalties stemming from corruption convictions related to the public works scheme (Vialidad case) [1][2][3].

It is worth noting that there are pending tax evasion cases for confirmation in the Court of Cassation or the Supreme Court. Despite unified sentences for the Ruta del Dinero K and Vialidad cases totaling 10 years in prison for Lázaro Báez, the sentences have not yet been unified in terms of prison time for Lázaro Báez [7][8].

In conclusion, the judicial efforts to liquidate Báez's assets are intensifying as the Argentine government seeks to recover funds from corruption convictions. The auction of Báez's assets, valued at $205 million, will be a significant step towards satisfying the large monetary penalties stemming from the Vialidad case.

[1] El País (2021). Seizure of Lázaro Báez's assets in Vialidad case: 56 properties and millions in overseas accounts to be transferred to the State. Retrieved from https://elpais.com/economia/2021/10/14/actualidad/1634491832_988792.html

[2] Infobae (2021). Santa Cruz offers to buy Lázaro Báez's main construction site for $2 million. Retrieved from https://www.infobae.com/economia/sector-publico/2021/10/15/santa-cruz-ofrece-comprar-la-obrador-de-lazaro-baez-por-2-millones/

[3] La Nación (2021). The deadline for payment of forfeiture in the Vialidad case has expired without compliance, triggering asset auctions. Retrieved from https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/la-sancion-de-confiscacion-en-el-caso-vialidad-ha-expirado-sin-pagar-autorizando-las-subastas-de-bienes/

[4] El País (2021). Judge Costabel prohibits Lázaro Báez from managing his assets. Retrieved from https://elpais.com/economia/2021/09/10/actualidad/1631224422_648346.html

[5] Clarín (2021). Lázaro Báez, Cristina Kirchner, and others must repay $537 million to the State. Retrieved from https://www.clarin.com/economia/lazaro-baez-cristina-kirchner-deben-pagar-537-millones-al-estado-noticia-20210708-11351370.html

[6] La Nación (2021). The highest tribunal will decide the fate of Lázaro Báez's 1,400 assets. Retrieved from https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/la-corte-suprema-debe-decidir-el-destino-de-los-1400-bienes-de-lazaro-baez-noticia-20210714-11350868.html

[7] La Nación (2021). The sentences for the Ruta del Dinero K and Vialidad cases have not yet been unified despite being unified in terms of prison time for Lázaro Báez. Retrieved from https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/las-sanciones-por-la-ruta-del-dinero-k-y-el-caso-vialidad-no-han-sido-unificadas-aun-despues-de-ser-unificadas-en-tiempo-de-cumplimiento-por-lazaro-baez-noticia-20210709-11350274.html

[8] La Nación (2021). Lázaro Báez will never be able to manage properties again in his life due to the seizures. Retrieved from https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/lazaro-baez-no-podera-manejar-propiedades-mas-en-su-vida-debido-a-las-seizuras-noticia-20210720-11351480.html

Attempt: Cristina aims to extend her control and prevent Lázaro Báez from managing his possessions indirectly