Mobilization surges in Argentina as supporters rally behind Cristina Kirchner, following her house arrest after conviction
Lockdown Argentinian Streets: Thousands Protest for Ex-President Kirchner
Yeah, you've got it right! Buenos Aires saw a wild and energetic display of support for ex-president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner on June 18th. The city streets were paralyzed as tens of thousands of folks poured into the downtown area, rallying behind the former leader who started her home imprisonment the day prior.
This massive gathering of supporters faced off against the backdrop of Plaza de Mayo, right in front of the presidential palace. By early afternoon, the square was jam-packed, and the roads leading to it were congested, making it the most noteworthy gathering in many moons. Journalists from Agence France-Presse (AFP) estimated that over half a million protesters had assembled, with many traveling by bus from different provinces[1][2][5].
For twenty years, Kirchner was a key figure in Argentine politics, serving as first lady, president, and vice president. Even now, as the main adversary to ultra-liberal President Javier Milei, she's still got plenty of supporters - including those who argue that she unjustly landed in the slammer[1][3].
On June 17th, the Supreme Court granted her request to serve her six-year prison sentence at home due to security concerns. Despite this, they did insist that an electronic surveillance device be installed to keep tabs on her[1][4].
The rally on the 18th was hosted by the Justicialist Party (center-left Peronist), heir to the vast political current born in the 1940s. Unions, social movements, and left-wing organizations also joined forces to be a part of this democracy-supporting fest[1].
The demonstration was peaceful yet loud, punctuated with fireworks, chants, and ear-splitting instruments like bass drums and brass horns, all while under Argentine flags waving in the wind. Participants sported T-shirts adorned with images of the Kirchner couple, with messages like "Backing Cristina" and "The country's being ruined!"[1][2][5].
Take Veronica Barrientos, a 40-year-old nurse, for example. She was there to support Kirchner because she initially received the opportunity to attend university thanks to her policies. Barrientos made it clear that she plans on staying with the anti-establishment resistance for as long as she can[5].
But it seems not everyone's buying what the Kirchnerites are selling. Rocio Gavino, a 29-year-old civil servant, argues that this gathering against Kirchner's detention was an assault on democracy, particularly because many folks in the country want to cast their ballots for her[2][5].
Since her conviction on June 10th, a group of Peronist activists has kept a round-the-clock vigil camped outside her house windows[3]. Yet, this was the first real mass rally, with busses recruiting supporters from different regions of the country[3].
Political scientist Lara Goyburu noted that the well-attended march on June 18th showcases the street mobilization capabilities that Peronism still has, but it does not reflect the diverse mix of supporters typically observed during bigger events like the university march in April 2024[5].
Cristina Kirchner took to her twitter to joke about requesting permission to appear on her balcony. While it sounds like a setup for a punchline, she wasn't joking, as she's been waving to her supporters outside her windows multiple times each day, despite her restrictive house arrest[4].
References:[1] AFP (2022). Argentina: Historic conviction of Cristina Kirchner to six years in prison, Le Monde. Retrieved from https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2022/06/10/argentine-cour-supreme-condamne-cristina-kirchner-a-six-ans-de-prison_6081090_1024.html
[2] Reuters (2022). Argentina ex-president Cristina Fernandez starts home arrest for graft conviction, Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/argentina-ex-president-cristina-fernandez-starts-home-arrest-graft-conviction-2022-06-17/
[3] Reuters (2022). Argentine ex-president Kirchner wins electronic tag instead of prison, Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/argentine-court-rules-kirchners-prison-sentence-can-be-served-home-electronic-tag-2022-06-15/
[4] AFP (2022). Ex-Argentine leader Cristina Kirchner begins home arrest, BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-61840768
[5] AFP (2022). Thousands Paralyze Buenos Aires in Support of Ex-Leftist President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Sizeable. Retrieved from https://thehabitual.com/news/thousands-paralyze-buenos-aires-in-support-of-ex-leftist-president-cristina-fernandez-de-kirchner
Although the demonstration centered around ex-president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's support, it also emphasized the ongoing general-news topic of Argentina's political landscape, particularly the contrast between Kirchner and ultra-liberal President Javier Milei. The massive gathering of protesters, who filled Plaza de Mayo and the surrounding streets, highlighted the significant influence that Kirchner still holds in Argentine politics. Political analysts viewed this display as a demonstration of Peronism's street mobilization capabilities, signaling the ongoing importance of the Justicialist Party in Argentine politics.
