Argentina’s Supreme Court disqualified Cristina Kirchner from public office, sparking mass protests in Salta and renewed international concern over democratic erosion and judicial overreach in Latin America.

Salta, Argentina – On the sun-scorched sidewalks of this historic Andean province, chants echoed through the mountain air: “¡Cristina no está sola!” (“Cristina is not alone!”). The people of Salta—teachers, union leaders, students, and elders—flooded the streets in defiant solidarity following the Argentine Supreme Court’s reaffirmation of a judicial ban on former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, disqualifying her from holding public office for life.

The ruling stems from the controversial Vialidad corruption case, in which the court upheld a six-year prison sentence and stripped Kirchner of her political rights, citing “fraud against the public administration.” To many outside observers, it may appear like just another legal proceeding. But on the ground in Argentina, the decision has plunged the country into a heated constitutional and democratic debate—with ripples reaching far beyond the Andes.

Salta Rises in Protest: “A Judicial Coup in Disguise”

What began as a modest rally in the capital square quickly morphed into a province-wide movement. Protesters held signs calling the court’s decision “judicial persecution” and warning of a “new kind of coup—one that wears robes, not uniforms.”

“We see this not just as a ruling against Cristina but as an attack on the democratic will of millions,” said Liliana Márquez, a 58-year-old teacher who joined a candlelight march in downtown Salta. “The people should decide at the ballot box, not a courtroom.”

Across the province, human rights organisations, feminist groups, and trade unions mobilised rapidly. ATE Salta, the state workers’ union, called for a day of civic resistance, while several Kirchnerist leaders convened emergency assemblies to coordinate responses. In Salta’s universities, professors hosted teach-ins discussing “lawfare”—a term increasingly used across Latin America to describe the judicialisation of politics.

Cristina Kirchner: Polarizing, Powerful, and Still Present

Whether revered or reviled, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner remains one of the most powerful political figures in Latin America. She served as Argentina’s president from 2007 to 2015 and as vice president from 2019 to 2023. Her populist brand of left-wing Peronism, combined with fiery anti-neoliberal rhetoric and deep social welfare programs, earned her fierce loyalty among the working class—especially in Argentina’s northern provinces like Salta.

However, her political career has also been dogged by accusations of corruption, clientelism, and authoritarianism. The Vialidad case—which alleged she improperly funnelled public contracts to business allies—was one of several investigations opened during and after her time in office.

While Cristina has maintained her innocence and framed the trial as a politically motivated attack, the court’s decision now blocks her from returning to formal political life, just as speculation mounted about a potential 2025 candidacy for Congress.

International Concerns: Democracy on Trial

From Buenos Aires to Brussels, the verdict has raised alarms. Legal experts from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights expressed concerns over “procedural irregularities” and the broader trend of using judicial processes to sideline political opponents across the region. Human Rights Watch has called for a transparent review of the case, emphasizing the importance of impartial justice systems in democratic societies.

In Washington, a spokesperson from the U.S. State Department cautiously remarked: “While we support the rule of law, we urge Argentine institutions to preserve the democratic rights of its citizens and avoid political disenfranchisement.”

Meanwhile, Brazil’s President Lula da Silva, himself a past victim of lawfare during Operation Car Wash, commented, “Democracy cannot function when courts choose candidates instead of the people.”

A Region-Wide Warning

Argentina is not alone in this democratic dilemma. Across Latin America, former presidents—be they from Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, or Peru—have faced trials and bans under murky legal grounds. While anti-corruption efforts are essential, many analysts warn that selective prosecutions are weakening public trust in both judiciary and democracy.

Dr. Valeria Silva, a political scientist at the University of British Columbia, notes:

“This isn’t about whether Cristina is innocent or guilty. It’s about the principle. Can a functioning democracy allow a judiciary, shaped by elite interests, to disqualify popular opposition voices? Argentina is becoming the latest chapter in an unsettling regional trend.”

What’s Next for Argentina?

Cristina Kirchner’s legal team is preparing an appeal to international courts, possibly including the UN Human Rights Council. Meanwhile, provincial governments like Salta are calling for a National Congress session to examine the role of the judiciary in electoral processes.

In the meantime, thousands remain mobilised. Grassroots organisations are planning a National Day of Resistance on June 20, commemorating Argentina’s Day of the Flag with political overtones.

In Salta, the resistance feels deeply personal.

As local activist Camilo Romero put it:

“Today it’s Cristina. Tomorrow, it could be any of us who dares to speak out. This is no longer just a court case—it’s a battle for the soul of our democracy.

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