Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has refused to rule out a political comeback and predicted a defeat for US President Donald Trump and the Republicans in Tuesday's midterm elections in a rare interview with a US media outlet.
In an interview with The Washington Post, the former head of state said she expected US voters to deliver a political setback to Trump, whose support for right-wing leaders across Latin America she believes could ultimately prove counterproductive.
“Paradoxically, the man who has done everything possible to help right-wing governments win in Latin America will lose the elections in his own country,” Fernández de Kirchner told the newspaper.
The 73-year-old spoke from her apartment in Buenos Aires, where she is serving a six-year sentence under house arrest following her conviction in the so-called 'Vialidad' corruption case. The sentence also carries a lifelong ban on holding public office, meaning she is unable to run for office.
'Why not?'`
The interview, her first with an international media outlet since her conviction, comes as Fernández de Kirchner seeks to challenge the ruling and recover her political rights ahead of next year's presidential election, in which President Javier Milei is expected to seek re-election.
Asked about a possible candidacy, Fernández de Kirchner was cautious but did not rule it out.
“When I recover my political rights, why not?” she said.
Fernández de Kirchner denied committing any crime and portrayed her conviction as politically motivated, challenging her accusers to identify evidence of stolen money.
“Tell me where I put the money. Because, honestly, if I had stolen it, I wouldn't be in prison. I would be free, because I could have bought off the Argentine judicial system, which is corrupt,” she said.
Lula parallel
Fernández de Kirchner also drew parallels between her situation and that of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, her longtime political ally, who returned to power after spending 580 days in prison before his convictions were annulled.
Lula won re-election last month, securing another term in office,
“He told me: ‘Exercise and don't get depressed’,” she said, recounting advice from Lula.
Her legal team, led by Brazilian lawyer Rafael Valim, has appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, arguing that the proceedings against her violated due-process guarantees.
– TIMES/NA
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