MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Cristina Fernandez and former officials charged with defrauding the state in dollar futures operations
Former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez was charged on Friday with defrauding the state as part of her government's handling of the dollar futures market. Federal judge Claudio Bonadio said that a scheme to keep the Argentine peso inflated by selling dollars below market value would not have been possible without Fernandez's approval. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesGood stuff. The first of what will hopefully be several charges. Oh what a difference 6 months has made in Argentina. The world is starting to respect it again.
May 14th, 2016 - 08:52 am - Link - Report abuse 0If found guilty I hope she gets the highest sentence the judicial system can dish out.
Of course, it's “political”! La Kretina and the others took advantage of their “political” situation to allegedly commit this violation.
May 14th, 2016 - 09:16 am - Link - Report abuse 0What Kirchner says should be carefully examined. After all, she is an expert in “use of defamation and slander”. And it must also be borne in mind that she is also an expert in lying. Let's all remember that she was working to her own “economic model”. I can't help thinking that Hitler worked to his own model of warfare, despite having limited experience of the subject, and overruling his vastly more knowledgeable generals.
May 14th, 2016 - 09:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0I'm not sure about Kiciloff. The current position would seem to confirm that Marxist concepts of economic management, as previously demonstrated by the Soviet Union, are “misguided”. He is also, of course, a chancer. Can we imagine how he profited by being raised to the position he held?
I'm with Mr Bloggs to a certain extent. There is a long way to go before argieland can be “respected”. For instance, Macri had no need to even mention the Falkland Islands or continue with the fictional claim. The same goes for Malcorra. Let us not forget that, at one time, argieland pretended to be a good neighbour to the Falklands for 10 years in pursuit of its objectives. Respect for argieland should await a view of its attitudes and activities over, at least, the next 20 years. Remember the saying about leopards and spots.
I do however concur about the length of sentences to be imposed. It would be right for her to be look forward, with confidence, to dying in prison.
3
May 14th, 2016 - 09:52 am - Link - Report abuse 0Fair point about respecting Argentina. A better way to put it would be I think the world is starting to look with interest at what Macri is doing and if he keeps going as he is Argentina is heading in the right direction to earn some respect.
He has to mention the Falklands from time to time whether he intends to do anything meaningful about Argentina's claim or not. Such is the emotional tug of the islands on the hearts and minds of the simple masses.
The illegal K restriction on our freedom of airspace will soon cease to be enforced and then we'll be able to receive more frequent flights from new destinations, supplementing our weekly LATAM service nicely.
Guilty……,next case.
May 14th, 2016 - 12:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Save time:
May 14th, 2016 - 12:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Stick her straight in Ezeiza Complex I and work out the details later.
Meanwhile, Blair is still on the loose with no justice in sight for lying to start a war of aggression that directly led to hundreds of thousands of civilian and combat deaths, and was like stabbing a person in the back and then pulling the knife out (by withdrawing with no plan to treat the wound).
May 14th, 2016 - 12:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0So I ask of you, which country is the one that should start re-earning respect from who?
@5 Do you really think she will ever face justice? I have my doubts. The justice system in Argentina seems very much based on the Italian one. Endless delays, appeals, more delays, verdicts, more appeals….. 20 years later no one is actually serving time.
May 14th, 2016 - 12:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I doubt CFK will ever see the inside of a prison cell. Kicillof, however, might because of his young age and because he may get thrown under the bus if things get too hot for the Kirchner clan.
For comments 1 - 6 above... Agreed.
May 14th, 2016 - 12:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0In the big picture, Argentina is best served by reversing the previous attitude of tolerance toward corruption within the government. IF a truly independent judiciary evolves, AND the “rule of law” is a fundamental principle, (along with believable financial data) many people / countries / industries would be interested in doing business there. That being said, Argentina must keep in mind that what they have is developmental OPPORTUNITY, not some unique asset found within their borders that everyone else has to have.
The paying of the previous bond debt was critical to moving forward too. Whether you like it or not, that's the way it was... and still is.
Regarding the Falklands issue... it's really not a high profile burning issue unless Argentina keeps it in the news. It's probably better to just let it lie as low as possible. Why look like an angry neighbor when you're trying to fit in?
Best wishes everyone!
7
May 14th, 2016 - 01:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Good point but go and post it on Anglopress or some such site instead of behaving like a big-footed childish troll on this site that covers issues in the South American region.
How's the weather in Canada where you live?
9
I like your post and you are right. The sovereignty of the Falklands is not really such a big issue. Even here in the islands where we are potentially far more susceptible to it life goes on regardless and it's just an issue in the background. Of course we will be able to grow our economy quite a bit more when the K measures fade away but we are resilient and are managing nicely even now with the restrictions in place.
You have no idea where I have been recently and where I am now. My grand plan is finally on the rails.
May 14th, 2016 - 02:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@1 “ ....in Argentina. The world is starting to respect it again....
May 14th, 2016 - 02:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0False
@ 3 ” ...There is a long way to go before argieland can be “respected”. ...”
True.
Una golondrina no hace verano.
@10 Jo Bloggs
May 14th, 2016 - 02:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Good point, Jo.
There are some that say they wish CFK/Scioli
had won the election.
That way Arg. would have been totally preoccupied with its own economic collapse and steadily worsening situation.
Let's hope CFK is still up on charges, or better yet in prison, by the next election.
@11 Hahahahaha! Always good for a laugh.
May 14th, 2016 - 03:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@7 CapiTrollism_is_back!!
May 14th, 2016 - 03:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Exactly how do the misdemeanours of La Kretina and her cohorts compare with those of Tony Blair? Chalk and cheese it seems to me!
The reporting ignores the group best positioned to benefit from the subsequent speculation.
May 14th, 2016 - 04:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@10 Thanks for your comment Jo...
May 14th, 2016 - 04:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I wouldn't be surprised if Argentina's government just minimizes public discussion of any potential changes involving the Falkland Islands... and I should emphasize, NOT out of any malicious purpose. It would just be a practical political thing to keep it at bay. When they are asked, they'll say “Of course we still assert our claim to the Malvinas! We are committed to dialog and peaceful resolution to this critical, long-standing issue.” I could write the press release myself. :) Maybe we'll see a stern, serious news story about hydrocarbons being extracted there... or a similar fishing resource issue / claim, but it's just a news story for the Argentine public to feel better about themselves. EVERY government has to do things like this. I'm not saying this as an insult, it's just political reality.
Anyway, Macri is implementing many tough (but necessary) changes to the country's financial, labor, and tax laws, that he would only get more hysterical opposition by trying to reconcile anything with the Falklands at this time. He really doesn't need that now.
Best wishes all!
The whole world knew what the ulgy one and her son were doing apart from the Argies....send her to straight to jail and don't let her pickup 200 pounds as she passes by GO......
May 14th, 2016 - 05:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 011
May 14th, 2016 - 06:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“My grand plan is finally on the rails.”
LMAO! Of course it is. I remember your last grand plan. It was 20+ personas ago and you denied it when I put it to you but you and I both know you were lying.
Tell us where you live if it's not Canada and while you're at it tell us what your ethnic origin is.
Anyway, you'll be pleased to see Crissy being challenged by the judicial system. I know you find it humiliating that foreigners, especially Anglos, are enjoying her persecution but deep down you didn't like the batshit-mad, corrupt bitch either.
Chuckle chuckle.
@19 Jo
May 14th, 2016 - 06:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Spot on, except for the bit about Canada.
Speaking as someone who lives in Canada and travels extensively throughout N. America,
From NOSTRIL's past postings, it is apparent that he has no knowledge of life in Canada or the USA except for what he is told, or what he gleans from the Internet.
20 Troy
May 14th, 2016 - 06:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0That's interesting. I thought those who show more interest in Toby than I had worked out he claims to live in Canada. I am guessing he lives in one of the countries he claims to hate anyway.
Anyway, back to this story. I hope CFK goes down for this but I am looking forward more to when she is charged and convicted of illicit enrichment. I want them to go after her crookedly accrued personal wealth.
As for Tony Blair, I'll lose no sleep over him being found to answer over the WMD affair and if he did lie about it I hope they throw away the key. But like I told TTT, that's for Anglopress not Mercopress.
@21 Jo
May 14th, 2016 - 06:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I think people are in agreement that NOSTRILS is not in touch personally with daily life in Arg - it is likely he lives elsewhere.
I am happy to see any charges levelled at CFK. These current charges should keep her preoccupied and off-balance ( more than usual) until they can gather enough evidence to charge her with graft.
It would be everyone's best interest, Arg. and FI, to have her convicted as a felon and behind bars while the next election is on.
The K's and K insiders need to be properly discredited.
Argentina must be the only country in the world where a prison needs a Presidential Suite more than a hotel does.
May 14th, 2016 - 07:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Ahhh the great plan. Remember his words when the last great plan failed.
May 14th, 2016 - 07:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“I only participated as an attache to that failed operation. I had no control over the fact that others decided to utilize the gathered information for individual gain.
This project is 100% under my control, believe me, it will take place. And actually will shock YOU most of all! So fitting that you would comment first.
My long term planning is beyond your comprehension.”
Bless him. So desperate for some validation. His life must be so shit.
As protests multiply across Argentina, Macri hurriedly uses whatever ammunition he's left.
May 15th, 2016 - 09:00 am - Link - Report abuse 0He is prosecuting Cristina way before he had planned, but things are not going well because he's being investigated for his off-shore maneuvers, inflation last month was the highest in 14 years, unemployment is rampant, and prices change every day.
Of course, any friendly judge can process anybody. Another thing is to prove wrongdoing. It'll be tough because Cristina has not enriched herself. In addition, private interests could earn money only if a devaluation occurred, and that is why Macri's friends made millions .
@7. I don't see the problem as far as argies are concerned. The 40s saw argieland welcoming thousands of nazi war criminals and the actual murderers. And it's not as though argieland didn't know what they'd been doing. No doubt argieland saw them as a “resource” that they proceeded to employ during the 70s and 80s. How many of those lived and walked around freely for 30 years or more. Some of them were quite young. And, as far as Blair is concerned, there are reports that there was “intelligence”. It must be said that I would have reservations about “intelligence” emanating from an Iraqi taxi driver, but perhaps he was undercover. Perhaps we will know more when the enquiry report is published. In the meantime, despite the howls of outrage, a politician cannot be tagged as a criminal simply through taking action to protect his own citizens, no matter how misguidedly. One might as well accuse Neville Chamberlain for starting WW2 through his policy of appeasement. Or, to make it more relevant, accuse Juan Peron for his association with Hitler and undoubted militarism.
May 15th, 2016 - 09:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0@25. It must be so satisfying to have all this detailed information from 5,500 miles away. But, as even Britain has found out, misgovernance for more than 10 years cannot be put right in months. Nevertheless, by making the right decisions, it is possible to change things over the course of years. Britain's plans for austerity were strongly criticised. And yet Britain now has one of the strongest economies, certainly in western Europe.
No doubt you will be travelling to argieland to present your evidence of how Kirchner has not enriched herself. Based on her known salary, tell us about the hotels, the land she and her husband appropriated in the first place, the extent of her wardrobe, the building works for the vaults at her properties and her search for a suitable (overseas) palace that she could live in after leaving office?
@25 I have stayed in one of CFK's money laundering hotels, have you? They exist.
May 15th, 2016 - 11:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0@7
May 15th, 2016 - 11:40 am - Link - Report abuse 0“Meanwhile, Blair is still on the loose ”
I wouldn't be sad to see B-liar banged up -but he's a saint compared to the Botox Queen who has done as much against Argentina as B liar has against the UK.
“Former Economy Minister Axel Kicillof, ”
On a flippant note, imagine the joy of his fellow to be inmates when Sillyoff entertains them with his Elvis act.
@25 Reekie: “ ... Macri.... He is prosecuting Cristina way before he had planned,....”
May 15th, 2016 - 02:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Reekie, do you not understand which branch of government does the prosecution?
@25 Enrique Massot
May 15th, 2016 - 04:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“Another thing is to prove wrongdoing. It'll be tough because Cristina has not enriched herself.” Do you honestly believe that last statement? If you do then you more of a “boludo” that I thought!
I think it is funny they got the midget as well as the other fool. Just wait until the heat is turned up and Kick is looking at some jail time. He will be crying like a baby and telling all he can for a lighter sentence. That is if they ever do convict
May 15th, 2016 - 07:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@31. “ ....I think it is funny they got the midget as well as the other fool. Just wait ..”
May 15th, 2016 - 11:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Weren't there about 14 people indicted in this?
Lol, Reekie think kristina should get a Sainthood.
May 16th, 2016 - 09:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0Where as I think she deserves an African Necklace.
#30 Gordo
May 16th, 2016 - 05:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And what do you know, Gordito boca chica?“
Come on. There is not a human being under the sun who believes this is about fighting corruption and you are not exception.
In any event, Judge ”Pistola” Bonadio will have to find out and prove it. Hasn't happened yet, however those who already hated Cristina's politics of social inclusion and domestic market protection have already rushed to convict and sentence her.
In the meantime, I fail to hear the clamour from the honest, law-abiding MP commentators about the ongoing investigation on Mauricio Macri's off-shore undeclared activities.
#33 Klingon
You are simply disgusting.
@34 “ ...Cristina's politics of social inclusion...”
May 16th, 2016 - 06:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I guess that is the new euphemism for theft of public funds.
#35 Un marti llazo para este Cla vo!
May 17th, 2016 - 04:20 am - Link - Report abuse 0I often criticize the Argentine media because they still call suspects criminals, without waiting for the courts to do their job.
I guess you are deserving to be naturalized Argentine in that regard.
My advice?
Hold your guns. You may be surprised.
@36 “I guess you are deserving to be naturalized Argentine in that regard.”
May 17th, 2016 - 02:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Them's fightin' words.
@11 “My grand plan is finally on the rails.”
May 17th, 2016 - 05:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Is it of the cunning variety? At least you admit that you have been off the rails. That is good.
But regarding the Ks, the net is closing and has caught a few so far and with each person caught the evidence against the rest increases, more of the population realises what has been done to them and the pressure increases on the remaining criminals.
I think that it is good that it is happening slowly - it allows everything to be done correctly, leaving no stone unturned and maybe gives the criminals a false sense of security. Every day that they aren't arrested gives them an extra day to think they've got away with it and yet the evidence continues to be gathered...
I hope the trail eventually leads to justice for Nisman's killers (and those who tried to cover it up as a suicide).
#38 zaphod
May 17th, 2016 - 06:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Interesting. Any thoughts about the ongoing investigation about Mauricio Macri's offshore activities?
Or is your enthusiasm about catching corrupt elected officials a selective thing?
@39 “Any thoughts about the ongoing investigation about Mauricio Macri's offshore activities?”
May 17th, 2016 - 09:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0From what I have seen he has provided a perfectly reasonable explanation and, if he's telling the truth, nothing illegal was done and it was his money (rather than the taxpayers). He certainly seems open to having it investigated which tends to indicate he has nothing to hide.
My wife worked for him in his Boca Junior days and says that, while he wasn't her favourite person, in her experience he was honest and fair in his dealings which has absolutely not been the case with all of her employers.
“Or is your enthusiasm about catching corrupt elected officials a selective thing?”
Not at all. In a democratic system they are public servants and need to be reminded of that if they ever think that they are our masters.
#40 Zaphod
May 19th, 2016 - 03:18 am - Link - Report abuse 0“If he's telling the truth, nothing illegal was done...”
Recently, Pagina 12 has digged and published copy of documents showing Macri lied when he said the offshore company had never any activity.
In any event, I won't convict Macri yet but wait for the investigation that Judge Casanello is conducting.
“My wife worked for him...in her experience he was honest and fair...”
I have no reason to doubt your wife's judgment in respect of Macri's treatment of his employees.
On the other hand, I have heard Macri's declarations during his election campaign and I see what he's doing after being elected president.
During his campaign he tried hard to appear as liking dialogue, promising an Argentina where everybody would be happy and poverty would just disappear.
And I know it's early in the process to say he has definitely failed on those promises. But problem is, the steps he's taking are not in that direction. He has promoted revenge against half of the Argentines who did not vote for him and if you check enough media sources you will see that there is no joy whatsoever in the country today.
@41 “ ...Recently, Pagina 12 has digged ...”
May 19th, 2016 - 01:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0---For those who might not be aware of this, Página/12 is a rather extreme pro-Kirchnerist rag which received millions from the Kirchner governments. One of the founders had characterised its current incarnation as an arm of the earlier Kirchner government, having “lots of money and no talent. ”
“....He has promoted revenge against half of the Argentines who did not vote for him...”
-- Really - that many ñoquis, delincuentes, traficantes callejeros, estafadores, and choripaneros still not in jail?
“....if you check enough media sources you will see that there is no joy whatsoever in the country today....”
-- That is right. All public displays of happiness have been banned. Six months in jail just for the slightest grin. It's really grim here. Too bad reekie is not here to see it.
@41“During his campaign he tried hard to appear as liking dialogue, promising an Argentina where everybody would be happy and poverty would just disappear.”
May 19th, 2016 - 05:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Christina made the same promises and absolutely failed to deliver on all three!
“And I know it's early in the process to say he has definitely failed on those promises.”
Except he re-opened the Casa Rosada room used for press conferences. I liked his comment to the press on his first meeting there - he asked them if they'd found their way there OK since it was so long since they'd last been there. Dialogue is a two-way process and Christina certainly didn't like any questions or alternative opinions! Macri has shown that he does listen and has changed opinion as a result of feedback on a number of issues. So he definitely ticks the dialogue box!
Happiness? From what I hear most people are happier under Macri since they can see things are moving in the right direction. So, arguably, people are happier. Maybe the lazy ñoquis are less happy now that they may actually have to work for a living, but reality can be brutal at times.
Poverty is always going to be a slow one, but more REAL jobs such as those announced by Siemens recently, freeing restrictions on trade etc. will help to get people working productively which is what the country needs and provides the only realistically effective route out of poverty.
“He has promoted revenge against half of the Argentines who did not vote for him”
Actually, I think you'll find it is the K's who are doing that by trying to throw a spanner in the works with unnecessary strikes, disinformation etc.
Did you see the story about the baker who was so happy to meet Macri but was then beaten up by K supporters? And the journalist who was manhandled out of CFK's recent visit to BA? I've not seen any evidence of the reverse happening.
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