Former Argentine President Alberto Fernández is facing severe allegations of domestic violence from his ex-partner and former First Lady, Fabiola Yáñez. On August 6, 2024, Yáñez filed a criminal complaint against Fernández for physical violence, harassment, and what she described as ‘psychological terrorism’.Judge Julián Ercolini, who is overseeing the case, has imposed strict restrictions on Fernández. These include prohibiting him from leaving the country, banning him from approaching Yáñez, and ordering him to maintain a distance of at least 500 meters from her. The judge has also requested the Argentine Ministry of Security to take measures ensuring Yáñez’s safety.Yáñez, who currently resides in Madrid with the couple’s two-year-old son, Francisco, made the complaint via a video call to Judge Ercolini. Her lawyer, Juan Pablo Fioribello, stated that Yáñez was ‘very anguished’ and ‘could no longer take it’. The allegations came to light after messages and photos were discovered on the phone of Fernández’s former secretary, María Cantero, allegedly showing evidence of physical abuse.Fernández has vehemently denied the allegations. In a statement, he said, ‘It’s all false and never happened’. He added that he would not make public statements but would provide evidence and testimonies to the court to ‘demonstrate what really happened’.The case has sparked political backlash in Argentina. Several leaders, including those close to the national government, have criticized Unión por la Patria (Fernández’s party) for not issuing a statement on the case. Critics have pointed out the irony that Fernández, now accused of gender violence, was the one who promoted the Ministry of Women, Gender and Diversity during his presidency.This scandal adds to ongoing investigations into Fernández for potential corruption, particularly the ‘Seguros’ (Insurance) scandal. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these allegations will impact Fernández’s legacy and the broader political landscape in Argentina.
Key points
- Former Argentine President Alberto Fernández faces criminal complaint for domestic violence from ex-partner Fabiola Yáñez.
- Judge has imposed strict restrictions on Fernández, including a ban on leaving the country and maintaining a 500-meter distance from Yáñez.
- Fernández denies all allegations, promising to provide evidence to prove his innocence.
- The case has sparked political backlash, with critics pointing out the irony given Fernández’s previous promotion of women’s rights.
Contradictions👾While most sources report that Yáñez filed the complaint on August 6, 2024, one source suggests she had previously dropped charges in July before deciding to pursue the case again.
