Latin America
Related: About this forumArgentina's Macri revealed to keep "black list" of 562 public figures
The leading Buenos Aires news daily Clarín revealed the existence of a "black list" being kept by President Mauricio Macri that includes political leaders, judges, trade unionists, businessmen, and even bishops whom he wants to see in prison.
The list, according to Clarín, includes a total of 562 people whom the president, in his alleged words, would like to see "sent up in a rocket to the moon."
The revelation was unusual fare for Clarín, whose support as the country's largest media conglomerate was key to Macri's narrow electoral win in 2015.
The alleged list was denied by Chief of Staff Marcos Peña - though he tacitly admitted its existence by referring to it as "a metaphor."
Macri has faced accusations from both political opponents and human rights NGOs of "weaponizing" the country's judiciary against rivals, while having a string of corruption charges against himself, his family, and his administration dismissed - even in cases, such as the Panama Papers, with documented proof.
Federal prosecutors are investigating at least six cases involving Macri ranging from influence trafficking to money laundering. So far none of the cases has resulted in charges against the president, and he denies wrongdoing; but they've become a headache for his "Let's Change" coalition heading into legislative elections on October 22.
Speaking at a political rally on Monday, the administration's chief political rival, former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, said that she knew she was "at the top of that list."
She called on Macri to "worry less about his black list, and more about the shopping lists of average Argentines" - a reference to a near-doubling in prices since Macri took office two years ago.
At: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hispantv.com%2Fnoticias%2Fargentina%2F356081%2Fcontroversia-lista-negra-dirigentes-politicos-jueces-listas-macri
Judi Lynn
(162,335 posts)It's easy to suspect Clarín may have opted to publish this info. at Macri's suggestion, to start applying psychological pressure to remind Argentina of the days when being on the "black list" was something absolutely deadly, and sent a lot of dissidents outside Argentina to wait until the fascist military dictatorship had been disbanded.
So many intellectuals, artists, writers, etc. had to relocate or be assassinated, taking up residence all over the world. It's sad so few US Americans realize what has even happened in the Americas, even though their own Republican Presidents fully supported all these bloody torturing fascist dictatorships.
Cristina's response is one which will resonate with the great majority being afflicted and crippled by this typical greedy, vicious kleptomaniac.
sandensea
(22,850 posts)This was not lost on human rights groups, one of which taunted Macri by asking why he shouldn't just 'throw people into the sea' instead. I'm sure Milagro Sala - whom Morales is trying to throw back in prison against the binding IACHR ruling - must be wondering just that.
As you know, some 8,000 of the 22,000 or so who disappeared in the late '70s - according to dictatorship officials themselves -were disposed of this way.
Thanks as always, Judi, for your thoughts and feedback.