Kirchner hospitalized after surgery complication

Former Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner remains hospitalized at Otamendi Hospital in Buenos Aires with a postoperative intestinal complication after surgery for appendicitis, medical staff said in an update. The 72-year-old, who is serving house arrest on corruption charges, was diagnosed with localized peritonitis and signs consistent with postoperative ileus after a CT scan of her abdomen. She is receiving intravenous antibiotics and peritoneal drainage, and clinicians said continued hospitalization is necessary until her condition improves.

Doctors described the complication as slight and manageable, stressing that Kirchner is conscious, in good spirits and responding to treatment. Medical teams emphasized cautious monitoring given her history and noted no immediate life-threatening issues; further tests and updates will be provided as needed. Hospital authorities said the condition arose during follow-up care after the appendectomy and urged that it is being treated promptly.

Supporters gathered outside Otamendi Hospital displaying banners and messages of solidarity, while political allies and opponents alike expressed concern and wishes for her recovery. The health update has particular resonance because Kirchner remains a central and polarizing figure in Argentine politics: she served as president from 2007 to 2015 and later as vice president, and continues to wield influence within the ruling coalition despite reduced day-to-day activity.

Kirchner is also facing an ongoing oral trial in the high-profile “notebooks” corruption case, in which prosecutors accuse her of heading an illicit association that received bribes from business figures in return for public works contracts. Her legal troubles include multiple investigations and convictions that have shaped domestic political debate and polarized public opinion. Observers note that developments in her health frequently have political implications, prompting heightened attention from parties across the spectrum.

Clinicians reported that Kirchner’s current regimen—antibiotics and drainage—aims to resolve the localized infection and manage intestinal motility disturbances common after abdominal surgery. They cautioned that recovery timelines depend on clinical response and that hospitalization will continue until improvement is confirmed. For now, medical staff described her overall condition as stable and under close observation, and officials pledged to update the public if circumstances change.