Tens of thousands of supporters of Argentina's former president beat drums and clogged traffic in Buenos Aires on Wednesday as they streamed toward the court where she is appearing in a case about irregularities at the central bank under her watch.
Cristina Fernandez, who stepped down as president last December after governing for eight years, was a divisive figure, revered by many for her generous welfare programs and reviled by others for her interventions in the economy.
She reappeared in Buenos Aires for the first time in four months on Monday and was to testify on Wednesday in a case about the central bank selling US dollar futures at below-market rates during her presidency, costing the public sector billions of dollars.
Fernandez, 63, also was accused by a prosecutor of money laundering last weekend, following testimony by a businessman. Under Argentine law, a judge still needs to determine whether to accept the charge and call for an investigation.
Fernandez' supporters chanted "We will return" to the government, and "If they touch Cristina, we're gonna create chaos" as they marched in groups throughout the city center, undeterred by the steady rain. Many arrived by train or bus from outer suburbs or towns, carrying banners and Argentine flags.
The protests come at an already tricky time for current President Mauricio Macri, whose popularity is falling in the wake of unpopular policy moves such as a steep devaluation and cuts in subsidies for gas, electricity and transport.
Fernandez supporters say Macri's government is waging a war of revenge on Fernandez, who was constitutionally barred from running for a third consecutive term last year.
Some say it is trying to distract from accusations against Macri regarding his links with offshore societies as revealed by the "Panama Papers" leak.
"How do you try to hide an elephant in Florida Street?" local media reported her former cabinet chief and mayor of Resistencia, Jorge Capitanich, as saying in reference to one of Buenos Aires' main streets. "Well, filling Florida street with elephants."
Many legal experts question the legitimacy of the central bank case, which stems from a complaint filed by two lawmakers from the ruling alliance.
"The investigation … has no future, because there is no penal crime here," a senior judicial source told Reuters. "[The judge] has already gone too far. I do not think he will imprison Cristina."
