Argentinian skipper Lázaro Báez, at Buenos Aires airport last year.
Agustin Marcarian (REUTERS)
Argentines have a history too complicated to believe in coincidences. Since the assassination of prosecutor Nisman in January 2015, a few hours before he went to Parliament to explain his complaint against Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, they have specialized in what the Italians, great inspirers of the south of the country, call dietetics: the science of what hides behind things? the conspiracies that move the world.
Few countries talk about their secret services as much as the Argentines. His best-known informant, Antonio Stiuso, even goes live on television, gives interviews and is the source of numerous journalistic reports. For this reason, when Aldo Ducler, a key figure in the Kirchner finances, died last week in the heart of Buenos Aires, no one believed the official reading: a heart attack. Two days earlier, Ducler had offered the government information on the Kirchners in exchange for parne. His son pointed to a homicide, said the Kirchners were “gang leaders” and assured his father had all the paperwork to prove it. Senior politicians, including Vice President Gabriela Michetti, have called for an urgent investigation. Finally, CCTV video surfaced showing Ducler collapsing alone in the middle of the street, clearly showing signs of a heart attack. But few remained calm. A few days later, prosecutor Federico Delgado, who was investigating the Odebrecht case and referring to the Kirchner governments, was run over with his bicycle in the city center. He suffered a homestay cut without major consequences, but again hardly anyone believed the official reading.
The auction took place on Monday. An escort of Lázaro Báez, the Kirchners’ closest boss and imprisoned for alleged corruption, fell from the second floor of the hospital where his escort was admitted. He fractured his skull and a patron, but he was saved. The official reading: a poorly fortified gate. Suspicions arose again. Trying to provide reliable evidence that it was an abandonment is futile in the land of perpetual suspicion.