Latin American leaders back Argentine VP after prosecutor's prison request

Argentine Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner greets supporters gathered outside the National Congress, after she gave a speech via social media, defending herself from allegations against her in a corruption case, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, August 23, 2022. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -Latin American leaders sent their support to Argentina's Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner on Wednesday, after a federal prosecutor asked for extensive prison time in her corruption proceedings.

In a letter widely published on social media, the presidents of Mexico, Colombia and Bolivia said they backed Fernandez de Kirchner two days after a federal prosecutor requested she get a 12-year jail sentence if found guilty. She is charged with defrauding the state and involvement in a scheme to divert public funds while president from 2007 to 2015.