The “Shared Dreams” case became one of the most emblematic judicial cases for alleged corruption in the use of public funds during the Kirchner governments. The investigation focuses on the destination of millions of dollars in state resources that were supposed to finance the construction of social housing, but which, according to the prosecution, would have been
diverted.
The “Shared Dreams” program was promoted by the Mothers Foundation of Plaza de Mayo, which at that time was chaired by the late Hebe de Bonafini. Through this scheme, the national State financed the construction of housing in different provinces and municipalities of the country. Between 2008 and 2011, approximately 748 million pesos were transferred from that time for that purpose
.
However, the judicial investigation maintains that more than 200 million pesos were not used to build housing, but that it would have been diverted to companies linked to the program's administrators and to personal expenses.
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner with Hebe de Bonafini.
Who are the main stakeholders
?
At the center of the cause are the brothers Sergio and Pablo Schoklender, who served as representatives of the Fundación Madres de Plaza de Mayo and played a key role in the administration of the funds. According to the prosecution, they were primarily responsible for the diversion of money through a company structure and financial maneuvers
. The convicted Julio de Vido together with the deceased and investigated Hebe de Bonafini.
Former national government officials are also accused, including: Julio De Vido,
former Minister of Federal Planning
.
José López, former Secretary of Public Works, remembered for the purse money scandal.
Other former officials such as Abel Fatala and Carlos Castellano.
In addition, Bonafini's own Hebe was initially sent to trial, although she died in 2022.
What crimes are being investigated?
The case revolves mainly around three types of crimes:
Defrauding the State: for the alleged misuse of
public funds.
Illicit association: because of the possible existence of an organized structure to commit the acts.
Money Laundering: in a second stage of the file, linked to the acquisition of assets with allegedly diverted funds.
CFK together with Hebe and other members of the Foundation.
According to the investigation, cash withdrawals, the issuance of checks in the name of those involved and transfers to companies related to the Schoklenders were detected
.
Why did the cause take so long?
Although the investigation began in 2011 and was brought to trial in 2019, the process suffered multiple delays: changes of judges, annulments, technical discussions and statute of limitations.
This led to the oral trial only beginning in 2026, with the concrete risk that some crimes will be prescribed if there is no timely resolution, which generated strong criticism of the functioning of the judicial system.
Hebe de Bonafini with Sergio Schoklender.
Why is this a key case
?
The “Shared Dreams” cause not only involves millions of dollars, but it also highlights the use of a key social program —housing construction— in the midst of alleged irregular maneuvers, with the participation of an extremely symbolic organization such as the Fundación Madres de Plaza de Mayo.
Over the years, the case became a witness case about the lack of controls over the use of public funds, the corruption and inefficiency of officials and related actors, and the delays in justice that keep the case on the verge of statute of limitations.
