How a world leader live-tweeted breaking news

Wednesday, 10 July 2013

It’s unusual for a head of state to comprehensively live-tweet a breaking news story, especially one they are part of. But that’s exactly what Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (@CFKArgentina) did on July 2 – providing a compelling account as global attention turned to the re-rerouting of Bolivian President Evo Morales’ plane based on the suspicion that he was transporting NSA leaker Edward Snowden out of Russia.

Gawker reporter Max Read (@max_read), with the help of translations by Kragen Javier Sitaker, told President Kirchner’s story. These are just some of the Tweets she posted during the day, with Sitaker’s translations following each Tweet.

I got back from the Casa Rosada [the seat of the executive branch]. Olivos [where the presidential residence is located], 9:46 PM. “President Correa [of Ecuador] on the line.” “Rafael? I’ll take the call.”

“Hi Rafa, what’s up?” He answers me with a mix of anger and anguish. “Don’t you know what’s going on?”

“No, what’s going on?” I’m struck speechless. Strange, since I’m always alert… and careful. But I’d just gotten out of a meeting.

“Cristina. Evo’s been detained in his plane. They’re not letting him leave Europe.”

Here’s the original piece with the full exchange, demonstrating how Twitter can provide a window into a world none of us might see otherwise.

As for interest in President Kirchner, her follower count grew by more than 25,000, illustrating the public interest in first-hand perspectives being shared on Twitter.