The United States has designated former President Cristina Elisabet Fernandez de Kirchner and former Minister of Planning Julio Miguel De Vido for their involvement in significant corruption, rendering them generally ineligible for entry into the country.
According to a statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CFK and De Vido abused their positions by orchestrating and financially benefiting from multiple bribery schemes involving public works contracts. The schemes resulted in millions of dollars stolen from the Argentine government, undermining confidence in Argentina's future. Multiple courts have convicted both individuals for corruption.
The designations are made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024, as carried forward by the Continuing Appropriations, 2025. This section requires the Secretary of State to publicly or privately designate foreign officials and their immediate family members about whom the Secretary has credible information of involvement in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights.
The United States will continue to promote accountability for those who abuse public power for personal gain. The designation of CFK and De Vido reaffirms the country's commitment to counter global corruption, including at the highest levels of government.
The move is part of the administration's efforts to address corruption worldwide and ensure that those who abuse their power are held accountable.