The United States has designated Cristina Elisabet Fernandez de Kirchner, former president of Argentina, and Julio Miguel De Vido, former Minister of Planning of Argentina, for their involvement in significant corruption during their time in public office.
According to a press statement from the 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, resulting in millions of dollars stolen from the Argentine government. Multiple courts have convicted CFK and De Vido for corruption, undermining the Argentine people's and investors' confidence in Argentina's future.
The U.S. will continue to promote accountability for those who abuse public power for personal gain. These designations reaffirm the country's commitment to counter global corruption, including at the highest levels of government. The action is made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024, which requires the Secretary of State to publicly or privately designate foreign officials and their immediate family members about whom there is credible information of involvement in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights.
The designation renders CFK, De Vido, and their immediate family members generally ineligible for entry into the United States. This move further emphasizes the U.S. government's dedication to holding those responsible for corruption accountable and promoting transparency and good governance around the world.
CFK and De Vido's involvement in significant corruption undermines the trust and confidence of investors and citizens in Argentina, and this action aims to address that issue. The U.S. will continue to work towards promoting accountability and counter global corruption, including at the highest levels of government.