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. The designations render CFK, De Vido, and their immediate family members generally ineligible for entry into the United States.
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. These actions have been corroborated by multiple courts, which have convicted CFK and De Vido for corruption, undermining the confidence of the Argentine people and investors in Argentina's future.
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. These designations reaffirm the country's commitment to counter global corruption, including at the highest levels of government. The move is part of the US effort to ensure that individuals who exploit their positions for personal benefit are held accountable and do not pose a risk to national security or international cooperation.
The designation affects CFK, De Vido, and their immediate family members, making them ineligible for entry into the United States. This action serves as a reminder of the US government's commitment to holding corrupt officials accountable and protecting the integrity of the global financial system.