WASHINGTON/BUENOS AIRES (Reuters)– The U.S. government on Friday imposed an entry ban on former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and ex-Planning Minister Julio Miguel De Vido, citing their involvement in “significant corruption” linked to long-running legal cases in Argentina. Fernandez de Kirchner, a leftist who served as Argentina’s president from 2007 to 2015, remains an influential political figure and a vocal critic of libertarian President Javier Milei, a supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Fernandez de Kirchner and De Vido of abusing their positions by orchestrating bribery schemes tied to public works contracts, siphoning millions of dollars from the Argentine government. The former president has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the cases against her are politically motivated. Rubio further stated that their actions had damaged confidence in Argentina’s governance and economy.
The travel ban extends to their immediate family members. Fernandez de Kirchner, who also served as Argentina’s vice president until 2023, currently leads the main Peronist party. However, her popularity has declined amid mounting legal troubles. Late last year, a court upheld her conviction for awarding state contracts to a close associate, sentencing her to six years in prison and imposing a lifetime ban from holding public office. She has rejected the ruling as flawed and is appealing the decision to Argentina’s Supreme Court. In response to the U.S. sanctions, Fernandez de Kirchner took to Facebook, shifting focus to Milei and Trump.
“You left your prints all over this,” she wrote, addressing Milei. She also called on her supporters to march on Monday, a date marking Argentina’s remembrance of the 1976 military coup and traditionally associated with human rights demonstrations.
Source : https://www.usnews.com/
