The US State Department has implemented an entry ban on former Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and her former Minister of Planning, Julio Miguel De Vido, citing their involvement in “significant corruption” that included orchestrating bribery schemes linked to public works contracts. This designation was announced on JURIST.
According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the actions of Kirchner and De Vido significantly undermined public and investor confidence in Argentina, with both reportedly embezzling millions from government funds. As mandated by Section 7031(c) of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, top officials engaged in significant corruption or human rights violations can be rendered ineligible for entry into the United States.
Fernández de Kirchner was previously convicted in 2022 on charges of fraudulent administration for awarding contracts in exchange for bribes, resulting in a six-year prison sentence. Her conviction was upheld by an appeals court in 2024. Meanwhile, De Vido faced a conviction in 2018 for his role in the Buenos Aires rail disaster which resulted in the deaths of 51 people, further detailed in Argentina Reports.
Responding to these allegations, Kirchner has consistently denied the charges, claiming they are politically driven and orchestrated by a “judicial mafia,” as reported by JURIST in the linked article above.