Washington, Mar 21 (EFE). – The United States government announced Friday sanctions against former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez (2007-2015) and former Federal Planning Minister Julio de Vido (2003-2015) for their “involvement in significant corruption during their time in public office.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that the action by the Donald Trump istration makes them and their immediate family ineligible to enter the United States.
Rubio said Fernández 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.”
The head of US diplomacy recalled that both have been convicted of corruption.
In November 2024, Argentina’s Federal Criminal Cassation Chamber upheld a six-year prison sentence and “perpetual disqualification from holding public office” against Fernández in a case known as “Vialidad.”
The case investigated irregularities in the concession of 51 road works to companies belonging to businessman Lázaro Báez during Fernández term and that of her late husband former President Néstor Kirchner (2003-2007).
The original sentence against Fernández, issued in December 2022, marked the first criminal conviction against her and generated a strong political impact, although the Peronist leader has not been detained because the sentence is not final.
On February 14, she appealed to the courts to have her conviction overturned, while the Argentine Attorney General’s Office, which also appealed, requested that the sentence be increased to 12 years, insisting on the charge of illicit association.
The Federal Criminal Cassation Chamber must decide whether to grant the extraordinary appeals and allow the Supreme Court to intervene or reject them, in which case the parties can still appeal directly to the Supreme Court.
Fernandez’s legal future is in the hands of the Supreme Court, whose decision could take months or even years. EFE
mgr/mcd
