The United States has rolled out a travel ban against former Argentine President Cristina Fernández, citing her involvement in significant corruption during her time in office. This decision, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also extends to former Planning Minister Julio Miguel De Vido and their immediate families.

Rubio asserted that both 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." This sentiment aligns with findings from multiple court rulings that have convicted them of corruption, undermining confidence in Argentina’s governance.

Fernández, who served two consecutive terms as president from 2007 to 2015, and later as vice president until 2023, was sentenced in 2022 to six years in prison and given a lifetime ban from holding public office due to her involvement in a fraud case centered around embezzlement. Although she is currently free and has denied all wrongdoing, a higher court upheld her conviction last year.

Rubio emphasized that the U.S. will remain dedicated to promoting accountability for public figures who misuse their power, reinforcing the government’s commitment to countering corruption at high levels. This travel ban, marking a significant U.S. action against corruption, reflects ongoing efforts to maintain integrity in governance worldwide. For further information, see the details in this report from Reuters, IndiaTimes, and CBS News.