U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced sanctions against Argentina’s former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and former Minister of Planning Julio Miguel De Vido, citing their roles in major corruption scandals. The decision bans both individuals and their families from entering the United States.

According to Rubio, Kirchner and De Vido abused their public positions by orchestrating bribery schemes tied to public works contracts, leading to the embezzlement of millions of dollars from the Argentine government. He emphasized that these actions seriously undermined public trust and investor confidence in Argentina’s future.

Kirchner served as president from 2007 to 2015 and later held the role of vice president. In December 2022, she was sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted in a high-profile corruption case. De Vido has also faced multiple convictions linked to financial misconduct during his time in office.

The U.S. sanctions mark a clear stance by the State Department on international accountability and corruption. Rubio’s move reinforces Washington’s policy of targeting foreign officials found guilty of misusing public office, especially when their actions compromise democratic institutions and economic stability abroad.

These latest sanctions serve as a signal that the U.S. intends to hold foreign leaders accountable for corruption, particularly when it involves the misappropriation of public funds through complex bribery networks. The ban applies not only to the two individuals but also to their immediate family members, cutting off any access to U.S. soil and further isolating them from international political legitimacy.