Duval Times

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jim Risch (R-ID) have sent a letter to President Biden, urging the administration to take immediate action against former President and Vice President of Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, and her family members for their involvement in significant acts of corruption. The letter, signed by Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Bill Hagerty (R-TN), highlights the need to hold Kirchner and her family accountable for their actions.

The senators are calling on President Biden to utilize the tools available under Presidential Proclamation 7750 and Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related programs Appropriations Act to address this issue. They emphasize the importance of strengthening bilateral relations with Argentina and countering mutual security threats posed by corruption.

Fernández de Kirchner, who served as president of Argentina from 2007 to 2015, has been convicted of corruption and is considered a kleptocrat. She is accused of stealing billions from state coffers and facilitating the influence of malign actors such as China and Iran in Argentina.

In December 2022, Fernández de Kirchner was found guilty of profiting over $1 billion from fraudulently issued government contracts for public infrastructure. She was sentenced to six years in prison and a lifelong disqualification from seeking public office. Recently, the Argentine federal appeals court reopened the "Route of the K money" laundering probe against her.

The senators also highlight two other corruption cases against Fernández de Kirchner. The first case, known as 'Hotesur-Los Sauces,' implicates Fernández de Kirchner and nearly 30 others, including her adult children, for money laundering and illegal association. The second case, the 'Memorandum of Understanding with Iran,' accuses Fernández de Kirchner of colluding with Iran to cover up its role in the 1994 bombing of the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina Jewish community center.

These corruption cases occurred during Fernández de Kirchner's presidency, a period marked by Argentina's bankruptcy and hyperinflation. The senators note that this economic crisis facilitated major financial transactions between Argentina and countries like China, Russia, and Venezuela, compromising both U.S. and Argentina's security.

In their letter, the senators make a strong plea to President Biden to take immediate action and ensure that Fernández de Kirchner and her family members are held accountable for their involvement in acts of significant corruption.

The ball is now in President Biden's court to respond to the senators' request and address the issue of corruption in the Western Hemisphere.

Sincerely,

Click this link to access more information: https://www.rubio.senate.gov/rubio-risch-colleagues-to-biden-sanction-kirchner-and-family-for-corruption/