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Argentina Extradites Businessman Fred Machado to Texas to Face U.S. Federal Charges

He is expected to appear in the Eastern District of Texas after a transfer authorized by Argentina’s Supreme Court and executed with U.S. Marshals and local security forces.

Overview

  • Machado departed Ezeiza on a United Airlines flight to Houston on November 5 under tight security, with arrival scheduled early Thursday and immediate handover to U.S. authorities.
  • U.S. prosecutors accuse him of narcotics trafficking, money laundering and fraud tied to aircraft deals, alleging tens of millions of dollars moved between 2015 and 2020.
  • Argentina’s executive implemented the extradition the same day the Supreme Court approved it on October 14, directing Foreign Affairs, the Security Ministry and other offices to complete the process.
  • Phones and documents seized in Argentina were transported with Machado to be available to the U.S. prosecution.
  • The case reverberated in Argentine politics through records of a $200,000 transfer linked to José Luis Espert’s 2019 campaign, prompting his withdrawal from a recent candidacy and a leave from Congress.