Overview

• Argentina’s Supreme Court unanimously authorized Machado’s extradition to the United States, with the final administrative step pending at the executive level.
• In broadcast and print interviews, Machado acknowledged giving Espert at least $200,000 along with travel and logistical support, aligning with a Bank of America entry from January 22, 2020 cited in Texas court records.
• Federal prosecutor Fernando Domínguez formally imputed Espert for alleged money laundering linked to the transfer, while a separate case examines multiple flights on aircraft associated with Machado.
• Judge Marcelo Martínez De Giorgi has indicated he may delay any summons of Espert until the extradition process and related U.S. proceedings progress.
• Machado characterized the payments as a consultancy and suggested the total could have reached about $500,000, as polling showed reputational damage for Espert and fresh political criticism of the government.