Overview

• Newly published Bank of America records and U.S. court filings detail a $200,000 transfer dated January 22, 2020 to José Luis Espert, including a reference to the aircraft code N28FM linked to Machado.
• Espert acknowledged the payment in a video, describing it as declared income for private consulting to a company connected to Machado rather than campaign funds.
• Presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni said Espert is obliged to give more explanations to ensure transparency, President Javier Milei voiced support, and Espert said he will remain a candidate in October.
• An Argentine federal judge determined Espert used aircraft associated with Machado at least 35 times during the 2019 campaign, drawing on flight records and testimony.
• Machado remains under house arrest in Viedma as a U.S. extradition request advances, and the bank records were part of the USA v. Mercer‑Erwin case that led to Debra Mercer‑Erwin’s conviction.