29/06/2026 09:21 - Judiciales
The Federal Oral Court is preparing to close one of the most emblematic corruption cases in recent Argentine history. Julio De Vido, former Minister of Federal Planning, and José López, former Secretary of Public Works, face the final stretch of the trial for the scandal involving the Swedish company Skanska, which involved bribe payments amounting to millions of dollars in gas pipeline contracts during Néstor Kirchner's administration.
The case, which began with investigations in Sweden around 2007, revealed a systematic bribery scheme to obtain public contracts with inflated prices in gas pipeline expansion works.
Skanska is a Swedish construction company that operated in Argentina during the 2000s. Swedish authorities detected irregular payments of approximately $60 million dollars in bribes to Argentine officials to secure gas pipeline construction contracts.
The scandal erupted when Swedish authorities investigated the company for anti-corruption violations, leading to collaborations with Argentine justice to unravel the bribery scheme.
Julio De Vido served as Minister of Federal Planning between 2003 and 2015, being one of the closest officials to the Kirchner administration. He faces multiple corruption charges.
José López was Secretary of Public Works and also faces prosecution in other corruption cases, including the infamous case of bags filled with cash found at a convent in 2016.
The questioned contracts correspond to gas pipeline expansions between 2004 and 2006, during the peak of state-led energy policies under the Kirchner administration. The works involved millions of dollars in public investments that, according to the accusation, were artificially inflated through bribe payments.
The Swedish construction company allegedly paid bribes to officials and local businessmen to secure contract awards without real competition and with inflated budgets.
The ruling would mark a milestone in the fight against corruption in Argentina, closing a cycle of impunity that began nearly two decades ago. Anti-corruption organizations and international transparency bodies are closely watching the judicial process.
According to Infobae, the tribunal is evaluating evidence presented throughout extensive hearings that included testimonies, accounting documentation, and international collaborations.
Federal Oral Court: A type of Argentine court that handles criminal cases with judges who hear testimony and render verdicts.
Néstor Kirchner: President of Argentina from 2003 to 2007, whose administration is at the center of this investigation.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
