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An Argentine scandal over a businessman carrying a suitcase of cash on a Government-hired jet has put President Nestor Kirchner on the defensive as he tries to help his wife Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner replace him at this year's election.
Claudio Uberti, a highway official who is one of Kirchner's key negotiators on energy deals with Venezuela, resigned yesterday after he allowed a Venezuelan businessman carrying almost US$800,000 ($1 million) in undeclared cash to travel on a jet hired by Argentine state energy company Enarsa.
The scandal comes a month after Kirchner's economy minister was forced to step down over more than US$60,000 found stashed in a bag in her office bathroom.
Opposition politicians, struggling in polls ahead of the October 28 presidential vote, jumped on the new case.
"The truth has come out, and it is proof of corruption in this Government," leftist presidential candidate Elisa Carrio, said.
- Reuters
