In this photo taken on Dec 10, 2019 Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez, left, hugs Argentine Transport Minister Mario Meoni during his swearing in ceremony at Casa Rosada. Meoni died on April 23, 2021 in a car accident. (PHOTO / AFP)
Argentina’s Transport Minister Mario Meoni died Friday in a traffic accident while returning from an official visit to the city of Rosario, the presidential press office said. He was 56.
He was driving alone in his official vehicle during the accident, the press office added
He was driving alone in his official vehicle during the accident, the press office added. In his final tweets on Friday, he talked about the visit with President Alberto Fernandez to the largest city of Santa Fe province, where they signed agreements on ports, rail services and other infrastructure investments.
“With him we lose a thorough, tireless and honest politician, an exemplary official,” the president said in a tweet. “With sincere regret, I accompany those like me who have loved and respected him.”
News of his death drew tributes, including the Cabinet Chief Santiago Cafiero, who called him a “great colleague.”
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Meoni was born in 1965 in Ascencion, a town close to Junin, a city where he was the mayor from 2003 to 2015. After leaving that role, he was a director of the Bank of the Province of Buenos Aires, before joining Fernandez’s cabinet more than a year ago.
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On his website, he talked about growing up as the son of a highway employee and a housewife. He started working at 15 as a glass cleaner at a cafe.
He was married with two children.
