U.S. Ambassador to Greece Accused of Steering Balkan Energy Deals for Private Firm
Kimberly Guilfoyle, U.S. ambassador to Greece, is alleged to have used her post to promote the Greek construction firm Aktor Group and its lobbyist, raising concerns of diplomatic corruption.
A detailed investigation claims that Kimberly Guilfoyle, serving as U.S. ambassador to Greece, has turned her diplomatic role into a platform for the Greek construction company Aktor Group. She has partnered with lobbyist Christos Marafatsos, who has been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to promote the firm to senior officials in the United States and the Balkans. Through her advocacy, Aktor secured a joint venture with DEPA and pursued a multibillion-dollar gas supply deal with Albania that would run through 2050, as well as agreements with gas firms in Bulgaria, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Romania.
Observers note that such direct promotion of a foreign private company by a U.S. ambassador is highly irregular and may constitute diplomatic corruption. Guilfoyle and the White House have denied any wrongdoing, but the report highlights threats she allegedly made to Greek officials about political interference. The episode underscores broader concerns about the influence of Trump-aligned appointees in U.S. foreign policy.
Why it matters
It highlights possible misuse of diplomatic power for private gain, raising questions about U.S. foreign policy integrity.
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