The world of politics is often plagued by corruption, but some politicians stand out above the rest. Here’s our list of the Top 10 Most Corrupt Politicians in the World and their crimes, which range from murder to embezzlement and more. If you think we’ve missed anyone, let us know in the comments!
Fidel Castro
He ran a communist regime that imprisoned and tortured dissidents, and his personal corruption was largely blamed for Cuba’s economic collapse. Despite being worth hundreds of millions of dollars, he chose to live a simple life in which he wore rumpled clothing and drove around a beat-up old car.
Muammar Gaddafi
After nearly 42 years of leading Libya, Gaddafi was ousted and killed by rebels during an eight-month civil war. Before his violent death, he was accused of being a corrupt dictator who used Libya’s money to fund arms for terrorist groups across Africa.
Robert Mugabe
President for Life Robert Mugabe, who was born on February 21, 1924, rose to prominence as a Marxist guerrilla leader and has been described as one of Africa’s longest-serving dictators. His reign over Zimbabwe earned him nicknames such as King Bob and Hitler of Africa. But where did his corruption start?
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
The most corrupt politician in the world? There’s a strong case to be made that she is. In June 2013, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was sworn in for a second term as president of Argentina. It might have been an event to celebrate—but it didn’t come without controversy.
Bashar al-Assad
President of Syria and current top contender for the most corrupt politician in the world. This leader has been accused of orchestrating his country’s humanitarian crisis while funneling weapons to ISIS. The Syrian Civil War alone has caused thousands of deaths and displaced millions more; should al-Assad remain leader, he may be responsible for even more civilian suffering.
Viktor Orbán
Orbán has been prime minister of Hungary since 1998 when his conservative party Fidesz won a two-thirds majority in parliament. Orbán is often compared to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who he admires. He remains as popular as ever and has even become more popular than the U.S.
Vladimir Putin
As president of Russia since 2000, Putin has been dogged by corruption allegations. The Panama Papers revealed that Putin’s close associates, including his cousin and his best friend, have bought assets worth millions through offshore companies.
Michel Temer
Brazil’s unpopular interim president Michel Temer finds himself at No. 9 on Newsweek’s list of corrupt politicians. He ascended to power after his predecessor, Dilma Rousseff, was impeached last year for her role in an elaborate kickback scheme. Time has also been accused of accepting bribes and illegal campaign donations—charges he denies. His approval rating is hovering around 10 percent, making him one of Brazil’s most disliked leaders ever—not exactly a feat among Brazilian politicians.
Donald Trump
Despite not technically being a politician, Donald Trump (the guy behind The Apprentice, you may know him) is still one of the most powerful men on Earth. So it’s only natural that he appears on our list of Most Corrupt Politicians in the World. Sadly for Trump, his business antics with bankruptcies, tax evasion, and discriminatory housing discrimination have all been well documented over the years, ultimately costing him what is estimated to be billions of dollars in today’s money.
Paul Kagame
Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza and Rwanda President Paul Kagame are two of Africa’s most powerful leaders. Both have been accused of perpetrating human rights abuses and overseeing government corruption schemes. It has been alleged that both men harbor strongman tendencies, which has led some to label them as dictators.
