Argentina Seeks Criminal Charges Against U.S. Firm For Abruptly Closing A Plant

Workers outside the entrance of RR Donnelley printing plant in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Aug. 11, 2014. (AP)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – The government of Argentina will seek criminal charges against representatives of a U.S.-based global printing company that abruptly shuttered its plant in the South American country.

President Cristina Fernandez said Thursday that RR Donnelley & Sons could be in possible violation of an anti-terrorism law, because its representatives may have sought to "create fear in the population" and undermine the economy with the plant closure.

It would be the first application of the anti-terrorism law that was adopted in 2011.

Fernandez said there was no legitimate economic justification for the closure and she accused the company of collaborating with foreign investors whose decade-long legal battle with the government triggered a July 30 default.

Workers at the RR Donnelley printing plant on the Buenos Aires outskirts showed up Monday to find a note informing them the facility was closed due to an "insurmountable crisis." About 400 workers lost their jobs, although about half of them are trying to keep the plant going despite getting no pay.

A spokeswoman in the company's headquarters in Chicago did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.