What does "a cargo de" mean?

The phrase "a cargo de" translates to "in charge of," "responsible for," or "in the care of." It is used in professional contexts to indicate who manages or oversees something, and in personal contexts to describe who is looking after someone — such as a child or dependent. It can also indicate who bears a cost or expense.

Examples

1.
¿Quién está a cargo de este departamento?
Who is in charge of this department? (presente de indicativo)
2.
Antes, mi madre estaba a cargo de todas las finanzas de la casa.
Before, my mother was in charge of all the household finances. (imperfecto de indicativo)
3.
La abuela se quedó a cargo de los niños todo el fin de semana.
Grandma stayed in charge of the children all weekend. (pretérito)
4.
El nuevo director estará a cargo de todas las operaciones desde el lunes.
The new director will be in charge of all operations from Monday. (futuro)
5.
Yo estaría a cargo del proyecto si me dieran la oportunidad.
I would be in charge of the project if they gave me the opportunity. (potencial simple)
6.
Es importante que alguien esté a cargo de la situación en todo momento.
It is important that someone be in charge of the situation at all times. (presente de subjuntivo)
7.
Buscaban a alguien que estuviera a cargo del equipo durante la crisis.
They were looking for someone to be in charge of the team during the crisis. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
8.
¿Has estado alguna vez a cargo de un equipo grande?
Have you ever been in charge of a large team? (perfecto de indicativo)
9.
Cuando llegué a la empresa, Juan ya había estado a cargo del área varios años.
When I joined the company, Juan had already been in charge of the department for several years. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
10.
Apenas hubieron estado a cargo del gobierno, promulgaron nuevas leyes.
As soon as they had been in charge of the government, they enacted new laws. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
11.
Para cuando termine el proyecto, todos los gastos habrán corrido a cargo de la empresa.
By the time the project is finished, all expenses will have been covered by the company. (futuro perfecto)
12.
Habría estado a cargo del negocio, pero decidió emigrar.
He would have been in charge of the business, but he decided to emigrate. (potencial compuesto)
13.
No creo que haya estado a cargo de esa decisión él solo.
I don't think he has been solely in charge of that decision. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
14.
Si hubiera estado a cargo del proyecto desde el principio, los resultados habrían sido mejores.
If she had been in charge of the project from the start, the results would have been better. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
15.
¡Hazte a cargo de la situación ahora mismo!
Take charge of the situation right now! (imperativo)