U.S. revokes visa of Peru's former intelligence chief

From Elise Labott
CNN State Department Producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. State Department on Thursday revoked a visa that would have allowed former Peruvian intelligence chief Vladimiro Montesinos to enter the United States.

Montesinos is wanted in Peru on charges of corruption, ordering murder and money laundering. Some $48 million in Swiss bank accounts linked to him have been frozen. He is also suspected of fraud pertaining to an arms deal with Jordan, which reportedly left weapons in the hands of Colombian rebels.

"The U.S. Embassy in Lima is revoking Mr. Montesinos's visa today," said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher. "It is no longer valid."

Boucher did not know what type of visa Montesinos held, nor when it was issued. He did not give a reason for the revocation, other than to say that Montesinos "no longer qualifies" for visa status.

MESSAGE BOARD Peru in transition

Montesinos has not been notified about the decision, as he has been in hiding for two weeks. He returned to Peru from Panama after the Panamanian government refused to grant him asylum.

His return was in direct defiance of an order by President Alberto Fujimori to stay out of the country, and prompted Peruvian authorities to launch a manhunt for him.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Peru spy chief's Swiss millions frozen; key ally quits
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November 2, 2000

Bienvenidos al Ministerio de la Presidencia (Spanish)
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores del Peru (Spanish/English)
Congreso de la Republica del Peru (Spanish/English)
Peru Posible

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