BOLIVIA · US RELATIONS
Key Facts
- —What is happening Bolivian deputy Rolando Pacheco says he has clean hands after the US State Department restricted his visa on Thursday, 22 October, over alleged links to corruption or drug trafficking.
- —Why it matters Washington says it stands with Bolivia’s government in removing criminal influence from courts, police and the legislature, and the list reaches two sitting deputies, a former attorney general and judges.
- —The numbers The State Department restricted visas for 40 individuals in Bolivia, named 15 Bolivians and covered their immediate family members, under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- —Who is who Pacheco of Alianza Popular and Rafael López Mercado are the two deputies, joined by ex-Attorney General Juan Lanchipa, prosecutors, judges, police officials, civil servants and one private citizen.
- —What to watch Whether Bolivia’s government or Assembly responds, and whether Washington explains individual cases. A visa restriction is an immigration measure, not a criminal charge or a court finding.
- —Power Index Bolivia ranks 12th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 28.4 points (October 2026 edition).
- —What it means for you US readers see visa powers used as a drug-policy tool in Bolivia under the Shield of the Americas pact. The restrictions cover named people and families, not Bolivians in general.
A Bolivian deputy says he has clean hands after the US State Department restricted his visa. Washington says the measure targets corruption and drug trafficking.
Bolivian deputy Rolando Pacheco says the United States acted on political interests when it restricted his visa on Thursday, 22 October. In a statement carried by the daily Opinión, he said he has clean hands and is ready for any investigation.
The US State Department named Pacheco among 15 Bolivians whose visas it restricted over alleged links to corruption or drug trafficking. The published list gives no grounds for individual cases, and the measure is not a criminal charge.
The Bolivia visa restrictions show how Washington uses visa powers under its Shield of the Americas pact to press officials. The State Department says it stands with Bolivia’s government against narcotrafficking.
What Pacheco Says About the Visa Restriction
Pacheco is a deputy for Alianza Popular, an alliance built around Andrónico Rodríguez, the former Senate president. Data cited by eju.tv in August 2025 show it won six Chamber of Deputies seats and one Senate seat.
Eju.tv listed Pacheco as a deputy-elect for Santa Cruz department on the alliance’s list. Opinión, which carried his statement on Thursday evening, did not name his home region.
“Tengo las manos limpias”, he said, meaning he has clean hands and a clear conscience. He added that he expects justice to act impartially.
Pacheco said his only offence was defending the people. Weeks earlier, Opinión reported, he had called rumours of such a list interference and political persecution.
Vice President Edmand Lara asked that both deputies on the list be referred to the Chamber’s Ethics Committee, Unitel reported. The government said it will give no protection to anyone named, Opinión reported.
What Washington Announced on 22 October
The State Department issued the list in a press statement under Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s name. It put visa restrictions on 40 individuals in Bolivia and named 15 Bolivians, with their immediate family members also covered.
The statement cites Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act. That clause lets the Secretary of State refuse a visa when entry could seriously harm US foreign policy.
It applies a policy announced on Monday, 28 September, against foreign nationals who undermine elected governments through corruption or narcotrafficking. The department links the step to the Doral Summit in March and the Shield of the Americas leaders’ statement of 22 September.
The department says the United States “stands with the government of Bolivia” as it works to remove criminal influence from its institutions. It says the policy applies “regardless of their political affiliation”.
Who Else Is on the List
Alongside Pacheco, the list names deputy Rafael López Mercado of the Libre alliance. He told El Deber he will defend his honour and presumption of innocence, without guessing at motives.
Former Attorney General Juan Lanchipa Ponce is on the list, with three other prosecutors or former prosecutors and three judges. Two of the judges sit on or head the Santa Cruz departmental court.
Three civil servants are named: a former financial intelligence chief, a Santa Cruz civil registry official and a former migration head. Two police officials, one a former airport security chief at Viru Viru, complete the group.
The fifteenth name is Rony Suárez Milliet, listed as a private citizen. Unitel describes him as a civilian investigated for alleged ties to Sebastian Marset, and his response was not reported.
Earlier reports explain the sanctions on Bolivia’s judges and a judge who quit after the list. This report follows the deputy who rejects the measure.
How the List Follows the Mariaca Case
The 28 September measure named then Attorney General Roger Mariaca. Pauta says the State Department accused him of taking bribes to help drug trafficking, and no conviction was reported.
Mariaca entered the Cantumarca prison in Potosí on Monday, 5 October, under six months of preventive detention, Correo del Sur reported. He faces investigations for alleged narcotrafficking links and money laundering.
For context, see earlier coverage of a cocaine-plane bribe claim and of the Bolivian request for US backing of two police units. The Bolivia hub and the explainer on who holds power in Bolivia add the political background.
What It Means for US Readers
The case shows visas as an instrument of US drug policy in the Andes, backed by the Shield of the Americas pledge. Washington pairs public support for Bolivia’s government with pressure on named officials.
The statement concerns named people and their immediate families. The reports reviewed describe no change in visa rules for other Bolivians or for US visitors to Bolivia.
What Is Not Known
The State Department has not published grounds for individual cases, so the accusations against Pacheco and the others are unspecified. The department’s page does not say how the 40 individuals divide between the 15 named people and family members.
No Bolivian prosecutor has been reported to have opened a case against Pacheco, and Lara’s call is not a case. Most of the other named people had not responded in the reports reviewed.
Opinión, citing the state agency ABI, quotes a US assistant secretary of state on X, but the full post was not checked. Opinión also calls the step a sanction, while the State Department describes visa restrictions.
What Comes Next
No date has been set for a further list, and the department has not said whether more names will follow. Pacheco and López have said they will address the matter through proper channels or investigations.
The restriction does not mean a criminal finding, and it does not prevent Bolivian courts from acting or declining to act. Any charge would have to come from Bolivian prosecutors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the US do to Rolando Pacheco?
The US State Department restricted his visa on 22 October, naming him among 15 Bolivians. It cites alleged corruption or drug trafficking, and he rejects the move as political.
What law does the State Department cite?
It cites Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. That clause allows a visa refusal when entry could seriously harm US foreign policy.
Is this a criminal charge?
No, a visa restriction is an immigration measure, not a conviction or an indictment. Bolivian reports stress that the accusations are not judicial findings.
Who else is on the list?
Deputy Rafael López Mercado, former Attorney General Juan Lanchipa, prosecutors, judges, police officials, civil servants and private citizen Rony Suárez Milliet. The department named 15 Bolivians in all.
How many people are affected in total?
The State Department says 40 individuals in Bolivia, with 15 named. It has not said how many of the 40 are immediate family members.
Sources: US Department of State press statement, 22 October 2026; Opinión, 22 October 2026; El Deber, 22 October 2026; Unitel, 22 October 2026; La Paz Media, 22 October 2026; Opinión on the government response, 22 October 2026; Unitel on Lara, 22 October 2026; eju.tv, 22 August 2025; Pauta, 29 September 2026; Correo del Sur, 5 October 2026 (all accessed 23 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief