"A drug trafficker took the reins of the editorial policy's management in the radio and the press. The role of the media is sad and tragic, because they consciously participate in this covert operation," Quintana said.
In an interview with CNN, Valverde accused Morales of benefiting from contracts of the Chinese company CAMC which has been run by his former girlfriend Gabriela Zapata, an allegation the Bolivian President has denied.
Quintana mentioned that the persecution of the Bolivian president not only continued after February 21, when the referendum was held, but also served as a catalyst for a covert propaganda operation conducted by Washington and aimed at discrediting the government in front of the public.
"Such accusations are a part of a political plot, an insulting and aggressive campaign," Quintana said. "Carlos Valverde is a former drug dealer who suddenly became a corrupt journalist and secret agent of the US Embassy," he concluded.
Carlos Valverde is an oppositional journalist. During the presidency of Jaime Paz Zamora he had run the intelligence services of Bolivia. In 1993 he was arrested on suspicion of having connections to drug traffickers, but escaped punishment.
