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against Milanes, associates By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The Ministerio Público has filed formal charges against Luis Milanes Tamayo and others who were connected with the failed Savings Unlimited high interest business. Filing charges is another step in the formal process leading to trial. That charges were filed against five or six individuals was confirmed by a lawyer involved in the case. The charging document, which is not available to the public, is said to run to 500 pages. Milanes was the man who closed up his money borrowing operation Nov. 23, 2002, and fled. During his absence family members and others continued to run his holdings here, which include casinos and hotels. He is the man who surrendered himself to law officers at Juan Santamaría airport June 19. He said he wanted to make a deal with his former customers of his Savings Unlimited. A judge quickly set him free on the condition that he create liens in favor of Costa Rica on six properties he owns and that he put up a substantial amount of cash. At the time he surrendered, about 200 persons had filed actions against him. That was out of the estimated 2,000 who had accounts when he closed his offices. Since then, the number making formal claims had swollen to more than 500 raising the question of whether Milanes can make a reasonable settlement satisfactory to his creditors. In Costa Rica individuals can escape many criminal actions if victims agree to a payment. When he left, customers estimated that accounts valued at about $100 million remained unpaid. Some of his associates served time in jail in preventative detention but then they were let out and continue to work in Milanes enterprises in the Central Valley. The next step in the process is for court officials to serve those who have been formally charged. Eventually all will end up before a judge in a session resembling a preliminary hearing where the judge will determine if prosecutors have sufficient evidence to proceed. Milanes is Cuba-American, but nothing has been heard from U.S. officials who may want to join the case because many of the victims are Americans. Home invaders-murderers get 60-year prison terms By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Two men who staged a home invasion at the house of a former presidential candidate got the maximum penalty for two murders that happened during the crime. The Tribunal de Juicio de San José handed down 60-year sentences each Thursday against José Pablo Umaña Montero and Alexis Gerardo Rueda Brenes. They each got 25 years for each murder and 10 years for the robbery. The sentences can be changed as the case goes to review before the Sala III high criminal court. The men were with a 15-year-old and an unidentified man when they staged an invasion and robbery at the home of Ricardo Toledo in the Rohrmoser western suburb. The crime happened in the early evening of March 21, 2007, when Toledo's wife arrived home and was about to park her car inside a garage. Three men burst in, pistol whipped her and broke her left arm and then shot and killed a domestic employee working inside the house and a neighbor who came out on his balcony to see what was happening. An individual who was then 15 years old has been sentenced as a juvenile to 15 years for murder and aggravated robbery in the case. The Toledo home is near the Parque La Amistad. Killed inside the house was Ligia Hernández Alvarado, 42, a domestic employee. A neighbor, Werner Bohl, 48, died on his second-floor balcony across the street. Ironically it was the 15-year-old who shot Bohl. The trio were captured a short time later by the Fuerza Pública in a chase punctuated by gunshots. Toledo, a former legislative deputy and minister of the Presidencia under Abel Pacheco, ran on the Unidad Social Cristiana ticket in 2006 against Óscar Arias Sánchez and others. All in dog case acquitted by trial panel in Cartago By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
A Cartago court has acquitted 10 men in the death of a sneak thief who was killed by two guard dogs while police and others watched. The decision was expected because prosecutors told the court earlier that the case against two Fuerza Pública officers could not be proven. The two were accused of failing in their duty as the man was being attacked by two Rottweiler dogs. The dead man was Natividad Canda Mairena. The incident took place Nov. 10, 2005, in Lima de Cartago at a salvage yard and was filmed for later showing on local television. In addition to the two policemen who responded first, other policemen, firemen and rescue workers had been accused. The court did award the mother of the victim, Juana Francisca Mairena, 10 million colons,about $18,200.
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| A.M. Costa Rica third newspage |
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 This female Canada warbler is among the first trapped this year. |
 This male Canada warbler also may have traveled more than 5,000 kms (3,100 miles) to Turrialba. |
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Tiny visitors beginning to
show up from the chilling north
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By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
For the birds, Costa Rica already is experiencing high season. That was the word Thursday from the Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza in Turrialba where scientists keep track of such things. The research center, known as CATIE, studies the distribution of migratory birds by watching, capturing and evaluating the physical condition of the visitors. Each year, CATIE noted, thousands of birds leave their reproduction areas and travel to spend the winter in warmer weather. This week the first migrating birds arrived at the organization's facilities in Turrialba. Some birds will stay, CATIE notes, but others will push on further south. The variety of birds that visit between September and March makes Costa Rica an attractive place for birdwatchers and those who just appreciate the colors and sounds the animals bring. The route here is not an easy one, and the birds face many challenges, said CATIE, citing tropical storms and hurricanes that kill large numbers of the birds. Lack of habitat and challenges of the climate are some of the other problems the migrating species face. |
CATIE researchers work with other
scientists elsewhere to map out
migratory routes and to estimate the size of each bird species. Naturally the migrating birds that already have arrived are from Canada and Alaska. Incredibly, most of these birds winter in Colombia, Venezuela, Perú and Bolivia. They include the Canada warbler (Wilsonia canadensis), locally known in Spanish as the reinita pechirrayada. This 10.5-gram (third-of-an-ounce) bird reproduces in central Canada and the United States, and most go further south although some stay in Central America for the northern winter, according to CATIE. The Western wood pewee (Contopus sordidulus), locally known as the pibí occidental, has a summer range from Alaska to the highlands of Honduras. In the northern winter this 13.5-gram (half-ounce) bird heads for South America, said CATIE. The most abundant and common, according to a CATIE release, is the Yellow warbler (Dendroica petechia), known in Spanish as the reinita amarilla. This is one of the first species to arrive and among the last to leave, CATIE said. Its reproductive range is from Alaska to central México, and some winter here and others head as far south as Amazonia, said a CATIE summary. |
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Administration vows to work
hard to dodge free trade snag
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By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Costa Rican officials will set up a meeting with U.S. Embassy workers here in an effort to ease a snag that will keep the free trade treaty with the United States and other Latin countries from going into force. In addition, officials will try to expedite the process to resolve concerns expressed in a decision by the Sala IV constitutional court. The 4-3 decision was released Thursday afternoon and said that lawmakers made an error in which they passed the final free trade-related measure. Costa Rica is working against an Oct. 1 deadline to pass all the changes in national law to make it consistent with the free trade treaty. Thursday night in a hastily called press conference, Laura Chinchilla, the acting president, said that the government would do everything possible to make sure Costa Rica is not left out of the trade treaty. All the other signatory nations have approved the treaty, and the agreement has entered into force. Some did so in a few weeks after the document was signed in August 2004. Costa Rica had to seek an extension from the United States and the other nations involved, in part because a public referendum was ordered last Oct. 7 and because getting legislative approval is a long process. In all, there were 13 bills linked to the trade agreement. And all were fought by opponents. The summary of the Sala IV decision said that the constitutional flaws were in the way in which the legislation was adopted. The measure is a change in certain Costa Rican laws to better protect intellectual property, such as copyrighted materials, software and designer clothes. Last Feb. 28, Costa Rica and Susan C. Schwab, the U.S. |
trade representative, announced
that the country was getting a
seven-month extension to get its legal house in order so that the
treaty would enter into force here. Oct. 1 is the deadline. The constitutional court said that lawmakers made mistakes by failing to publicize and meet with the Indian tribes over the treaty as required under an agreement with the International Labor Organization. This was the first time that the court rejected a free trade measure. Costa Rica might end up seeking yet another extension. Or lawmakers may somehow expedite the process of getting the final piece of legislation approved again with the consultations required by the court. Some skeptics wonder privately if the administration of Óscar Arias Sánchez really is pushing strongly for the treaty to go into force. Publicly the administration says that it is. However, at least one former legislator notes that the relationship between the United States and Costa Rica has changed dramatically since the treaty was negotiated. The United States has economic problems, and Costa Rica is moving closer to oil-rich Venezuela and the People's Republic of China. Some also cite the case of Chere Lyn Tomayko, the U.S. woman sought to face an indictment of parental child abduction. Costa Rica went back on its obligation under an international extradition treaty, granted the woman refuge status and doubted that the U.S. courts would give her a fair hearing. Privately some administration officials humorously called Ms. Tomayko the "TLC deal killer," using the Spanish acronym for the free trade agreement. Now a second woman fugitive seeks to avoid U.S. law by seeking refugee status. |
| Two local groups combine to encourage U.S. voting |
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| It’s
no secret that two of my favorite groups are Democrats Abroad and the
Little Theatre Group of Costa Rica. They were the first two
organizations I joined after I arrived, and they opened the door to
friendships, good company and opportunities that I never expected. Sunday of this past week the two groups joined forces for a good cause: to raise money for the non-partisan registration of voters in the upcoming U.S. election. The inexhaustible dynamo spearheading this effort for Demos Abroad was Pat Piessens. Pat and her husband, Willie, have taken on voter registration as a mission in life. A large number of members of both groups helped in the project, especially Mary White, president of the theater group, and Dorothy Allison, director and producer of the musical comedy, “Nunsense,” (written by Dan Goggin), which was the centerpiece of the fundraiser. The music was invisible and flawless (to me, at least), directed by Bob Alison. The choreography, not so flawlessly executed — have you ever tried to tap dance in a habit? -— was created by Sherrie Gingery. Members of Democrats Abroad furnished a huge bocas buffet. “Nunsense” is well named. It is a rollicking, farcical comedy featuring five unlikely nuns who are trying to raise money to bury the last of the majority of their unlucky counterparts who died of botulism served in a bouillabaisse. The five survivors sing and dance and generally charm the audience in order to achieve this goal. Each sister has a definitive name and personality that fits both (like Sister Mary Amnesia who, guess what, forgot who she is or how she arrived at the convent). I didn’t even recognize Pilar Saavedra-Vela as sister Mary Amnesia because she was so entirely immersed in her character not to mention her wimple. The same can be said for the rest of the small, seemingly tireless cast as they sang and danced their way through about 30 songs with enthusiasm and good voices. Some of the songs are irreverent, some are very funny, as are some of the “dramatic’ scenes, especially the one in which Mother Superior (Stacy Chamblin) happens to sniff some “Rush.” What a giggle! |
Sunday’s performance was a great fundraising success for the
nonpartisan voter registration and the opportunity for U.S. voters who
have not received their ballots, to cast their votes Sept. 27 at
the
Holiday Inn, third floor. Besides Pat and Willy, a representative
from
the U.S. Embassy will be there to answer questions and mail the ballots
at the embassy. So I am
going to vote on Sept. 27, just in case my request for a ballot is
hiding somewhere in my purse, too and never made it to the post office. |
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FBI agents visit here to
provide training in sex crimes against children
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By Elise Sonray
of the A.M. Costa Rica staff Costa Rica seems to be a sex predator's paradise, according to one FBI agent, who said 80 percent of the predators he sees chose Costa Rica over other Latin American countries. That's probably why the director of the Judicial Investigating Organization recently asked for some help. Seven FBI agents who specialize in child sex crimes arrived in Costa Rica early this week to help train more than 50 Costa Rican judicial agents and police officers in handling cases. The event which is the first of it's kind was focused on sex crimes against children. The event was a great success, said Dan Fuentes, the FBI's legal attaché in Panamá. After Jorge Rojas, the Costa Rican judicial director, requested the program, the U.S. Embassy, FBI, and Costa Rican officials worked together to organize it, said representatives at the conference. Child sex crimes are a problem worldwide, said Fuentes, who added he didn't know the specifics for Costa Rica. The FBI agent based in Miami who said, “Everyone comes to Costa Rica,” later asked that his name not be used and that the “80 percent” of predators he mentioned were only what he had seen in his personal experience. The agent, who said he'd been in the FBI 17 years, named Costa Rica |
as the
Latin American country with the most child predator cases, then the
Dominican Republic and then México. But with a reputation for
lax laws, a flawed immigration system and sex
criminals who've managed to avoid international capture for years, it's
not a big surprise predators want to come to Costa Rica. In 2005 the FBI ran a fake web site called Costa Rica Taboo Vacations. The site offered vacations to potential visitors who wanted “taboo” companions, including children under the age of 12 years old. Many people who signed up and paid for the trips were later arrested in a move critics argue was entrapment. The former FBI Web site, costaricataboovacations.com, now lists advertisements for Costa Rican hotels and tours, including one ad entitled “Wild Sex in Costa Rica,” linking to a Web page advertising a book of one man's experiences with women and prostitution in Costa Rica. “The locations of the bars, brothels and massage parlors where an adventurous guy will find the action he craves. The best places to go to find escorts,” states the Web Page describing the book. FBI agents at the conference said they could not comment on whether legal prostitution encourages child sex abuse, but that no matter what the law is in a foreign country, it is illegal for U.S. citizens to have sex with minors overseas. |
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U.S.and Bolivia kicking out
each other's ambassadors over unrest
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By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
and wire service reports The United States and Bolivia are kicking out each other's ambassadors. The U.S. State Department confirmed Thursday that Bolivia's foreign minister, David Choquehuanca, informed Ambassador Philip Goldberg that President Evo Morales had ordered him declared persona non grata. That was at a meeting Wednesday night. Later Thursday, citing what it called the unwarranted and baseless action by Bolivia, the State Department announced that Gustavo Guzmán, Bolivia's ambassador in the United States, would be asked to leave. Morales accused Goldberg of instigating protests against the South American country. Relations between the United States and Bolivia are already strained. Bolivia has accused the United States of meddling in its internal affairs. Last year, Bolivia accused Ambassador Goldberg of trying to overthrow the government. The U.S. denied the allegation. The latest development coincided with an attack by Bolivian anti-government protesters on a natural gas pipeline in the southern state of Tarija. Bolivian energy officials say the attack forced a 10 percent cut in exports to neighboring Brazil. The Brazilian energy ministry, however, says the gas flow remains normal. The head of the Bolivian state energy company, Santos Ramirez, said gas exports to Brazil have been reduced by |
about three million cubic meters due
to what he described as a "terrorist act" against the pipeline. He said the government will need about three weeks to fix the pipeline. Brazil depends on Bolivia for half of its natural gas, receiving about 30 million cubic meters a day. Bolivia has the second largest natural gas reserves in South America after Venezuela. The United States also said that Tuesday the Bolivian Government failed to address security threats to U.S. counternarcotics operations in the Chapare, which caused the withdrawal of Drug Enforcement Administration personnel. The central Bolivian province is a major coca producing area and Morales is a leader of coca farmers. Said the U.S. State Department: "President Morales’ action is a grave error that has seriously damaged the bilateral relationship. The United States is the largest single country provider of development assistance to Bolivia, is Bolivia’s largest export market, and is the major provider of counternarcotics assistance. "Our relationship has deep, historical roots, and benefits the peoples of both our countries. We regret that President Morales has chosen this course. It will prejudice the interests of both countries, undermine the ongoing fight against drug-trafficking, and will have serious regional implications." Opposition groups in Bolivia's oil-rich eastern provinces began a series of large-scale demonstrations last month to protest the president's plans to redistribute natural gas revenues to the poor. His opponents also are concerned about his plans to write a new constitution. |
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| Our readers'
opinions: Crime, child custody, living here |
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should learn Spanish Dear A.M. Costa Rica: I have been coming to Costa Rica since 1983 and have spent time throughout the different parts of the country. I have lived in Desamparados, a somewhat blue-collar working class suburb, and have had a luxury home, 5 kilometers north of Alajuela with a mirador view. Now my wife and son have a small apartment in la Uruca, a very industrial barrio, but they are comfortable there as am I when I am visiting them. I mention this as background because as I have been reading this past weeks letters about crime in Costa Rica, I have thought often of my experiences. I, too, feel that Costa Rica is becoming more violent, the drug and street people problem worsening, illegal immigration is out of control BUT while this is true in Costa Rica, it is as bad or perhaps worse in Jacksonville, Florida, where I am when I am in the States. The same problems with the same causes and results. Life is becoming more difficult. With all of this said, I must say I have never had a crime committed against me in Costa Rica. Whether it be in San José, Desamparados, Alajuela, or either coast. I have been downtown after a bit too much to drink, as well as alone in my home on the side of Poás with the view of the Central Valley. I have traveled by public buses to the beaches and Monteverde as well as taxis, and even been stopped by the infamous tránsito while driving my car. After showing him my Florida license and passport, I explained in Spanish to the officer that I was returning to Florida to live again but my family couldn't come with me so we were enjoying a last day together in the hills outside of Cartago.
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This is a wonderful country but like all over the world today the sense of respect for others seems to be a thing of the past. I recommend to all expats who come to Costa Rica to learn Spanish and respect the Tico culture. Think when you are out on the streets as well as in your home. And above all, be happy Patrick Mach
St Augustine Florida and la Uruca Kids need both parents not dose of gender bias Dear A.M. Costa Rica: The article "High court suspends extradition of Ms. Tomayko," has it all: False allegations, parental alienation, child abduction, international inaction... Noncustodial dads get the shaft in divorce and custody court the world over. So it is no surprise, as your subheadline says, "Public agencies support her." I guess it would be bigger news if the public agencies didn't support Chere Lyn Tomayko, such is the magnitude of discrimination against men. Ms. Tomayko was living in Costa Rica with the full knowledge of U.S. Embassy officials. They delayed arresting the alienating mother until the abducted daughter turned 18 and would no longer be returned to her dad. Now her extradition is suspended. And Roger Cyprian faced the illogical axiom 'guilty until proven innocent.' His older daughter said she was an eyewitness to the three-year period when her dad allegedly was abusing Ms. Tomayko. She said her parents had almost no contact because they were not living together. It is not just men who suffer from the gender bias in the 'justice' system. Father-hungry children are routinely deprived of contact with loving dads. Laws need to be changed — and enforced. Kids do not need malicious mothers who thwart a relationship with fit fathers. Children need both parents! Don Mathis
Sherman, Texas EDITOR'S NOTE: Mr. Sherman produces a newsletter for noncustodial parents. Mr. Cyprian had joint custody when Ms. Tomayko fled to Costa Rica in 1997 with her daughter. Judicial action needed to solve crime problem Dear A.M. Costa Rica: Tom Roucek's letter regarding curtailing crime is right on the money. If the judicial powers truly wanted to take a giant step in this they would implement these simple changes. For one, throwing a man out of his home that he pays for just because of so-called "verbal abuse" toward his live-in girlfriend is ludicrous. Under what conditions, if any, do they remove the girlfriend who lives off this guy? What about her verbally abusing him? Also, putting criminals back on the street because the jails are full is no logical answer and certainly encouraging to criminal behavior. It makes a laughingstock out of law enforcement. Criminals must be taught that "if you can't do the time, don't do the crime." If the jails are full, start making room by letting out those who don't deserve to be there in the first place. Beyond that, how about supervised work for petty thieves for appropriate time frames, like picking up trash along the roads dumped by stupid morons? If they don't show up, then overcrowded jail time for them. Something has to be done, and the changes necessary are cost-effective. Also, a good hard look at how the government so often wastes money on nothing (e.g. paying large salaries to lazy friends or relatives of politicians to do nothing but sit around feeling important) rather than paying police officers respectable wages, is in order. Barry Schwartz
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