Venezuelan Union Leader
Protected in C.R. Embassy
CARACAS (AFP) -- Venezuelan union leader Carlos Ortega, who last month started the 63-day general strike against the government of Hugo Chavez, is being protected by the Costa Rican Embassy in Caracas and expected to ask the Tico government for political asylum in Costa Rica.
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Stauffer's Media Blitz Bearing Fruit
With four days to go before Thursday's deadline to indict the murder suspects implicated in the May 2001 stabbing death of University of Kansas student Shannon Martin, mother Jeanette Stauffer's Costa Rican media blitz showed signs of bearing fruit last Friday, when investigators reportedly received an early morning phone call from an unidentified source providing new information in the 22-month-old case.
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Tico Fisherman Saved at Sea
Tico fisherman Ronald Herrera, a 32-year-old native of the Pacific port town of Puntarenas, is back safely in Costa Rica today, after being rescued from his boat by a U.S. helicopter from the U.S.S. Connin, according to a Security Ministry press release.
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Whiffenpoofs Concert
The group will delight the public at 7:30 p.m. at the restaurant of the Union Club, in front of the Central Post Office, San Jose. The Union Club facilities will be open to the public for this event, and there will be no entrance or cover charge. Reserve a table by calling Vera Soto, Public Relations Manager at 257-1555.

Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration
At Jazz Café, San Pedro, with the presentation of Peregrino Gris performing Celtic music and a Show by Bernal Monestel. Also "happy hour" of beer, 6-9 p.m. Concert at 10 p.m. Info: 253-8933.

Prayer Flags
Eight-meter long paintings by artist Cali Rivera hang outside Children’s Museum, Ca. 4, Av. 9, 258-4929.

Venezuelan Union Leader
Protected in C.R. Embassy

Ortega marches at beginning of 63-day strike AFP/TT

CARACAS (AFP) -- Venezuelan union leader Carlos Ortega, who last month started the 63-day general strike against the government of Hugo Chavez, is being protected by the Costa Rican Embassy in Caracas and expected to ask the Tico government for political asylum in Costa Rica.

Considered a fugitive from Venezuelan law, Ortega has been inside the Costa Rican Embassy since last Thursday, when he went in claiming that his life was in danger. He was granted political asylum on Friday, but has not yet asked for asylum in Costa Rica.

Ortega's lawyer, Omar Estacio, said his client has been meeting with other Venezuelan union leaders inside the Costa Rican Embassy and discussing all his legal options before requesting asylum in Costa Rica.

"He has several alternatives, and we need to evaluate all of them to chose the one that is the most convenient," Estacio said.

Until a decision is made whether to seek asylum in another country, Ortega reportedly will continue head of the country's largest workers' union, CTV.

Stauffer's Media Blitz Bearing Fruit
By Tim Rogers
trogers@ticotimes.net

Stauffer with reporters on Friday TT/ Scott Brennan

With four days to go before Thursday's deadline to indict the murder suspects implicated in the May 2001 stabbing death of University of Kansas student Shannon Martin, mother Jeanette Stauffer's Costa Rican media blitz showed signs of bearing fruit last Friday, when investigators reportedly received an early morning phone call from an unidentified source providing new information in the 22-month-old case.

The new information came in response to Stauffer's emotional televised plea Thursday night for a taxi driver witness to come forward with testimony (TT, March 14).

Details about the new lead are not being released to the press due to the sensitive nature of the investigation. But Stauffer, who was privied to the information, thinks it could help in an investigation that has offered little to cheer about during the last year.

"The new evidence based on my pleas make me hope that there will be an indictment by next Thursday," Stauffer said.

Her appearance on the Channel 6 and 7 TV nightly news also prompted a new interest in case by Costa Rica's print and radio media. After being briefed by the Judicial Investigative Police (OIJ), Stauffer gave a press conference Friday afternoon and delivered a prepared statement translated into Spanish by police translators.

Originally hesitant about Stauffer's media campaign idea, the OIJ apparently recognized the benefits of her televised appeal for justice the night before, and allowed her to release the name of the taxi driver being sought for information.

"I am pleading with the taxi driver, whose name is Esteban Madriz Acuña, to please come forward," Stauffer said to the flashing of cameras and scribbling of reporters. "My heart goes out to him and his family. I know it is a very difficult position for him to be in. I am sure he is concerned about protecting his family from harm, yet I am pleading with him to come forward to provide information about the two murder suspects."

Stauffer repeated that there was a $10,000 reward available for information leading to an arrest and conviction, and gave reporters the OIJ's 24-hour phone numbers to call with information.

Following her prepared speech, the bereaved mother fielded reporters' questions and showed photographs of Shannon, speaking fondly of her slain daughter' s love of animals, nature and Costa Rica. Stauffer is currently trying to open an English school in Golfito, in memory of her daughter's love of the town.

At Stauffer's request, the OIJ this morning provided transportation to take her to the southern Pacific Port town of Golfito to meet with head Prosecutor Erick Martínez to discuss recent developments in the case.

Martin, a 23-year-old biology student at KU, was stabbed to death in Golfito May 13, 2001, one week before she was scheduled to graduate with honors alongside her sister Sheri.

Primary suspect Katia Cruz, 28, has been held in preventive custody since November 2001. Under Costa Rican law, if she is not formally indicted for murder by next Thursday, she will be released from the women's prison.

Two other male suspects have also been fingered in the stabbing death. Cruz's former boyfriend, Alberto Castro, 38 -- known as "Caballo" -- was arrested last July but released on conditional freedom five months later. Rafael Zumbado, a 47-year-old known as "Coco," was arrested and released along with Castro. Zumbado however was later arrested for his alleged involvement in a separate murder, and is being held under preventive custody.

Prosecutor Martínez said Thursday that Zumbado had been released for the second murder, but OIJ officials said Friday that he is still in jail.

Stauffer, meanwhile, hopes the last minute media blitz is able to salvage an otherwise weak case as the buzzer clock counts down the remains hours.

"Our family has not only gone through the intense pain from losing Shannon, but the long, drawn-out investigation continues to effect our emotional stability," she told reporters.