The Tico Times Online Daily Page

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, August 27, 2003

BIG GUNS, BIG WORRIES: C.A. security leaders meet to discuss U.S.' concerns over lack of arms control on isthmus, and the large number of surface-to-air rockets in circulation.
AFP/TT

Government Tries to
Overturn Shrimp Embargo
Ligia Castro, president of the Costa Rican Fishing Institute (INCOPESCA), yesterday challenged the U.S. embargo on Costa Rican shrimp and announced a series of measures the government will take to overturn a recent desertification.
(Click for more)

Obsessed Family Friend
Murders Young Girl
Tragedy struck the northern San José district of La Cruz de El Carmen de Goicoecha Monday morning, when 11-year-old Miurel Camacho was murdered in her own house by a close family friend, who allegedly had fallen in love with her and was jealous of her male friend.
(Click for more)

C.A. Arms Control Eyed
San Salvador (AFP) -- Representatives of Central American Security and Defense Ministries met in the Salvadoran capital yesterday to discuss arms control, following the U.S.' expressed concern over the number of surface-to-air rockets
and missiles in circulation throughout the isthmus.
(Click for more)

August 27

LTG Gala Theater and Dinner
The Little Theatre Group presents "Any Friend of Percy D’Angelino is a Friend of Mine" as its gala season opening for one weekend only at the Blanche Brown Theater in Bello Horizonte.

Starring veteran actors Lisa deFuso, Tim Hawkins and Tom Humes, the comedy is part of a series of plays called the "mafia plays" or "Men in Suits," and is directed by Liz Howard.

The production got standing ovations in its out-of-town presentations in Jacó and Manuel Antonio.

Curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 30 and again at 2:30 p.m., on Sunday, August 31 with a light pasta meal (in keeping with the Italian theme) and a cash bar immediately afterwards.

The theater is 200 m. south of the first entrance to Bello Horizonte (above the Los Anonos Bridge) and 250 m east, behind the pink house on the right.

Tickets are ¢6,000 and include the show, the meal and one free drink. Reserve today at 289-3910, (reservations are a must).

Dancing the Arts
Don’t miss the show Amighetti, a combination of dance, music and visual arts. Artists, dancers and musicians of the School of Fine Arts of the University of Costa Rica and the Michigan University. The presentation is at 7:30 p.m., at the Eugene O’Neill Theater, C.R.-North American Cultural Center, Barrio Dent. Info: 207-4271.

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Government Tries to
Overturn Shrimp Embargo
By Fabián Borges
fborges@ticotimes.net

Ligia Castro, president of the Costa Rican Fishing Institute (INCOPESCA), yesterday challenged the U.S. embargo on Costa Rican shrimp and announced a series of measures the government will take to overturn a recent desertification.

On Aug. 19, U.S. State Department moved to decertify --or embargo -- Costa Rican shrimp, because local fleets had failed to use Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) to help reduce the number of sea turtles caught in their nets (TT, Aug. 22).

Castro, however, argued that there were irregularities in the U.S. inspection of Tico fishing practices.

"In June, the U.S. sent inspectors to evaluate the country's fishing fleet, but the inspection methodology they followed was incorrect," Castro said. "We are asking the U.S. to send another group of inspectors to verify that we are complying with regulations to protect turtles."

Castro announced that a special commission of INCOPESCA and government ministries has been formed to try to persuade the U.S. to reverse its decision.

Castro claimed that the fishing vessels reviewed by the U.S. inspectors did not have TEDs installed on them because they were docked for repairs.

"We have laws that require this equipment function properly when the boats go out to sea. However, these laws don't apply to when ships are docked. It's unnecessary for inactive boats to have to have all of their equipment functioning," she said.

INCOPESCA has informed the U.S. of this legal technicality and announced the country is willing to create dock regulations if necessary.

In addition to efforts to regain certification, the Science and Technology Ministry, various environmental groups and shrimp fishing companies will fund research to define the proper use of TEDs and decide which form of the device is best suited for use in Costa Rican waters.

"We need to define which type of turtle-tracking device will allow fishermen to capture as many fish and shrimp as possible, while still providing strong protection for sea turtles," Science and Technology Minister Fernando Gutiérrez said.

"This issue is important for many reasons," President Abel Pacheco agreed. "We're not only interested in selling shrimp; protecting the environment and saving endangered species are two of the country's most important goals."

In relation to this, Central America and Taiwan last week signed an agreement to protect marine life. The agreement will lead to a crack down on the unregulated local shark fin industry, Pacheco said (TT, June 13, July 11, 18, 25, Aug. 1, 8, 15).

"The Taiwanese government committed itself to punishing all those who commit these acts," he said. "INCOPESCA and the Taiwanese Deep-Sea Fishing Organization will work together to monitor cargo unloaded at the country's docks and make sure no protected wildlife is being smuggled."

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Obsessed Family Friend
Murders Young Girl
By Fabián Borges
Tico Times Staff and Local News Reports

Tragedy struck the northern San José district of La Cruz de El Carmen de Goicoecha Monday morning, when 11-year-old Miurel Camacho was murdered in her own house by a close family friend, who allegedly had fallen in love with her and was jealous of her male friend.

The suspect, a 54-year-old man identified by the last name Hernández, but known as "Changa," lived in a shack 75 meters from Miurel's house. He worked as a gardener and a construction worker. He reportedly was very close to the family.

"He gave Miurel expensive presents, like a Nintendo, a bicycle and clothes," family member Karol Segura said. "One time, he gave her ¢3,000 ($7.50) to go to a fair."

Last Friday afternoon, Miurel met up with a 13-year-old male friend and greeted him typically, with a kiss on the cheek.

Hernández reportedly saw what happened and lost control. He attacked the boy, grabbing him by the neck. Several neighbors intervened and separated the two. The incident was not reported to the police.

Miurel reportedly avoided Hernández for the rest of the weekend. On Sunday, Hernández reportedly asked his neighbor Víctor Manuel Segura for some poison.

"He didn't say what kind he wanted, he just told me to get him some chemicals," Segura said. "Then he said he was going to poison himself. I had warned Miurel's parents that he was obsessed, but I never thought he was capable of doing something like this."

At around 7 a.m. Monday, Hernández visited Miurel's house. Her mother, Verónica Cantillano, was at a doctor's appointment and her father, Daniel Camacho, was on his way to work at a construction site. Miurel and her 7-year-old brother were the only ones in the house. Hernández reportedly sent the brother to buy bread and was left alone with the girl.

Hernández allegedly then used a knife to stab her in the neck.

Neighbor Kattia Calderón said she heard Miurel scream. She ran into the house, found the girl lying on the kitchen floor and called the police.

By then, Hernández had fled to the nearby hills. Shortly after the murder, he drank the poison, which wasn't strong enough to kill him but made him sick. Police chased him for about three hours before finally arresting him near the El Carmen Church at approximately 10 a.m.

Hernández spent the night at Calderón Guardia Hospital, where he had his stomach pumped, before being transferred to protective custody.

During Tuesday's weekly Cabinet meeting, President Abel Pacheco and Security Minister Rogelio Ramos vowed to continue to crack down on child molesters and pedophiles.

"I am deeply hurt by this," Pacheco said. "Costa Rica is sick, this wave of violence against the weak and innocent must stop. We've lost our values. We must reflect on this and pray."

Pacheco promised to continue to pressure Congress to pass the Kattia and Osvaldo Law, a bill named after two recent victims of child abductions, violence and murder, which would impose a strict zero-tolerance policy against those who attack children (TT, July 4, 11, 18).

"I know the punitive aspect won't solve the issue and increasing the punishment won't stop these tragedies from happening," Pacheco said. "However, we have to do something while we educate parents to take better care of their children. We must impose effective forms of punishment against those who hurt our children.

"I sent the bill to Congress and received the support of all the deputies," the President added. "It's up to them to pass it now."

Ramos again stressed the importance of prevention and the need for parents to make sure they "know where their children are and who they are with at all times."

"In this case and other recent incidents, the deeds were committed by people close to the family," Ramos said. "The parents allowed these individuals to come into contact with the children. The country urgently needs a campaign to educate parents on the warning signs of pedophile activity."

"We have investigated several cases through the special child welfare hotline (TT Daily, Aug. 8) but if the offender is a friend of the family and no one denounces his actions, there's nothing police can do," he argued. "It's up to parents to recognize the warning signs."

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C.A. Arms Control Eyed

San Salvador (AFP) -- Representatives of Central American Security and Defense Ministries met in the Salvadoran capital yesterday to discuss arms control, following the U.S.' expressed concern over the number of surface-to-air rockets and missiles in circulation throughout the isthmus.

According to Central American Integration System (SICA) secretary general Oscar Santamaría, the two-day meeting also is focusing on ways to achieve a reasonable balance of security forces, while strengthening stability, confidence and mutual respect in the region.

The summit is being held at the request of the United States, which last month expressed its concern about the number of weapons -- especially rockets -- left over in Central America from the wars of the '80s.

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