Two Venezuelans accused of staging an overthrow of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez in April 2002 have applied for refugee status in Costa Rica, Public Security Minister Fernando Berrocal told the press yesterday.

These former Venezuelan military agents, identified as Néstor González and Henry López, have already presented their requests to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) a necessary step in the process of gaining refugee status, and their case is now being considered by the General Immigration Administration.

When the case has been ruled on, it will be made public by Presidency Minister Rodrigo Arias, Berrocal said.