Colombian Drug Cartel Leader Tied To Costa Rican VP?
Costa Rica Vice-president, Kevin Casas, has to defend himself for his brother's relationship with George Nayor, who is allegedly the head of the Medellín drug cartel and who is currently in the hands of U.S. authorities.

Nayor has been detained for drug trafficking and tied to an assassination attempt of the president of El Salvador.

Casas was quick to come out publicly to detail his relationship with Nayor, saying that he met the man briefly at the house of his brother who was celebrating his 50th birthday in August. Casas also dispelled rumours that his brother had gone missing since the arrest of Nayor, adding that his brother is currently in Colombia and is expected to return to Costa Rica today (Wednesday) to explain his connection to Nayor.

Casas added that he will not be involved in the investigation of Ciro Casas that the police is currently conducting.

The Dirección de Migración y Extranjería (immigration service) confirmed that Nayor visited Costa Rica on 11 occasions, using a false Honduran passport in the name of Jorge Julio Mayorga Ramos.

The vice-president said, that he was introduced to the man as George Nayor, notwithstanding the immigration records.

The last visit of Nayor to Costa Rica coincides with dates given by the vice-president which was mid-August when his brother celebrated his birthday with family and friends and was currently under investigation for the attempted muder of El Salvador's president, Antonio Saca.

Nayor was arrested three weeks following his last visit to Costa Rica, however, the arrest was made public only days ago. Nayor had in his possession a rocket and was in negotiations in Nicaragua to purchase 2 SAM-7 missiles.

The investigation in Costa Rica will focus on the ties Nayor had to the vice-president, as well as a financial investigation that is looking for us$15 million dollars that Nayor is supposed to have invested in Costa Rica.

When arrested, Nayor has in his possession a rocket and was allegedly in negotiations in Nicaragua to purchase 2 SAM missiles.

For vice-president Casas,  the problems are just beginning.

Bienvenido Venegas and other members of the Comisión de Narcotráfico (drug trafficking commission) are suggesting - for now - that the vice-president explain to the legislators the ties of his brother to Nayor.

Venegas, member of the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUS), assured yesterday that he will present a motion to the commission today that the vice-president be called to testity.

"Being that the brother of the vice-president of the Republic is tied to one of the principals in the charges published yesterday (the detention of Nayor), I consider it important that he comes before the commission and in an act of transparency he strengthens his credibility", said Venegas.

For his part, president Oscar Arias, has played down the situation, saying that he confides in Casas and his prompt action to go public following the news of his brother's ties to Nayor.

Other legislators were quoted on national television news that one cannot know the ties and business dealings of family members.