City seizes regional aircraft in Nicaragua

[Panama Jack]

See this article (in Spanish) from today's paper La Prensa here (http://www-ni.laprensa.com.ni/nacionales/nacionales-20031114-07.html) . Waspam is in northeastern Nicaragua-- along the Rio Coco (a.k.a. Rio Segovia or Rio Wanki)that forms the border with Honduras.

Very basically translated:

Yesterday at noon a group of people, organized by the mayor of Waspam, José Osorno, blocked the takeoff of Cessna Caravan, registration YN-CEQ, owned and operated by the regional airline La Costeña and enroute to Managua.

After the aircraft landed and the passengers disembarked, the group blocked the runway at Waspam with trucks, buses and light vehicles so that the aircraft could not take-off.

The decision to block the flight was approved by 10 aldermen to pressure the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Pedro Solórzano, to whom they've demanded the repair of the highway that connects the Northern Autonomous Atlantic Region (RAAN) with the Pacific.

"We stopped the aircraft and we'll release it as soon as a commision from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MTI) arrives, until then, we will continue with the series of protests that we have planned, and they will become more energetic every day," said Osorno.

"The police will guard the aircraft and the pilots. Our people understand that we will not use any violence in our protests," he added.

The passengers travelling on this flight to Managua had to return home, some of them expressing anger whilst others were agreement with the necesity that the Government provides an answer immediately to the problem with the highway that connects the community to Puerto Cabezas, whose 145 kilometers are completely unusable.

[Panama Jack]

The situation continues, with frankly no resolution in sight.

Complete article in Spanish:
Pilotos de La Costeña se sienten secuestrados (http://www-ni.laprensa.com.ni/archivo/2003/noviembre/15/nacionales/nacionales-20031115-09.html)


Rough translation (summary):

Waspam. - Even though well cared for, pilots Fernando Calange and Miguel Roa feel they are kidnapped since their La Costeña aircraft was seized on Thursday by the residents and authorities of this community, in demand that the Government repairs the highway.

During an interview with LA PRENSA, the pilots related their concerns about their situation. "The actions taken by Mayor José Osorno was wrong, he spoke with Julio Caballero and promised him that he wouldn't detain the aircraft, nevertheless, that is what they did and now we find ourselves in the middle of a situation which we have nothing to do with", said Calange, the Captain of the aircraft.

"We came confident that the flight would be conducted in a normal manner, but we were shocked to se the vehicles when they took to the runway seconds after we landed."

THEY ARE IN CONTACT WITH THEIR FAMILIES

Miguel Roa, co-pilot, indicated that his family is calm, however we are still concerned that we've been detained for two days. He expressed "we hope that they will let us take-off as soon as possible, we have nothing to do with this problem."

The La Costeña pilots only have the clothes that they are wearing, and with the little money they had they bought toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, slippers, shaving razor and a T-shirt.

The seized aircraft is being guarded by the National Police, however they are worried that they will not be able to start the engines.

The two La Costeña crewmembers sleep in one of the best accomidations in Waspam, but they feel like they have been kidnapped. "I don't feel relaxed, although they have done nothing to us, I feel I have been detained, I'm not allowed to leave here," complained Roa.

PARISH PRIEST SUPPORTS SEIZURE OF AIRPLANE

Mayor José Osorno assured that nobody would touch the two pilots. "We are offering them safety, food and creature comforts and, most importantly, nobody touches them." Nevertheless, he said that the airplane would not take-off until the arrival of a commision from the central government.

The parish priest of Waspam, Father Floriano Vargas, supported the holding of the airplane so long as there is no firm position from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MTI) and the central government.

THREATEN TO ARM THEMSELVES

Meanwhile, natives from the communities of Saupuka and Ulwas threatened yesterday to arm themselves, if there is no response from the MTI.

Nevertheless, this action was not backed by the negotiating committee or the authorities, who said that all actions will be peaceful.

[B Sousa]

Welcome to the Third World......

[Panama Jack]

Well, looks like it's all over.

Here is the link to the La Prensa article for Nov 16, 2003:

Alcalde de Waspam libera avioneta de La Costeña (http://www.laprensa.com.ni/nacionales/nacionales-20031116-08.html)

Rough translation:

The passenger airplane owned by La Costeña, detained in Waspam, North Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAN) since last Thursday was let free yesterday afternoon. The aircraft, crew and passengers landed at the Managua Airport at 2:30 pm. The pilotos looked worn down, and unmaintained in physical appearance.

The retention of the Cessna aircraft and it's crew was ordered by the mayor of Waspam, José Osorno, as a way to pressure the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MTI) into repairing the 120 kilometers of highway that find themselves in horrible condition.

The General Manager of La Costeña, Julio Caballero, said that they would not file charges for the seizure of the aircraft, however, they ask the group for compesation due to the losses incurred when the the aircraft was over 72 hours on the ground.

The owner of the airline, Alfredo Caballero, has estimated losses of 40,000 córdobas (approximately $2600 USD) per day for the seizure of the aircraft

"I believe it is the right of the citizens to protest something that they feel is not right. Nevertheless, when their methods affect a third party, it is a violation of private property," expressed Julio Caballero.

Although the pilots did not suffer any type of physical agression or threat, they feel that their "rights have been hurt" and will press charges "to set a precident and so that these types of actions won't be repeated."


SOLÓRZANO ARRIVES TOMORROW

A commision from the MTI, headed by it's head, Pedro Solórzano, will travel tomorrow to Waspam to discuss with the authorities of the area their demands to repair the 120 kilometers of highway, that has provoked strong protests in the region, including the seizure of the La Costeña airplane.

Although he said that he doesn't fear that he will be kidnapped with his committee, he declared that he is making the necessary coordinations with the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Ministerio de Gobernación) to avoid a situation similar to that of the aircraft.


IT MADE NO SENSE

Fernando Calonge, pilot of the seized aircraft, said that when they arrived in Waspam they awaited various people with health problems.

The most relevent case was of the child, Bert'n Escobar Bob, victim of a snake bite by a Barba Amarilla (Fer-de-Lance). "We asked the mayor to let us depart with the sick passengers, but he did not want to let us go."

Mar'a José Gutiérrez awaited to fly to Managua for hepatitis treatment. The seizing of the flight delayed her trip, putting her life in danger.

There was another gentleman, who's name could not be confirmed, who was victim of an antipersonnel mine. He could not travel either to seek medical treatment.

FLIGHTS SUSPENDED

La Costeña's commercial flight to Waspam remain suspended since yesterday. According to General Manager, Julio Caballero, the flights will not resume until they have a total assurance that the events of this week will not be repeated.

DECLARATION OF A REGIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY

The North Atlantic Autonomous Regional Commision declared a regional state of emergency due to the deterioration of the trunk highway routes Mulukukú-Siuna-Rosita-Puerto Cabezas-Waspam-Rosita-Bonanza-El Empalme-Alamikamba-Siuna and Waslala, along with the dock at Puerto Cabezas and the airport runways in this region.

They also demanded that the central government establish the mechanisms to give a permanent solution to the problems of the transportation infrastructure in the RAAN and the presence of their people to negotiate with regional authorities and municipalities.

[Panama Jack]

Looking through the Online version of La Prensa I found a very graphic photo of what the highway looks like in the Atlantic Coast and what these folks mean when they say it is "unusable" :ooh:

http://www-ni.laprensa.com.ni/archivo/2003/noviembre/22/fotor_20031122.jpg


Note: Not all highways are like this in Nicaragua.