Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 5420 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
QA
YM YI YE

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 09SANJOSE977, COSTA RICA: NICARAGUAN ELECTION CHIEF IN $95K CONTROVERSY

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09SANJOSE977.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09SANJOSE977 2009-12-02 16:04 2011-03-08 16:04 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy San Jose
Appears in these articles:
http://www.nacion.com/2011-03-07/Investigacion/NotasDestacadas/Investigacion2704388.aspx
http://www.nacion.com/2011-03-07/Investigacion/NotaPrincipal/Investigacion2704402.aspx
http://www.nacion.com/2011-03-07/Investigacion/NotasSecundarias/Investigacion2704436.aspx
http://www.nacion.com/2011-03-07/Investigacion/NotasSecundarias/Investigacion2705536.aspx
VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSJ #0977 3361621
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021621Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0079
INFO WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RHEFDHP/DIA DHP-1 WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHMU/AMEMBASSY MANAGUA
UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000977 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL NU CS PINR
SUBJECT: COSTA RICA: NICARAGUAN ELECTION CHIEF IN $95K CONTROVERSY 
 
1. (U) Nicaraguan Supreme Electoral Council president Roberto Rivas 
has caused a stir in Costa Rica for the second time in a month, 
after reports came out on November 26th that he and his family have 
been improperly using duty-free cars with diplomatic license 
plates.  The cars (valued at a combined USD 338,000) are officially 
assigned to the Nicaraguan Embassy, where Rivas' brother Harold 
Rivas is the Ambassador.  Roberto Rivas saved an estimated $95,000 
by importing them duty free.  The Costa Rican MFA confirmed that 
Roberto Rivas and his family are not accredited diplomats in Costa 
Rica, and has said that they will be looking into the matter 
further. 
 
 
 
2. (SBU) This comes almost a month after reports surfaced that 
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's children were living in a USD 
4.4 million condominium complex outside of San Jose owned by Rivas. 
Rivas and his family live between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, where 
they own at least one additional piece of property and a private 
plane which Embassy contacts say makes frequent trips into and out 
of the country. 
 
 
 
3. (SBU) Comment: Embassy sources have told us that there might be 
more to come regarding Roberto Rivas and his activities in Costa 
Rica.  The Nicaraguan public servant has amassed quite a collection 
of high-priced toys is a country where his official immigration 
status is that of a visitor.  While he might have hoped to keep a 
low profile in Costa Rica, good investigative journalism has 
brought to light his questionable choice of tenants and probable 
tax-fraud. 
BRENNAN