Costa Rican president orders investigation on attack against US sportfishermen
By APTuesday, August 10, 2010
US sportfishermen attacked off Costa Rica coast
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla has ordered an investigation into charges a Venezuelan tuna seiner attacked a U.S. sportfishing boat in Costa Rican waters.
Chinchilla said Tuesday she ordered the probe after receiving details on the alleged attack outlined in a letter from the Billfish Foundation, a Miami-based anglers group.
The foundation says a Venezuelan flagged tuna purse seiner attacked a U.S. sportfishing boat near Garza, Costa Rica, on Aug. 1.
It says the seiner veered from its course and headed directly toward the U.S. boat while a helicopter dropped incendiary devices prompting the U.S. crew to leave the area.
The foundation says this was the 10th vessel attacked off Costa Rica in the past two years.
