Ciro Cassa Comes Home Denies Nayor As His Friend; Brother Kevin Calls Salvadorian President
Ciro Casas Zamora, brother of Costa Rica's vice-president Kevin Casas, and tied to drug lord George Nayor, returned to Costa Rica yesterday, but refused to talk to the press, saying that he was sick and needed bed rest, according to his wife, Elda Zúñiga Valenciano.

As announced by the Casa family, Ciro had not disappeared, he was in Colombia, arriving on a Copa Airlines flight from Bogotá Tuesday night.

Prior to his arrival, brother Kevin told the media that Ciro would be giving a full explanation of his relationship with Nayor, but that was not the case.

Ciro's wife hinted that her husband may be well enough today (Thursday) but could not say for sure. "Please I want you to understand me, he suffers from high blood pressure and needs to rest according to his doctor. His intention was to give a statement, but due to his health he could not. We will let you know the time and date we can do so", said Elda.

In a press release yesterday, Casas says: "During the last several days, like many Costa Ricans I left the country for business. Outside the country I learned that my name was mentioned in various news media. Like every head of the family I am happy to be with my wife, children and family...", signed by Dr. Ciro Casas. In the press release no mention was made of his alleged ties to George Nayor.

Talking to noon edition of local channel 6 news, Repretel, Ciro Casas, said "I had not gone missing and this man - George Nayor - is not my friend". However, he did not touch the subject of his relation to his brother, the vice-president, Kevin Casas, and why he would make an incorrect statement to the press.

Ciro resufed to discuss family business, saying it is a private matter and assures that he has no relation, business or personal with Nayor and that he guarantees that he is handling the alleged us$15 million dollar bank account for Nayor nor any other client of his law firm.

Ciro admits, however, that Nayor was in Costa Rica and did come by to visit him at his office on his birthday, saying that he can't be rude to anyone who visits him to wish him a birthday greeting.

In the meantime, vice-president Casas is reported to have personally called El Salvador's president, Antonio Saca, to offer his apologies in this controversial case.

Nayor, along with being accused of drug trafficking, is suspected of being part of a plot to assassinate the Salvadorian president.

"On my return from a private visit to the United States, I received a call from vice-president Casas who expressed his concern for my security and to clear up the Nayor situation", said Saca.

Saca assures that the relationship of vice-president Casas brother with Nayor does not affect the relationship between the two countries.