Juan José Palacios Rivera is not even close to having a high criminal profile. He is not a murderer, he is not linked with drug trafficking organizations, or with violent crimes. However, in a matter of three weeks he managed to evade his arrest twice.
Palacios, a Nicaraguan national, was imprisoned in March 2016 and sentenced for robbery. His time in prison would end in May 2019. However, in the last few days he tried to escape several times from the Comprehensive Care Center (CAI) Gerardo Chavarría, in San Rafael de Alajuela, also known as the prison of Virilla.
The first escape took place on June 29th, when he used his opportunity in the kitchen – which he earned with his good behavior- of the penal center and fled by jumping into the canyon of the Virilla River.
After several days as a fugitive, he was arrested on July 1st at the Paso Canoas border post. Apparently, he intended to leave for Panama.
The story’s new chapter began this Sunday. The foreigner used his time in San Rafael Hospital –where he was being treated for a hand infection-, to escape while he was in a bathroom, apparently, through the ceiling.
The authorities explained that, after being recaptured at the beginning of July, he tried to escape more than once. Therefore, they had prepared a space of greater containment for him in La Reforma, but he still managed to escape again.
Pablo Bertozzi, director of the Policía Penitenciaria del Ministerio de Justicia, confirmed that at 8:00 am on Monday they had not managed to find Palacios. In addition, they alerted Interpol in case he left for another country.
But why does he keep trying to escape? Authorities suspect that the socio-political conflict in Nicaragua made Palacios anxious, he repeatedly expressed his concern for the well-being of his family.
If they find him, the escapes could translate into two more years in prison.