Country Mourns Congressman’s Death

MANAGUA – Nicaraguans of allpolitical persuasions joined this week inmourning the sudden death of LiberalConstitutional Party congressman PedroJoaquín Ríos, a leading supporter of formerPresident Arnoldo Alemán and advocatefor efforts to pardon the embattledLiberal party boss of his 20-year jail sentencefor money-laundering, fraud,embezzlement and misuse of public funds(TT, Dec. 12).Ríos, a 58-year-old veterinarian turned-congressman, died of a heart attackSaturday morning while at his homeranch in the northern department ofMatagalpa. The deputy reportedly hadexperienced shortness of breath and chestpains, for which his wife of 36 years,Yadira Roque, urged him to seek medicalattention Friday afternoon in the hospitalin nearby Estelí.Ríos was treated and released fromthe hospital, but the pains reportedlyincreased throughout the night, requiringthe congressman to be transported byambulance to Managua’s private HospitalBautista.Ríos, who reportedly had a history ofcardiac problems, did not make it to thehospital alive.Congress held a special homage forRíos on Sunday morning, during whichfellow deputies remembered him as adedicated and oftentimes animated publicservant.His funeral was held in ManaguaSunday afternoon, after which his bodywas transported back to his hometownMatiguás, Matagalpa, for burial.Ríos is survived by his wife and fourgrown children. He will be replaced incongress by designated substitute deputyElvin Pineda.