Opening of Costa Rica Agricultural Park Attended by Uribe and Arias
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and Costa Rican President Oscar Arias arrived simultaneously by helicopter yesterday to attend the inauguration of Panaca, the first agricultural theme park in the country, located in San Mateo in Alajuela. Panaca, (Parque Nacional de la Cultura Agropecuaria) is a Colombian franchise that aims to preserve agricultural traditions by generating tourist revenue in areas where the land is the livelihood of the people.
Costa Rica News — Farm Animals are the Stars at New Agricultural Theme Park
While this is the first park of its type in Central America, two already exist in Colombia and a third in Mexico. Attendants of the inauguration were able to interact with farm animals, take a ride on ox-pulled carts and sample sugar cane juice, among other activities.
The presidents took a tour of the park accompanied by the Ministry of the Presidency Rodrigo Arias, creator of Panaca Jorge Valey and the general manager of the new park, William Rodriguez. San Jose Mayor Johnny Araya was also in attendance.
President Arias presented a small discourse at the event commending President Uribe on his efforts to end the violence in Colombia, and for his work in the recent return of hostages by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
Uribe then took the stage to denounce the FARC, calling them terrorists and referring to photo evidence that they have tortured the purported 700 hostages that are still being held by the group. He blamed FARC for Colombia’s 35% poverty level, 9.4% unemployment and the 4 million refugees that were forced to seek asylum in other countries.
“The only worry I have is that these are hours that I enjoy very much, however, they are hours I take away from my fundamental duties, to be in the fields of Colombia, with soldiers and police defeating terrorism,” Uribe said in a speech the was paused several times for applause from the audience.
After the quick visit, both presidents departed in their helicopters, and the attendees were left to enjoy the new park.
The other locations of Panaca focus on visitor interaction and they are given the chance to take part in daily farm chores, go on horseback rides, and learn about the farming way of life. The area of Orotina, Costa Rica is well known for its coffee production, which will be a large part of the park’s educational experience. About $22 million was invested in the park, which will be home to thousands of animals, including over 100 horses representing just about ever breed that exists in the country.
| Written by Claire Saylor |  |
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Filed under: Costa Rica News on January 16th, 2008
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Panaca Starts and finishes at the same time in the Horse Arena—In the eyes of many
Last week the newly developing park PANACA of Costa Rica has decided to let go of an instrumental employee responsible for their claim as the largest equine center in the Americas. Panaca contracted Bernardo Zamora as the manager of horse world in August of 2007. He was a logical choice as he was raised with horses the love of horses has been running through his veins from generations past. In addition to his passion for horses, Bernardo Zamora received his education at Zamorano in Honduras and he University of FL, a similar background to that of the founder of Panaca, Jorge Valon and key members of the upper level management.
Panaca contracted Bernardo in August to be in charge of horse world within the Costa Rican Park. Shortly after being contracted and sent to Colombia for training, Bernardo was told he was needed in the United States of America to purchase the majority of Panaca’s collection of horses. Willingly and happily, Bernardo left Costa Rica for what he was informed would be the duration of one month away from home. Unfortunately, the details of importing horses to Costa Rica became quite complicated, so he spent three months in Louisiana organizing this process, instead of the predetermined one month. Finally, in the end of November of 2007 Bernardo brought nearly 100 horses by plane to Costa Rica. He personally delivered the two loads of horses, which included two 40 hour round trip drives from Louisiana to Miami.
So… after being absent from his post, at the same time, effectively making Panaca the largest equine center in Latin America with the horses he chose, purchased and transported for them from he United States, Bernardo (Oops, forgot to mention, he has dual citizenship, U.S.A. and Costa Rican, would that be the reason he selected him?) (Not so sure it would be so easy to send a Colombian over?) returned to the position he was contracted for – Coordinator of Horse World. Of course he was shy several months of the other stations when he returned with his “horse load” from the United States, no worries - he caught up quickly and had everything running well in no time at all.(I understand he worked for nearly 7 weeks without one day off)
Panaca intrigued him with the expectation of moving his family to the park and encouraged him to become part of “the family”. He trusted this and as an overqualified participant in the ordeal was a good sport. After 5 months of being away from his wife and less than 1 year old child with the promise of a house where they would all live together as a happy family, Panaca said goodbye.
From all outside observations, it is clear that Bernardo met and exceeded all of his expectations, went beyond the call of duty only to have the wrong blood. Panaca, presents itself as an investment group owned by Costa Ricans – that is wrong – It is an investment group owned predominately by Colombians, mainly living in Costa Rica. Bernardo is only the second example of someone hired whom exceeded expectations, only to be removed and replaced by Colombians.
The concept of Don Jorge Valon is terrific, it is very sad that the management of his park in Costa Rica is diminishing his ideas and extraordinary visions.
Too bad for him. We were mates in College. I know he was working for a fresh hearts of palm company before. Don’t know why he left them for the horse business.
M