Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Novel, TV - and court - relive Nicaraguan scandal Date: Sat, 7 Nov 92 19:23:58 EST Message-ID: \SE A;WORLD \HD Novel, TV - and court - relive Nicaraguan scandal \BY John Otis \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES \DT MANAGUA, Nicaragua MANAGUA, Nicaragua - Oliverio Castaneda, who scandalized Nicaraguan high society as a rakish law student 60 years ago, has come back from the dead to haunt one of the country's most prominent families. In the early 1930s, Castaneda is said to have carried on love affairs with three members of one of Nicaragua's elite families. After two of the three died of mysterious causes, Castaneda was arrested for murder. Castaneda's real-life exploits are the basis of a best-selling novel by former Vice President Sergio Ramirez as well as a 14-part TV miniseries. The first episode was scheduled to air on Nicaragua's Channel 2 next week. But relatives of the Gurdian family - which was disgraced by Castaneda - are leaning on Channel 2 to cancel the broadcast and plan to sue Mr. Ramirez for slander. "Half a century later, these people don't want their dirty laundry dragged out," said Davi Traumann, a professor at the Central American University (UCA) in Managua. "Now, thousands of people are going to see it on TV, and they are embarrassed." The miniseries is titled "Castigo Divino" - Spanish for "divine punishment" - and is based on one of the most puzzling episodes in Nicaraguan history. A law student who was exiled from Guatemala, Castaneda arrived in the provincial town of Leon in western Nicaragua in 1932. While studying at the university, he boarded with the Gurdian family and worked his way into their confidence. "Castaneda was always very handsome, with the latest hats and neckties. Women were very attracted to him," said Agustin Prio, who remembers serving whiskey to Castaneda at his cafe in Leon. The mother and both daughters had love affairs with Castaneda and two of the three were later found dead of strychnine poisoning. Castaneda was declared guilty of murder but the conviction remains in doubt since it was based on largely circumstantial evidence. The debate over whether Castaneda poisoned the women continues to this day, and the case is a staple at university law classes. Adding to the scandal was the fate of Castaneda. National Guard commander Anastasio Somoza Garcia, who would soon take power and establish a family dynasty in Nicaragua, ordered his troops to release Castaneda, then shoot him for attempted escape. Mr. Ramirez' "Castigo Divino" is part murder mystery and part social satire. The novel portrays the aristocracy of Leon as shallow, scheming and morally suspect and leaves the question of Castaneda's guilt or innocence unanswered. Some readers disagree with this interpretation. Gladys Espinoza, the minister of culture, told the Managua daily Barricada that legal records virtually confirm that Castaneda was guilty. Ramiro Gurdian, a prominent Managua businessman who is closely related to the Gurdians of Leon, called the novel a bitter diatribe against the entire town. When the novel was first published in 1988, Mr. Ramirez was vice president in the Sandinista government and Mr. Gurdian could hardly object. But four years later, the prospect of watching the scandal unfold on Nicaraguan TV for 14 straight Saturday nights has Mr. Gurdian livid. "A lot of people can't read, but anyone can buy a hundred-dollar TV on credit. In every little hut in Nicaragua you will see the history of one of the biggest families," said Franz Galich, who teaches modern literature at the UCA. But Channel 2 is having second thoughts about the Colombian-produced miniseries. Station owner Octavio Sacasa himself comes from a prominent Leon family. And Mr. Gurdian is president of the most influential business organization in Nicaragua. Fearing a backlash from advertisers, the station may cut some of the love scenes from the series or cancel it altogether, said Oscar Miranda, a Channel 2 spokesman. Last week, Mr. Gurdian said he will sue Mr. Ramirez for defaming the family even though the name Gurdian was changed to Contreras in the novel and miniseries. Now a deputy in the National Assembly, Mr. Ramirez responded by giving up his parliamentary immunity and said he looks forward to defending his novel in court. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM