“Fiesta Blanca” Guaro Is Killing People in Costa Rica

An alert from the Ministry of Health warns us not to drink “Fiesta Blanca” guaro, as it has taken the life of a young father, seven others, and made many more critically sick. This is because methanol, extremely toxic, was in it. 

While the company that makes it has a sanitary permit, it is still unclear whether the original or falsified version has methanol. In any case, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference, so even bottles thought to be original must be avoided. 

Additionally, there are alerts for risk of alcohol with methanol for the following: Chonete, Cuerazo, Sacheto, Gran Apache, Estrella Roja, Montano, Barón Rojo, Timbuka, Molotov, Perla Gris, Bombillo, and Kosako. 

These must not be sold or enjoyed. Information about any store selling them should be reported to 9-1-1 for public safety. If you have ingested any of these you should go to an emergency room at once, before severe symptoms.

Steven Álvarez Castillo had Fiesta Blanco on Saturday and lost his life two days later, at just 23-years-old, leaving behind a distraught mother. 

He began to feel sick the morning after consuming the product and overslept. He arrived at work late, was sleepy, and had an altered pulse. He was not himself. Normally a great employee of the hair salon, he was late and he even cut someone when trimming a beard. This never happened before. He was ordinarily responsible and attentive. He went home early because he was feeling unwell. 

Then more serious effects began to take a toll on his body. He had terrible stomach pain and couldn’t stop vomiting. He was faint and couldn’t get up the next morning. He couldn’t see. He stopped responding and his eyes were moving in a strange way. He was taken to Hospital Mexico. His vital signs were very low. Doctors did all they could but he passed at around 7 pm. 

The bottle he drank from was handed over to the authorities and they tested the drops left and discovered methanol.

Others in the same community got sick with similar symptoms starting on Monday. Seven others died from the same cause. 11 others, including friends of Steven, are hospitalized in delicate condition. 

The post “Fiesta Blanca” Guaro Is Killing People in Costa Rica first appeared on The Costa Rican Times.