Mason Delacroix
In 2019, at least 19 people lost their lives in Costa Rica due to alcohol poisoning. The Costa Rican Health Ministry confirmed that the deaths were caused by alcohol tainted with methanol, with at least seven occurring in San Jose province. Liquor sellers sometimes dilute their products with toxic methanol to increase profit margins or boost alcohol content. The incident prompted the Costa Rican government to confiscate over 55,000 bottles of alcohol and shut down 10 establishments in Alajuela and San José.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Deaths | 19 (some sources state 25) |
| Gender of Deceased | 14 men and 5 women |
| Age of Deceased | 32 to 72 years old |
| Location | San Jose province (7 deaths) |
| Alcohol Brands | Guaro Montano, Guaro Gran Apache, Aguardiente Estrella, Aguardiente Barón Rojo, Aguardiente Timbuka, Molotov Aguardiente, Aguardiente Molotov |
| Poisoning Substance | Methanol |
| Symptoms | Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, vertigo, hyperventilation, blindness, coma, convulsions, respiratory arrest, confusion, inability to coordinate muscle movement, weakness, nausea, unconsciousness, blurred vision |
| Treatment | Fomepizole drug, high doses of ethanol (e.g. whiskey or vodka) |
| Number of Bottles Seized | 30,000 (some sources state 55,000) |
| Establishments Closed | 10 |
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What You'll Learn
Brands of alcohol tainted with methanol
In 2019, at least 19 people lost their lives in Costa Rica due to alcohol poisoning. The deaths were caused by "adulterated liquor", with several alcohol brands tainted with methanol, a toxic substance found in solvents and antifreeze. The Costa Rican government responded by confiscating over 30,000 bottles of liquor from various brands and closing 10 establishments in Alajuela and San José.
The tainted alcohol brands included Guaro Montano, Guaro Gran Apache, Aguardiente Estrella, Aguardiente Barón Rojo, Aguardiente Timbuka, and Molotov Aguardiente. These brands were found to contain methanol, which is a more toxic type of alcohol than ethanol. Adding methanol to distilled liquor allows sellers to increase the volume and potency of the drink. Even small traces of methanol can be harmful, causing symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, vomiting, abdominal pain, and in more severe cases, blindness, coma, and respiratory arrest.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported similar outbreaks of counterfeit or informally produced alcohol resulting in methanol poisoning in various countries, including Cambodia, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Libya, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Turkey, and Uganda.
To avoid consuming tainted alcohol, it is recommended to stick to mass-produced and well-known alcohol brands. It is also important to be cautious of drinks that seem unusually inexpensive or are priced lower than normal. If symptoms of methanol poisoning occur, immediate medical treatment is crucial, as it can be treated if diagnosed within 10 to 30 hours of ingestion.
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$19.99
Liquor sellers dilute products with toxic methanol
Liquor sellers sometimes dilute their products with toxic methanol to increase profit margins or raise alcohol content. This practice can have deadly consequences, as seen in the case of Costa Rica, where at least 19 people lost their lives due to methanol-tainted alcohol. The victims included 14 men and five women, ranging in age from 32 to 72.
Methanol, a more toxic form of alcohol than ethanol, is often used by sellers to increase the volume and potency of distilled liquor. Even small traces of methanol can be harmful, causing dizziness, confusion, muscle coordination issues, and other severe symptoms. In the Costa Rica incident, several alcohol brands were found to be tainted with methanol, including Guaro Montano, Guaro Gran Apache, Aguardiente Estrella, and Molotov Aguardiente.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported similar outbreaks of counterfeit or informally produced alcohol resulting in methanol poisoning in various countries, including Cambodia, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, and India. To prevent such incidents, Larry Navin, director of government and public affairs at the Methanol Institute, advises travellers to stick to mass-produced, well-known alcohol brands and avoid bargains that seem too good to be true.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning typically appear several hours after consumption. These symptoms can include drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, vomiting, abdominal pain, and vertigo. In more severe cases, methanol poisoning can lead to hyperventilation, blindness, coma, convulsions, and respiratory arrest. It is crucial to seek immediate medical treatment as methanol poisoning can be treated if diagnosed within 10 to 30 hours of ingestion.
To address the issue of tainted alcohol in Costa Rica, the government has confiscated over 30,000 bottles from brands suspected of containing methanol and closed down several establishments in affected areas. While the Costa Rica Tourism Board has reassured tourists of their safety, the incident highlights the importance of caution when consuming alcohol in countries with varying safety standards.
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Symptoms of methanol poisoning
In 2019, at least 19 people lost their lives in Costa Rica due to alcohol poisoning. The alcohol was tainted with methanol, which is found in solvents and antifreeze. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported similar outbreaks of counterfeit or informally produced alcohol resulting in methanol poisoning in several countries.
Methanol poisoning can have severe consequences, and even small traces of the substance can be toxic. Symptoms of methanol poisoning often appear several hours after consumption and include drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, vertigo, and an altered or decreased level of consciousness. In more serious cases, methanol poisoning can lead to hyperventilation, blurred vision, blindness, kidney failure, coma, convulsions, and respiratory arrest.
It is important to note that methanol poisoning can be treated if diagnosed within 10 to 30 hours of ingestion. There are drugs like Fomepizole that can stop methanol from metabolizing, but they may not be available everywhere. As an alternative, high doses of ethanol, such as whiskey or vodka, can be administered immediately.
If you suspect methanol poisoning, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Do not wait for symptoms to develop, as methanol poisoning can have serious and potentially fatal consequences.
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Alcohol fraud and tainted alcohol incidents
In Costa Rica, alcohol fraud and tainted alcohol incidents have resulted in several fatalities. In 2019, at least 19 people were reported to have died nationwide due to poisoned alcohol, with seven deaths occurring in San Jose province, which includes the capital city of San Jose. The Costa Rican Health Ministry confirmed that the deaths were caused by consuming alcohol tainted with methanol, a toxic substance. Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is often added to distilled liquor by sellers to increase the drink's volume and potency, boosting their profit margins.
The brands Guaro Montano, Guaro Gran Apache, Aguardiente Estrella, Aguardiente Barón Rojo, Aguardiente Timbuka, Aguardiente Molotov, and Molotov Aguardiente were found to have samples that tested positive for methanol adulteration. As a result, the Costa Rican government confiscated over 30,000 bottles from these suspected brands and closed several establishments in Alajuela and San José to protect public safety.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning can include dizziness, weakness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, blurred vision, blindness, confusion, and the inability to coordinate muscle movement. It can also lead to more severe consequences, such as hyperventilation, coma, convulsions, and respiratory arrest. Treatment for methanol poisoning is time-sensitive, and if diagnosed within 10 to 30 hours of ingestion, the poisoned person has a higher chance of recovery.
To avoid alcohol fraud and tainted alcohol incidents, it is recommended to stick to mass-produced and well-known brands of alcohol. It is also important to be cautious of drinks that seem unusually inexpensive or are priced lower than normal, as they may pose a higher risk of adulteration.
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Tourist deaths and safety concerns
Alcohol Poisoning
In 2019, at least 19 people died in Costa Rica due to poisoned alcohol, with at least seven of these deaths occurring in San Jose province. The alcohol was tainted with methanol, a toxic substance found in solvents and antifreeze. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that methanol poisoning outbreaks are often linked to counterfeit or informally produced alcohol. Symptoms of methanol poisoning include dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and vertigo. In more severe cases, it can lead to hyperventilation, blindness, coma, convulsions, and respiratory arrest.
Violent Crime and Homicide
Costa Rica broke its record for reported homicides in 2017 with 603 cases, and the rate of murders per 100,000 inhabitants continued to rise in subsequent years. In 2023, there were over 900 homicides, marking the most violent year in the country's history. These murders have been primarily attributed to narcotrafficking groups and criminal gangs fighting for territory, particularly in poorer neighbourhoods around San Jose. The increase in violence has been linked to Costa Rica's role as a transshipment point for Colombian cocaine and the growing presence of cartels.
Other Safety Concerns
Other safety concerns for tourists in Costa Rica include the dangers of extreme adventure activities, such as rappelling down waterfalls or ziplining, which are not heavily regulated by the government. Additionally, natural hazards like rip currents, shark and crocodile-populated waters, and rapidly rising water levels can pose risks. Mosquitoes and other insects can also be a nuisance and potential disease carriers, although malaria, for instance, is uncommon.
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Frequently asked questions
The alcohol was tainted with toxic levels of methanol.
19 deaths were initially confirmed, with the death toll later rising to 25.
Symptoms included acute abdominal pain, acute headache, dizziness, confusion, and the inability to coordinate muscle movement.
The Costa Rican Health Ministry issued a national alert and confiscated around 30,000 bottles of alcohol suspected to be tainted. They also advised against consuming alcohol from specific brands.
Brands such as "Aguardiente Molotov", "Guaro Gran Apache", "Guaro Montano", and "Brandy Red Barnacle" were suspected of containing methanol and were advised against by the Health Ministry.
