Trapped miner finds himself in tight spot after wife meets lover at vigil

Wife, mistress meet at mine

Trapped miner finds himself in tight spot after wife meets lover at vigil

Neither woman was aware of the other's existence until they met at a candlelight vigil for the miners.

Yonni Barrios' wife, Marta Salinas, was shocked to hear another woman shouting her husband's name at the gathering held to support the 33 men who are trapped 2,300 feet underground.

They compared notes and figured out that they both had been shafted.

Officials said the miners aren't likely to be rescued before Christmas.

Despite feeling "horrified" about her husband's cheating ways, Salinas (56), has told friends she still plans to welcome Barrios (50), back with open arms once he's freed.

"Barrios is my husband. He loves me and I am his devoted wife," she said. But she's not the only one who feels that way.

Susana Valenzuela, who's been his mistress for five years, insists she'll always be his soul mate.' "We are in love. I'll wait for him," she said.

Salinas clawed back at her rival, refusing to address Valenzuela by name. "This woman has no legitimacy," she hissed.

Valenzuela has been pictured at the mine site with a statue of the Virgin Mary tucked in one arm and holding a sign with a picture of Barrios, along with a heartfelt message to him.

Barrios, who once studied nursing, has been busy providing medical care to the other trapped workers.

He's administered medicine and has vaccinated all the men and himself against the flu and pneumonia with
supplies dropped down the shaft.

A new video shot by the miners late Tuesday showed the men clean-shaven, wearing fresh clothing and enjoying the chance to listen to music.

They've been able to snack on chicken sandwiches, yogurt, cereal and get tea and water daily.

But their request for booze and cigarettes fell on deaf ears.

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