King of All I Survey
Chapter 86: We Just Followed the Evidence Trail

Chapter 86: We Just Followed the Evidence Trail

"Gentlemen," Maribel started, "thank you for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice. As I mentioned, I have some information that reflects on Guatemala’s national security. First, let me introduce myself. I have already met President Arroyo, of course. My name is Maria Isabel Flores. My home country is Peru, but I spent some time in Guatemala when I was younger, and I live here now, permanently. My citizenship application is pending completion of my five-year residency period. I come from a wealthy family, as you may have heard if you follow the news. Our wealth comes primarily from my father’s attention to finance and investment activities. My own passions, however, lie in the fields of humanitarianism and philanthropy. My goal is to help people live lives that are free, happy, safe, and prosperous. Toward that end, my father has created and endowed an organization that is actively working to realize those goals. I have recently, as of this morning, in fact, been promoted to Chief Executive Officer of that organization, as my father seeks to step back from his role. Effectively, I will control the full resources and direction of our charitable organization from today forward."

She waited for that to sink in. "Congratulations, Senora Flores," President Arroyo offered, "Your father is lucky to have such a formidable daughter to place at the helm."

Maribel smiled, "Thank you Mr. President. As you all certainly know, Our first effort here in Guatemala was a small organization called Food First which was piloting some new technology in the area of corn processing in Sacapulas. It was just beginning to enjoy some success when we met with some interference from a drug-trafficking syndicate here in Guatemala seeking to use our technology for other agricultural products. Rather than give in to their pressure, we decided to destroy their organization and the drug cartels that supplied them."

There was a sharp intake of breath. The three men at the meeting table were familiar with recent events in Guatemala and the neighboring countries, of course, but didn’t realize the full nature of Maribel’s involvement or the reason for her father’s organization to take such drastic action.

Hernandez spoke up, "Just like that? Your family charity decided to step in and crush the drug cartels that have been the bane of the Americas, defying even the United States’ efforts to control them? Then, you took it upon yourself to identify members of the Guatemalan government and military that you claim were corrupt, using what appear to be extremely sophisticated and far-reaching surveillance methods to provide evidence of their misdeeds. Tell me, Miss Flores, have we all been under similar surveillance? Have you been watching us in our homes and offices, too?"

Maribel smiled, "Mr. Hernandez, we had obvious surveillance targets starting with those in the gangs who confronted us and known cartel members. From there, our surveillance efforts simply followed their direct contacts, based on the evidence that was gathered in the primary investigation. We did not simply watch everybody and wait to see if they committed any crimes. We followed clear lines of evidence as we found them, wherever they led. Because of the internal corruption in the system, including, as you now know the Attorney General, and other high ranking law enforcement and judiciary agencies, we could not seek individual warrants and law enforcement assistance in our initial efforts. We did provide our evidence to President Arroyo, and recommended the guilty parties be apprehended and tried in Guatemalan Courts, according to Guatemalan law. The prosecutions have been proceeding quickly, I am told, based on the high quality and directness of the evidence we have provided. We have every faith in the judicial system of Guatemala, NOW." She emphasized the word ’now’ to make her point.

Hernandez did not look especially pleased, but he didn’t say anything further.

Maribel continued, "Now, however, we would like to preserve that Judicial and Governmental integrity and protect it from further... intrusions. Recently, we secured an agreement of amnesty for former members of the trafficking gangs with the conditions that they find and keep gainful employment working to repair the damage they have done to the country as well as attend counseling sessions that keep them on the right path going forward. We have agreed that they should and will be held accountable if they commit any further criminal acts no matter how minor, or if they fail to uphold their end of the amnesty bargain for any reason. I understand this was controversial, but I have always believed that repairing the harm done is more important than punishing mistakes.

"I bring this up because, we held a meeting to organize these efforts and get the ball rolling on rebuilding Guatemala’s infrastructure, paid for by my organization of course, but had some difficulty. We overheard a conversation between some men dressed as police officers in a police car approaching our building. They were discussing their plan to attack the building, shooting people as they exited, and using the speakers on the vehicle to loudly and publicly claim they represented your government."

"What? Who sent them?" A clearly upset Justice Morales asked.

"Well, we asked the same question of course," Maribel answered calmly, "It turns out that they were not members of the Guatemalan police force at all. Furthermore, they had six companions armed with military grade rocket propelled grenade launchers surrounding our building with the intent of inflicting mass casualties. Casualties for which your government would have been blamed according to their plan."

"Military grade? From our military?" Hernandez asked.

"No. These were not from any Guatemalan military inventory or even of the same design used by your military. They are a model that can be purchased on the black market if one has certain connections. We believe that is the case, however, these weapons did not cross the border into Guatemala at any time since our efforts here began. Since we are working with President Arroyo to monitor and safeguard the borders, we would have seen and stopped them from entering the country.

"Which means they were stored here for some time, just in case, as it were, they were ever needed by someone. We believe we know who put them here, and we believe we know who sent the terrorists to kill Guatemalan citizens on Guatemalan soil while pretending to be working under the direction of the Guatemalan government.

Maribel paused for effect, noticing that now there were no interruptions. Although President Arroyo had already received a brief overview, the other two sat on the edges of their seats waiting to hear who was behind this affront to the sovereignty of their newly cleansed nation.

"We know that the call setting them into motion came from the compound of the Rain Drug Cartel in Colombia, but we also believe that the attackers are contractors or mercenaries, if you will, trained and hired by members of the CIA."

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