Chapter 2048 - 844: Crush Those Restless Idiots!

Victor nodded.

"What's the reaction from the United States?"

Bramo shook his head.

"Still silent. The media has started reporting, but there's no official response. The White House Spokesman says 'verifying information'."

Victor sneered.

"Verifying. Verifying what? Verifying if that money was wired by them?"

He turned around.

"Notify our people, send one copy of the evidence to The New York Times, one to the Washington Post, and one to CNN. Let them handle it."

Bramo nodded.

"Also," Victor said, "how's the cleanup going in Ecuador?"

Bramo opened a folder.

"Four hundred twenty-seven people have been arrested. Among them, two hundred thirteen were directly involved in the massacre, while the rest were accomplices, organizers, or financiers. We've captured two-thirds of the people on the list. The search for the remaining ones continues."

"Civilian casualties?"

"Zero. Our people have been very restrained."

Victor was silent for a few seconds.

"Tell Garcia to continue the search. Not a single one of them can escape."

Bramo nodded.

Casare chimed in from the side, "Boss, when do we deal with Sinopiquiar?"

Victor looked at him.

"No rush. Let him live for now. We will try him publicly after Alarcón's testimony comes out."

He paused.

"Let the whole world see the consequences of cooperating with the Americans."

February 12, 1998, morning, Washington D.C., The New York Times headquarters.

The editor was looking at the documents that just arrived from Mexico City, hands trembling.

These were not the kind of speculative "intelligence," nor accusations that could be pushed onto "anonymous sources." These were solid evidence—testimonies, transfer records, communication logs, photos, videos.

The name of CIA Deputy Director of Operations Malcolm Turner appeared twenty-seven times.

The editor looked up at the reporter who had delivered the documents.

"Is this real?"

The reporter nodded.

"The informant said these came from Ecuador. Mexicans caught several people, and they confessed during the first trial."

The editor was silent for a few seconds.

He knew what this meant.

Once this report is published, all CIA operations in Latin America would be exposed. The politicians who took bribes would fall, infiltrated countries would become chaotic, those cooperating with the Americans would die.

But if not published, other media would surely do so. CNN probably received the same materials.

He picked up the phone, dialing a number.

"Get me the Washington bureau. Tell them to reserve the front page."

February 12, 1998, afternoon, White House.

The President looked at the newly delivered The New York Times, his face grim.

Front page headline:

"CIA Accused of Funding Anti-Mexican Violence in Ecuador, Documents Show High-Level Involvement"

Subheadline:

"Malcolm Turner's Name Appears in Twenty-Seven Instances of Testimony"

He slammed the newspaper onto the table.

"Where is Turner?"

The Chief of Staff stood nearby, his expression equally grim.

"In Langley. He says the accusations are 'fabricated,' 'Mexican political propaganda'."

The President sneered.

"Fabricated? Are the transfer records fabricated too? The communication logs fabricated? The testimonies also fabricated?"

The Chief of Staff said nothing.

The President stood up, walking to the window.

"Once this newspaper is out, the whole Latin America will explode. Our allies will doubt us, enemies will mock us, those relying on our support will be scared—fear of being betrayed."

He turned around.

"Tell Turner from now, he is not allowed to accept any interviews, to make any statements. Everything waits for the investigation to end."

The Chief of Staff hesitated.

"Investigation? What investigation?"

"Internal investigation." The President looked at him, "You don't understand? Hang him out there for now, deal with it after the storm passes."

The Chief of Staff understood.

"Yes." 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

February 12, 1998, evening, Mexico City, National Palace.

Victor watched CNN's live broadcast.

On screen, reporters were interviewing the spokesman at the White House door. The spokesman repeated those few phrases: "verifying information," "no comment on unverified accusations," "the United States respects international laws and human rights."

Reporters pressed, "Will Malcolm Turner be suspended?"

The spokesman paused for two seconds.

"We are investigating."

Victor laughed.

"Investigating." He repeated the word, "Same old routine."

Bramo stood nearby.

"In Ecuador, the special tribunal is already being prepared. The United Nations Observer has requested entry, but our response is 'wait until military operations conclude.'"

Victor nodded.

"Let them wait. Let Ecuadorians judge themselves first."

He paused.

"Tell Garcia, after cleanup ends, to hand over all those listed people to the Ecuadorian interim government. Let them judge, sentence, and execute themselves. We'll just watch."

Bramo hesitated.

"Hand over all? Including Sinopiquiar?"

Victor looked at him.

"Did Sinopiquiar kill Ecuadorians?"

Bramo thought for a moment.

"He killed Mexicans."

"Then he can't be handed over," Victor said, "For every Mexican he killed, he must repay with a Mexican blade."

He stood up, walking to the window.

"Tell Bennett, keep Sinopiquiar for now. After the Ecuador matter is resolved, bring him back to Mexico City. Public trial, public execution."

"Let the world see the consequences of killing Mexicans."

February 13, 1998, early morning, Quito, Presidential Palace basement.