Chapter 1317: Chapter 639: This Is a Shithole, and You Jumped In?
Juan’s dying accusation and the horrific images captured by reporters broke through the Medellin blockade via satellite signals at the first instance.
BBC, Reuters, and AFP headlines compete in horror: “Medellin: City of Massacre?”, “Survivors Accuse Mexican Army of Systematic Executions”, “Victor’s ‘Cleansing’: Is the Entire City a Graveyard?”
Drug trafficker Juan’s blood-stained face, the grim wounds on his shoulder blades, the terrified faces of journalists, and his halting yet tearful descriptions.
“Volley fire… finishing shot… all dead… empty… graveyard” — instantly igniting global public opinion.
The international community was completely shocked.
Previous sporadic reports and speculations about Victor’s army “excessively using force” in Medellin now seemed to have found the bloodiest, most direct evidence.
Juan’s identity as a “drug trafficker’s hitman,” in the face of a massive humanitarian disaster, was deliberately blurred by many, as he was first and foremost a “survivor” who climbed out from “Hell”.
Human rights organizations and United Nations agencies expressed unprecedented severity, demanding an independent investigation immediately. Several governments issued statements, expressing “extreme shock and concern” regarding the “atrocities described in the reports,” and exerted pressure on the Colombian Government.
The atmosphere in the Colombia National Palace abruptly dropped to freezing point.
The President and his advisors looked ashen and grim.
Originally, there was some expectation for Victor’s “quick resolution,” but it was completely overwhelmed by a tsunami of international condemnation and surging domestic skepticism.
Questions from allies came one after another, and domestic opposition seized the opportunity to fiercely criticize the government for “inviting wolves into the house” and “losing sovereignty.”
The air was filled with restlessness and unease, heralding a storm.
“The international phone lines are about to explode,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ voice was dry as he attempted to summarize, “The United Kingdom, France, Germany… each statement more severe than the last. The United Nations Human Rights Office demands immediate, unhindered access to Medellin. We… we are running out of wiggle room.”
“Wiggle room?” Armando Benede, the President, slammed his fist onto the table; the expensive mahogany emitted a dull sound. “What concern is our own affairs of theirs?!”
In truth, he felt a bit irritable.
He even blamed Victor, for not mentioning such a major issue to him.
He was associated with Victor; did Victor not care about his survival?
At that moment, Vice President Cyril Douglas entered, his face displaying a deliberately suppressed worry, holding a freshly printed document.
“Mr. President,” Douglas’ voice broke the brief silence brought by the President and successfully drew everyone’s attention, “the situation is more complicated than we imagined; international pressure is just the tip of the iceberg.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the varied expressions of the advisors present, “I just received calls from the Conservative Party Chairman and the Leader of the Liberal Party, the severity of their words is unprecedented.”
He raised the document in his hand, “The opposition alliance has reached a consensus; they will initiate an emergency motion in Congress, demanding the immediate establishment of a bipartisan special investigation committee on the Medellin incident.”
President Armando Benede’s face grew even grimmer as he glared at Douglas, sensing worse news was coming.
Douglas met his gaze, his voice intensified, each word struck like cold stones on the ground: “They clearly state that this committee will have the highest authorization to thoroughly investigate every aspect of the Medellin operation from the decision-making to execution, including…” he paused deliberately, “The Presidential order authorizing Victor’s action itself and the legality and necessity of all military commands during the operation!”
The room was silent; one could hear a pin drop.
The advisors exchanged glances. This was not just an investigation into atrocities; it directly aimed at the President’s core decision-making authority!
It meant to unseat Armando Benede.
“That’s not all,” Douglas’ voice dropped lower but penetrated deeper as he stepped forward, “That old fox from the Conservative Party reminded me on the phone, according to Article 178 of the Constitution, if the special investigation committee ultimately concludes, that the President knowingly or should have known the systematic atrocities risk and still authorized and condoned the humanitarian disaster, then Congress has the right to initiate impeachment proceedings.”
“Impeachment?!” A young advisor exclaimed in shock, realizing the blunder, quickly covered his mouth.
The air instantly dropped to freezing point.
Armando Benede visibly trembled.
Ally inquiry was an external storm, but the domestic opposition used this incident to launch a political offensive, especially the threat of impeachment, was a direct stab at the heart.
This meant he not only faced judgment from the international community but could potentially lose completely in domestic political struggles and even be ousted from the National Palace.
Vice President Douglas gently placed the document symbolizing domestic political storm in front of the President, stating, “They demand you make a public response within 24 hours and promise full cooperation with the investigation; otherwise, the motion will be submitted to Congress for a vote tomorrow, and public opinion will stand completely on their side. Now, it’s not just journalists outside, Liberal and Conservative Party members have started making statements on the steps.”
Armando Benede’s gaze was fixed on the document, quite angry, “Is this a threat?!”
“Tell them I absolutely refuse to agree to their demands. It’s wartime, and I have the right to exercise my rights!”