Chapter 1318: Chapter 639: This Is a Shithole, and You Just Jumped In? (Part 2)
In the office, everyone looked at each other, feeling that his words lacked force, and after a brief silence, the meeting ended haphazardly.
They just saw Mr. President stumbling down the stairs, almost falling, but was caught by the security personnel beside him.
That embarrassing scene was witnessed by many.
How so similar to Mrs. Thatcher’s infamous fall?
Though perhaps of a much lower stature, both illustrate a certain truth, the inner heart…is not so calm.
The incident at the Colombia National Palace could not be hidden, like wildfire, rapidly reaching the ears of the opposition alliance.
President Armando Benedetto’s resistant stance was interpreted as the most obstinate recalcitrance and guiltiness, and the opposition leaders no longer waited for the futile 24-hour response, immediately initiating emergency procedures.
While he submitted an application, and Congress quickly passed the decision to convene, making Armando Benedetto somewhat embarrassed.
The next day, the atmosphere in the Congress hall was heavy as iron.
As he entered the venue, he was no longer greeted with ceremonial applause, many gazing upon him as if scrutinizing a criminal.
The media overwhelmingly declared that he took Victor’s money, and although many in Medellin are drug traffickers, aren’t the lives of drug traffickers lives too?
Many of them are lawful citizens of Colombia.
Even for a trial, it shouldn’t be up to the Mexicans!
They should help us take Medellin and then hand them over to us.
Victor, is not a good person!
Very typical… a pursuit of profit without regard for righteousness.
As soon as the meeting began, the opposition alliance leader, a parliamentarian known for his sharpness, directly took the speaking seat, skipping pleasantries and targeting the President:
“Mr. Speaker! Members of Parliament! Yesterday, we gave Mr. President 24 hours to respond to the people’s questioning of the Medellin tragedy and the international community’s condemnation. We expected a responsible attitude, a commitment to accept the highest level of investigation to prove innocence! However, what did we get?” His voice suddenly elevated, filled with the power to accuse, “We received silence from the Presidential Palace! We received arrogant evasion! We received naked fear of the truth!”
He suddenly pointed at the ashen-faced Armando Benedetto: “This silence itself is an answer! It answers all our questions: President Armando Benedetto, he doesn’t dare to face it! He doesn’t dare to explain because he cannot explain! He cannot explain why, knowing the risks, he still signed that fatal order! He cannot explain why he watched those atrocities happen! He cannot explain why his decisions brought shame to the nation; what is the purpose of a President who cannot protect his own citizens?”
“This is not a mistake, gentlemen! This is dereliction of duty! This is an abuse of the power bestowed by the constitution! This is the most shameless betrayal of national interests!” The opposition leader’s voice was like a heavy sledgehammer, striking hard in the silent assembly hall.
“For some untold political purpose, or merely a pathetic misjudgment, he pushed our nation to the brink of war crimes! He sold out honor, sold out the dignity of the nation, he — Armando Benedetto, is treason!”
“A traitor does not deserve to sit on the throne of the National Palace!” He shouted, raising his arms, “For the future of the nation, for justice, to give an explanation to those who died in Medellin, I hereby formally motion: immediately initiate the impeachment proceedings against President Armando Benedetto! Remove him from office!”
“Second!”
“Second!”
“Second!”
In the opposition seats, arms rose like a forest, the wave of support echoed, instantly converging into a turbulent tide demanding the President’s ouster.
The Conservative Party, Liberal Party, and many independent parliamentarians, at this moment, reached a shocking consensus.
“Get out! Bastard, what good person are you? What are you sympathizing with? Those are drug traffickers, it’s still battle time, Mexican soldiers are merely fulfilling battlefield responsibilities!” The President’s supporters also began cursing.
Then…
The two factions started from verbal sparring to physical fighting, the spectacle was remarkable.
Armando Benedetto stood behind the podium, slamming the table with a loud thud that briefly silenced the clamor.
“Betrayal!” he roared, his voice distorted with excitement, “This is betrayal!”
“I! Will never resign, drug traffickers must die, I said so!”
After he finished, he left with his people, the domestic conflict completely tore off its disguise.
Returning to the office, privately he called up Victor, and no one knows what they talked about, but it lasted over four hours!
Just at this critical juncture, within 30 hours from the news broadcast, Victor himself released a very brief and unexplained statement through the Mexico Ministry of Defense:
“In light of external doubts concerning the Mexican joint forces, I fear starting from today, all Mexican combat units will withdraw from Medellin city and its surroundings, cease fire and hand over regional defense to Colombian authorities!”
“And, Colombian President Armando Benedetto temporarily takes command of the Mexican Forces!”
This sudden withdrawal command and appointment authority was like an ice block thrown into boiling oil.
Bogota was stunned.
The opposition was baffled!
Victor…
Just withdrew like that? Amid worldwide condemnation and the utmost pressure, he not only didn’t defend or resist but directly pulled out?
This is entirely inconsistent with his strong and even overbearing style. A strong unease instantly replaced the momentary astonishment.
Moreover, what the hell does entrusting Armando Benedetto with military power mean?
What are you guarding against?
What is this?
The opposition wants to pull him down, now it’s not simple, Armando Benedetto holding military power is like an unstoppable tumbler.
This way, it makes us very afraid, you know?
Within the Allied Command, the British reaction speed far exceeded that of Colombians, nearly half an hour after Mexico’s withdrawal announcement, the British Ministry of Defense loudly proclaimed:
“Given the Mexican army’s withdrawal and the current severe humanitarian situation in the Medellin area, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland decides, under the Allied framework, to dispatch the courageous 16th Air Assault Brigade immediately ahead to take over security and humanitarian relief affairs in the Medellin direction.”
“Our army will adhere to international law and humanitarian spirit, ensure regional stability, and provide safe passage and proper placement for all non-combat personnel seeking asylum, including those laying down arms.”
The wording was grandiose, the actions swift as lightning.
The British rapid units had long been on standby near the border, now advancing quickly towards Medellin like sharks smelling blood.
While on the Cali Cartel side…
Only some stinking salted fish and rotten bird eggs remained here.
When the news reached Victor.
Casare cursed angrily, “The Brits must have been planning this for long, even the impeachment against Armando Benedetto was pushed by them behind the scenes, they are the world’s shit stirrers!”
He felt an urge to go challenge the Queen.
Um…
He couldn’t beat anyone else either.
Victor signaled him to calm down, “We were never on the same path from the start, have you forgotten we bombed their aircraft carrier?”
Um…
“But boss, we bombed them, just let them bomb back, what’s this sneaky behind-the-scenes stuff!”
Though Mexico doesn’t have an aircraft carrier, you can wait till we build one, then bomb it back.
This biased frame-up is too obvious.
“Let the Brits go, Medellin is a huge powder keg, the drug traffickers will resist too, when they go in, they’ll realize that place is a heap of dog shit.”
Victor wasn’t stupid…
He simply used the public opinion to retreat!
There are millions there, can the Brits do well by going in?
They have a lot to suffer.
“Our attention should now shift to another place.”
“Where?” Casare asked anxiously.
“Next door in Brazil!”
…