Building a Conglomerate in Another World

Chapter 161: Tension Rising

The sun rose over Bogotá, casting long shadows across the government palace as the Gran Colombia Republic’s ministers gathered again, this time in President Mariano Velásquez’s private chamber. The room smelled faintly of ink and parchment, with stacks of letters, reports, and diplomatic missives spread across a large oak table.

Foreign Minister Felipe Ortega was hunched over his work, penning the final draft of the formal protest to the Amerathian government. The room was quiet except for the occasional scrape of his pen and the muffled footsteps of aides delivering fresh documents.

Velásquez stood by the window, staring out at the city as if lost in thought. He finally broke the silence. "Ortega, how soon can you have the letter ready?"

"Within the hour, Mr. President," Ortega replied, not looking up from his work. "I’ve taken into account our position and the tone you requested—firm, but not outright hostile. The message will demand an explanation and insist on the withdrawal of Amerathian forces from Panama, but it leaves room for negotiation."

Velásquez nodded, still looking out the window. "Good. Send a copy to our ambassadors in Europe. We need to make sure the world knows Amerathia is violating our sovereignty. This isn’t just our fight—it’s about setting a precedent."

General Rodrigo Ibarra, seated across the room, leaned forward. "And if the Amerathians ignore it? What then?"

Velásquez turned, his expression cold and measured. "Then we respond as necessary, but only when the time is right. The last thing we need is to rush into a fight we’re not prepared for."

Ibarra frowned but said nothing, his frustration evident. He had never been a man to wait for an enemy to strike first.

"Mr. President," Ortega said, straightening as he finished the letter. "The draft is complete. Would you like to review it before I send it?"

Velásquez walked over and picked up the letter, scanning its contents. The language was careful, the tone assertive without being inflammatory. Satisfied, he handed it back. "It’ll do. Send it immediately and ensure it reaches Amerathia’s ambassador by the end of the day."

Ortega stood and bowed slightly. "Consider it done."

President Mariano Velásquez

Gran Colombia Republic

]

The Amerathian ambassador set the letter down, his expression unchanging. "Draft a response," he instructed his aide. "Acknowledgment of their message, but no concessions. Amerathia’s stance must remain firm."

"Understood, sir," the aide replied, picking up a pen.

The ambassador leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. He knew this letter would be followed by tension, perhaps even an escalation. The stakes in Panama were higher than they appeared on the surface, and the world was watching.

Meanwhile, Gran Colombia’s efforts to bolster its border defenses were met with logistical challenges. Supply lines were stretched thin, and the troops deployed to the Panamanian frontier faced rough terrain, unpredictable weather, and limited resources.

General Ibarra personally oversaw the fortification of key positions along the border. At one remote outpost, he stood with a group of officers, studying a map of the region spread across a rough wooden table.

"This is where the Amerathians are likely to concentrate their efforts," Ibarra said, pointing to the area near Colón. "It’s close to the canal route, and they’ll want to secure it quickly. We need to make sure they can’t advance beyond this point."

One of the younger officers, Captain Vargas, spoke up. "General, with all due respect, do we have enough men to hold this position if they attack? Their forces are far better equipped than ours."

Ibarra’s jaw tightened. "We may be outnumbered, but we have the advantage of knowing this terrain. If it comes to a fight, we’ll make them pay for every inch they try to take."

The officers exchanged uneasy glances but nodded in agreement.