[Yaelle]

Just from a superficial perusal of Shango's cryptics, I find interesting that he sort of speaks to the Lions (the bad guys whom he says are using Joran as a scapegoat) to give up the body because the Cowboys (Americans) don't care about their drug trade, they aren't threatening that: they just want Natalee. Could be just a friend of Joran's with too much time on his hands, but it is weird that this Shango picks up on the netherworld of Aruba and understands that indeed, we just want Natalee back.

But the highly corrupt drug center of the Caribbean is no place I want to spend my vacation dollars. It doesn't seem like government or accountability has changed much there since the pirate days.

[maggief]

Good post.

[cajungirl]

Seems like the competing factions on the island are first the transnational criminals, second the corrupted government, third the local druggies and orgiers and the civil servants. The latter seem to be trying to have some sort of say with the former.

The place is a damned sewer. Some decent people are there but afraid of everything,,the government, the corrupt businesses, the local druggies. Damn, sounds like a new kind of hell.

[Malsua]

But the highly corrupt drug center of the Caribbean is no place I want to spend my vacation dollars

Seems like if this is a drug haven, that's enough of an excuse for a Warship to have some operations in the area. They can sit anchored about 5 miles out and present a nice profile for the folks of Oranjestad to gawk at. The message will be nice and clear.

Now, for one missing person, this is not something I'm suggesting. For an ongoing drug detection and interdiction operation or drills, this is a fine reason. The WOD must be won dontchaknow.