I agree...I never thought Van der Straaten was a power player. I think he is bought and paid for by someone in power. As to the Mansurs and Contreras clans...they are the island power and have been for a very long time.
"As to the Mansurs and Contreras clans...they are the island power a have been for a very long time."
And where do the Posners fit it? Maggief (?) reported that Joran worked as a dealer at the excelsior. And he had a line of credit. Was that with legitimate money, or does PVDS have something to do with dirty money? It's been established that Joran was 'a lousy gambler,' yet he had worked as a dealer??? Hmmmm...