He had been in San José for a week, having completed his negotiations with Raul Cordero-Vega, but not without a few concessions. ColeDiz International Ltd. had pledged a million dollars to support the preservation of Costa Rica’s rain forest. Interior Minister Raul Cordero-Vega was relentless in his demands. It was as if the retired colonel had taken perverse pleasure in making the heir apparent to ColeDiz International Ltd. wait two days before granting him an audience; then he would not concede to lowering the tariff for exports until Martin threatened to shut down production and withdraw all ColeDiz business dealings from the Central American nation. Martin’s call to Samuel Cole elicited a string of colorful expletives from the elder Cole who promised he would make Cordero-Vega pay for his dictatorial demands. “A million dollars is nothing compared to what ColeDiz will lose if we halt production before we’re able to set up in Belize,” Martin countered. “You’re right, Martin,”
