(Open to diplomatic responses, news reports, general non-military reactions. For any response of a military nature, please reach out via Telegram and discuss it with me before posting. Also feel free to reach out with questions or ideas.)
The sun was climbing into the sky when Ramon Zarate approached the church in the town of San Theodoros. Outside the building, which was made of weathered yellow-white bricks, there was a line of portraits, each one centered in a wreath of flowers. The line stretched all the way from the doors of the church down to the end of the block, on both sides. The tall, wiry man strode into the church, shoving aside the doors with his calloused hands.
In the atrium, the deacon tried to block Ramon’s path. “These people are here to grieve,” he said in a harsh whisper. “You would taint their mourning with your politics?”
“I would tell them what they need to hear,” Ramon replied. “Out of my way.” He pushed the deacon to one side and strode into the nave, where the pews were packed full of people - men, women, children, all dressed in somber clothing. The priest was in the middle of the Mass, but he fell silent as Ramon marched up to the altar.
“Father Corbelán,” Ramon said to the priest. “Forgive my intrusion, but I must speak.”
The priest, Roman Corbelán, said nothing in reply, but merely nodded and gestured. Ramon Zarate turned and faced the crowd.
“Friends! Brothers! Sisters! You have gathered here today to mourn. Your hearts are filled with sadness. I am here to exhort you to turn that sadness into rage! Why are these men dead? Because José Sotillo decided that it was better to line his own pockets, instead of making sure the mine was safe! Because the inspector took a bribe and walked away without even going down into the mine! Because they consider you nothing more than stupid beasts, to do all the work and get nothing but the stick! I ask you, will you allow this to continue? Or will you join me, and free yourselves? Will you drive out the wicked and the greedy? Will you restore the honor of your ancestors who fought for freedom?”
The church was filled with anxious murmurs, quiet conversations, angry agreement. They were being swayed by Ramon’s message.
“Then I say this,” he continued. “Mourn your dead. Pay your respects. But when you walk out of this church, I will be waiting. Let every man who still dares to be a man, not a beaten animal, join me!”
* * *
When the funeral service ended, true to his word, Ramon Zarate was waiting outside the church. And not just by himself - there were two hundred men, who he had recruited along the way to San Theodoros, waiting with him, along with a truck full of weapons.
“Who will fight?” Ramon asked of the crowd who spilled out of the church. “Who will defend their rights? Who will defend their homes? Who will defend their honor?”
One of Ramon’s lieutenants shouted, “Down with the owners! Down with the landlords! Death to the corrupt!”
Enough men and women stepped forward that they ran out of guns to arm them. Ramon Zarate told them to be patient - there would be guns for everyone soon. They swept through the town like a tidal wave. The mayor called out the police, but they were smashed and scattered. The local garrison of the Guardia mustered, but they were nothing but a band of abusive drunks who only knew how to crack the skulls of strikers or frighten peasants off land desired by the rich. Against this sudden and unexpected uprising they were worthless. Those who did not throw off their uniforms and flee were swiftly defeated.
By the time the sun was at its zenith, the entire town had fallen.
* * *
Rumors of revolt in western Guyamura
By Ramon Feliz, independent reporter
DATELINE SAN LORENZO – News arrived in the capital this morning of a large revolt among the mine workers of the central-western State of Pucara. Just a few days ago there was a terrible incident at a zinc mine in Pucara. A collapse in an underground portion of the mine led to the deaths of more than two dozen miners. There was widespread anger at the mine’s owner, but also at the local government officials who had certified the mine as safe.
According to the reports, the revolting miners have seized the town of San Theodoros, which is located near the border with the State of Itacua. There have been reports of unrest among the farm workers of Itacua as well. If the farmers also rise up, the combined rebel forces could threaten two of Guyamura’s most economically valuable regions - the zinc and silver mines of Pucara and the coffee plantations of Itacua.
When asked for comment, Minister of the Interior Patricio Mendez said, “These reports of rebellion in the State of Pucara have been drastically exaggerated. There have been a few minor instances of civil disturbance, no doubt caused by anti-social forces exploiting this moment of grief for their own selfish, destructive ends. I have assured El Presidente that the situation is under control.”
El Presidente José Avellanos recently hosted a group of foreign business executives in the Presidential Palace in San Lorenzo, where he touted the benefits of investing in Guyamura. “Guyamura was once known for its instability, but that is a thing of the past,” he told his guests. “Today, Guyamura is open for business!”