By: Elina Palapattu

This morning, debate is heated in the South American Independence Committee. This committee is tasked with defeating Spanish powers in South America so that it may  exist without a large colonial power. Things are moving fast as multiple directives are introduced and the delegation of Britain drops in with surprising news. 

The day started off with a directive idea from Bernard O'higgins and Jose Felix Ribas: The directive on Porto Cabello and Coastal Venezuela. The directive proposes an attack on Porto Cabello (to retake the city) and cut off spanish supplies. This directive earned support from Simon Bolivar immediately. Manuel Belgrano also agreed, but says that in order for this to work a strong military is needed. 

Debate was suddenly interrupted as the delegation of Britain entered the room and offered support. However, all delegates were concerned by the terms. Britain offered their help and coordination in return for control on carribean islands and ports. The delegation of Britain also requested total economic control. This news left delegates shocked and suspicious. José Antonio Páez pointed out that this situation sounds identical to the situation Latin America was just in with Spain, and the situation they are fighting to get out of. Many delegates agreed that giving Britain economic power is a bad idea, however delegates disagree on whether to negotiate with Britain, or flat out decline their support. José Antonio Páez, Jose Felix Rebas, and Simon Bolivar believe that there is no harm in negotiating, but Bernard O’Higgins does not want to engage with Britain at all (at first). However, consensus among all delegates is that they cannot accept the Britain offer as is.

Two new directives are now in the works: Retreating Troops from Caracas and Spread the Propaganda Directive. The Retreating Troops from Caracas directive recognizes that the battle is no longer top priority, and the Propaganda directive spreads information about the Spanish that will instill fear among common people. These directives will continue to develop as time goes on!

More secret information was revealed as Manuela Saenz received a message that a sewer pipe is open, and this could lead to the Spanish to invading Porto Cabello. After debate between Saenz and Belgrano, delegates decided this information is not top priority, and instead introduced the Porto Cabello directive, which passed. Recently the Crisis Backroom came with more information: Latin America took a win against the Spanish in Porto Cabello, but now the Spanish are looking for a forced battle to take another port. The delegates are now preparing for battle.