The secret assistance, which also includes substantial eavesdropping help from the National Security Agency, is funded through a multibillion-dollar black budget. It is not a part of the public $9 billion package of mostly U.S. military aid called Plan Colombia, which began in 2000.
“Our national parks are under siege, some of the most pristine forests in Central America are being logged out, while exotic birds are being extracted,” says Belize’s ambassador to the U.S.
In 2004, Banana Azul co-owner Colin Brownlee thought he’d be hosting backpackers. But Internet marketing brought him fancier guests, and he’s been upgrading the property ever since.
