1990:
Start of the first Central American Conflict. U.S. engages in
interventionist actions in Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El
Salvador. Military forces are sent to secure the Canal Zone from an
ex-U.S. puppet dictator.1,8,9
The US-EEC "Quiet War" begins. It will
last until 1994.11
Jonathan Meta participates in
"Operation Blind Faith," attempting to control the Panama Canal Zone.9
1991:
CHOOH2 developed by Biotechnica.1,8
1992:
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency
develops and spreads several designer
plagues worldwide, targeting coca and opium plants.1,8
Governments of Chile and Ecuador
collapse.1
A savage drug war breaks out between
EuroCorp-backed dealers and the DEA all over the Americas.1
Coup
attempt in Venezuela fails, its leader, Hugo Chavez, assassinated in
prison shortly after.
1993:
AV-4 aerodyne assault vehicle
developed to deal with increasing riots in U.S. urban zones.1,8
Colombian druglords detonate small
tactical nuclear device in New York City on
December 7th.
The bomb is detonated in the middle of the work week, destroying
Carnegie Hall and Rockefeller Center, and gutting U.N. Headquarters. At
least 15,000 killed are killed in the initial blast. Thousands more die
and local government collapses over the next week as the city is
abandoned. 1,2,8
1994:
World stock market crash
of `94. U.S. economy teeters, then collapses. Other industrialized
nations scramble for bigger markets and cheaper labor. EEC countries
are not as hard hit as the rest of the west, due to internal trade. SEA
countries thrive.1,6,8,9,11
1995
Earthquake destroys Mexico City.
Cenapa
War between Peru and Ecuador erupts over long disputed border conflict
in the Condor Mountain range, the situation is slow simmering but
erupts into major conflict in 1998, and ends with total occupation of
Ecuador by Peruvian and Columbian forces.
1996:
The collapse of the United States.
Weakened by losses in world stock
crash, overwhelmed by unemployment, homelessness and corruption, many
city governments collapse or go bankrupt. The U.S. government, snarled
in a staggering deficit and the machinations of the Gang of Four, is
totally ineffective.1,9
On August 17th, U.S. President and
Vice
President are assassinated in separate incidents. With the Speaker of
the House undergoing cardiac bypass surgery, the Senate President Pro
Tem refuses to assume the presidency. Secretary of Defense Jonathan
Seward, as ranking member of the executive branch, suspends the
constitution and declares martial law. The "Gang of Four" (NSA, CIA,
FBI, and DEA) operate with near total autonomy within the U.S. federal
government.
Most of the U.S. military personell in Japan and
Korea are withdrawn to the American mainland. 6
United
States pulls all resources out of South America, In Panama a small
military contingent and a skeleton crew of civilian contractors remain
to act in an advisory capacity, but the actual defense and maintenance
of the Panama Canal is turned over to Panama.
Royal
Dutch Shell discovers oil near the Falkand Islands
1997:
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff forms the MIC (Military
Intelligence Cooperative) in an attempt to deal with the vast amount of
duplication among the nine intel agencies in the U.S. military. The
Gang of Four, assuming this act signals the discovery of its actions,
begins sabotage efforts by delaying or withholding vital intel.8
The MIC, under the direction of de
facto President Seward, begins investigation of the Gang of Four.8
In the U.S., COGs (Combined Operation
Groups) are formed; U.S. military reorganizes.8
Rumors
abound of Castro's pancreatic cancer; he doesn't recover and dies of
complications. Many generals in the Castro government claim it was a
CIA assassination.
Due to
the Mid-East meltdown, Venezuela is now the largest oil supplier in the
world.
Chiles
Military Commander-In-Chief, and former president, Pinochet overthrows
the Chilean govt. and proclaims himself President for life.
1998:
The Drought of `98 reduces most of the
Midwest to parched grasslands.
Between AgriBusiness Corps. and drought, the family farm all but
disappears. American food exports end. To stabilize the New Central
Europe (NCE) governments, the EEC ships food into major East European
cities.1,11
The "Nights of Fire" (KGB coup) take
place in the
USSR. The Russian Mafia, supported by KGB splinter groups, increases
its efforts to expand into the EEC. This is countered by EuroPol, which
begins its own "Shadow War" against organized crime in foreign
countries.11
Cartel
leader Diego Macheza elected president of Bolivia, immediately
legalizes and legitimizes cocaine-production.
Colombia,
and Bolivia form the South American Alliance, quickly bringing Peru
into the fold and forcing Ecuador to join as well. The Alliance is a
conglomeration of Cartel controlled countries opposing the United
States.
Haleys
Dream incident, RN sinks Argentinian fishing vessel while on patrol in
Drakes Passage.
Hurricane
Mitch devastates Honduras
1999:
Panama,
overburdened by the cost of defending the Canal, which is losing money
hand over fist due to the inability to handle Post-Panamax class
superships, again turns to the U.S. for military defense of the Canal
and to fund the canals expansion to handle the larger vessels. Work
begins immediately.
2000:
U.S. President Seward is killed with
touring the country. He is
replaced by General William Newell, the current Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff.8
The Aldecaldo Clan begins the
reconstruction of Mexico City.9
2001:
After
removing the corrupt regime in a bloodless coup, Jesus Espinoza of the
newly formed Mexican Restoration party sweeps the presidential
elections in a landslide victory, his party begins purging the
corruption from the Mexican government. In a bold move, he also
banishes all foreign corporations from the country for six years. Under
his leadership, Mexico emerges from the collapse stronger than anyone
could have imagined.
Suriname
hit by the Wasting plague, with little access to the cure, its effects
are devastating, killing 2 thirds of the population and leaving the
country little more than a graveyard. Similar tragedies brought on by
the plague occur all over Central and South America. The Caribbean is
hit worst of all, with roughly 1 to 4 million lives estimated lost to
the disease.
British-Argentinian crisis in 2000 over
territorial dispute of the Falkland islands, after brief stand-off
dispute quickly pacified, events lead directly to increased Euro
Presence in the area, as well as arms European arms given sold at cut
rate to Argentina.
2002:
Food crash; mutated plant virus wipes
out Canadian, Australian, and
Soviet wheat crops. U.S. AgriBusiness crops survive due to new
biological counteragent. U.S.S.R. accuses U.S. of biological warfare.
Northern China becomes deserted and Southern China's population
explodes as everyone from the wheat-growing north flees to the
embattled, rice-growing south. Southern China, Japan, Thailand, and
Vietnam make record profits exporting rice, seafoods, and synthetic
foodstuffs.1,6,8,9
Huge sections of the Pacific
Northwest are tilled over to farmland. The Jodes go back to
agricultural labor for a time.9
In an effort to decrease Spanish
influence in the country, the
Portuguese government contracts all police and defense services to two
foreign corporations: Amazonian Security and Arasaka. This "Sell Out"
initially does not concern the EC.11
The PLA forms a bio-research center
to try and neutralize the Food Crash plague.6
October
8th, rebels storm an EDF guarded warehouse in Kingston Jamaica, killing
several EDF soldiers and stealing large amounts of the Wasting Plague
Vaccine. The situation quickly escalates into armed confrontations
between rebels and EDF forces sent to bring peace to the country.
2003:
Venezuela
erupts into civil war
Second Central American war. U.S.
invades Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and
Venezuela. The war is a disaster that costs thousands of American
lives.1,8,9
Many EEC weapons manufacturers record
giant profits selling weapons to South American governments.11
WNS media star Tesla Johanneson
exposes secret NSA transcripts of the First Central American
Conflict.1,8
A cyber enhanced Special Forces Unit,
codenamed The Jackhammers,
consisting of 20 volunteers, is introduced into the Central American
theater, to carry out "proactive" operations against the various drug
cartels.... During the year, they are functional, they carry out 18
successful "Black" operations in the field. However, they're also used
to beta-test experimental Combat Drugs & Cyberware. As a result,
they become increasingly Cyberpsychotic, & are "Withdrawn" from the
field. This is effectively imprisonment, in a continental U.S military
facility. In addition to this, due to the novelty of the situation,
they're effectively treated as "Lab rats" by the scientific personnel
at the facility, & as such, are given no treatment for their
psychological problems. As a result, they make a escape attempt, which
is successful, but at the cost of 2 of the team's lives....16
Guantánamo
Bay Naval Base becomes base of operations in 2nd SouthAm war, in Cuba.
Governor-General
of Jamaica assassinated, soon after, the Cedar Valley Massacre of
Jamaican protesters by EDF troops is caught on tape and broadcast
worldwide. Under threat of American intervention, Europe withdraws
completely from Jamaica. Jamaica declares itself completely independent.
2004:
Tesla Johanneson assassinated in
Cairo.1,8
The Gang of Four is wiped out in an
Army-CIA counter-coup.1,8
Golden Triangle drug plantations
nearly wiped out by DEA virus attack.6
2006:
The
US liberates Ecuador from the South American Alliance and all Cartel
forces are driven out of the country, this is seen as one of the United
Sates few unquestionable victories in the conflict.
2006:
Full cyberlimbs are now in use with
all U.S. military forces.8
2007
Chilean
dictator President Pinochet, is assassinated. Under a wave of suspicion
his right hand man Juan Contreras assumes power, eliminating all
pre-text of democracy.
2008:
The
joint conglomeration of Biotechnica, Arasaka, EBM, SOVOil, Multi-foods,
and Net54 collectively fund the campaign of presidential candidate Juan
Imez, while simultaneously smearing his opponents to such a degree that
his win is a sure thing. After he wins they use this political
influence to virtually stage a hostile takeover of the country.
CIA
forces mobilize agents to Cuba to try and control the government
forces, forcing a pro-American regime. Street protests begin in Havana,
orchestrated by both Hardliners and CIA plants, riots occur in some
areas.
2009:
Crystal
Palace failed assault, CIA review board planned by Washington.
2010:
End of Second Central American
Conflict. The U.S. government, almost
totally bankrupt, simply maroons half a million nomad workers and
so-called "civilian contractors" in South America. They begin the "Long
Walk" back to the U.S. A little over 10% are still alive with they
reach the States in 2011-2012. 1,8,9
Purging
occurs of spies in Cuba. Havana Massacre occurs.
The
Panama Canal is overtaken by mercenaries during the long walk. The
canal expansion project, now 78% complete loses all funding from U.S.
bringing work to a complete halt. This move is seen as a major
embarrassment to the U.S.
2011:
A large group of renegade "civilian
contractors," under the leadership
of John Meta, hijack several ships and an abandoned oil platform in the
Gulf of Mexico. Pirates call the flotilla MetaKey.9
Raul
Castro extends offer to the EU to get around U.S. embargo.
Juan
Macheza declares himself President for Life in Bolivia.
2012:
EU
gives Cuba trading rights and is put on trial basis for induction into
the EU.
Shamus Mandrake unites the rogue islands of the Caribbean under his
flag, the Islas De La Sangre, the largest confederation of pirates in
history, is born.
2013:
Treat-Davies Act is signed,
re-establishing diplomatic relations with most Central and South
American countries.
The rebuilding of Mexico City is
completed.9
The years 2013-2014 are called "the
Tribulations" by the nomad
community. The combination of a more competitive nomad economy and the
influx of new nomads from the Long Walk leads to increased government
attention (and pressure).9
Panama
and the Mercenaries controlling the Canal reach an agreement with the
EEC, who agrees to fund the completion of the canals expansion. The
mercenaries controlling the canal receive funding and supples from the
EEC, and are legitimized as the Independent Canal Military Forces.
2014:
Vatican III: neo-Catholic Reformation.
Celibacy is abolished and women
may finally be ordained priests. In Poland, the Church of Poland is
founded, splitting off from the Vatican. Various splinter-sects form
world wide in response.8,11
Brazil
outlaws all combat cybernetics and any cyber which exceeds human
ability.
2015:
In
Colombia, Bogota finally falls to Control of the Medellin Cartel, The
head of the cartel is rumored to have taken over the Cathedral of
Bogota as his own private headquarters. In Response the Cali cartel
head takes the isolated cathedral at Narino as its own stronghold. In
Colombia, Cartegena is now the only city left with any semblance of
government.
Cuban
military modernizes. CIA renews interest in Cuba.
Nanite
Disassembler tragedy in Torreon Mexico, resulting in 80+ dead, and the
permanent banning of Biotechnica from Mexican soil.
Venezuela
captures and executes an EDF spy on international television.
Venezuela
invades Guyana, claiming all lands west of the Essequibo river,
settling the decades long border dispute militarily while the rest of
the world was too busy to notice.
2016:
Cartels
in Cuba, media scandal. Raul Castro dies. Cuba becomes Democratic.
2017:
Arasaka
absorbs Amazonian Securities in a hostile takeover, completely
replacing them in their home country of Brazil, but in a brilliant move
allowing them to operate independently in Portugal to ease public
reaction.
Corporate
privatization of Cuban government resources. Street protests begin by
Cuban citizens.
2018:
Illegal
cyber clinics and drug bars open up throughout Cuba.
2019:
Expansion
of the Canal is complete. In a brazen move, the Independent Canal
Military Forces controlling the Canal close their doors to all U.S.
bound ships, forcing them to reroute all the way around South America.
The United States tries negotiation, leading to a 6 month stalemate,
culminating in the U.S. declaring War on the I.C.M.F. in late November.
Street
wars divide parts of Cuba and foreign business suffers routine attacks
from Cuban revolutionaries.
Northern
Nicaragua and Guatemala join the SAA (South American Alliance).
Intelligence reports that SAA representatives are actively in
negotiations with El Salvador, Venezuela, and the ICMF controlling the
Panama Canal.
2020:
Euro
Navy operating in the region of Drake's Passage, arrests a Panama's
banner freighter, carrying a number of chemical WMD containers (note: a
port of origin, possibly in S.America, required) destined to Africa.
Whereas the cause itself is just, the event goes widely publicised
worldwide, and it becomes clear for everyone that Euros have an
possibility of blocking this tight spot completely. US gov. protests
against "European military presence in the Antarctican waters", calling
the old UN treaty on demilitarization of Antarctica as their backing.
December
28,
Third Central American Conflict begins. Ostensibly an attempt by the
U.S. provisional government to crush the rise of new drug lords and
their "designer" synthetic drug labs, and
once again retake the Panama Canal. This rapidly becomes a corporate circus,
with the jungles of Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Peru,
Bolivia, Guatemala,
Columbia, and Venezuela being used as showrooms for the latest in
military hardware. Hundreds of locals die every month in what are
termed "raids on drug cartel strongholds and sympathizers."
Bibliography:
1. CP2020 Rulebook, pages 176-179.
2. Corporation Report 2020, Vol. 1,
pages 9-10, 47-50.
3. Corporation Report 2020, Vol. 2,
pages 7-9, 43-44.
4. Corporation Report 2020, Vol. 3,
pages 4-9, 12-14, 50-53.
5. Deep Space, pages 6-9.
6. Pacific Rim Sourcebook, pages 7-8,
44, 60, 84, 110-111.
7. Land of the Free, pages 8-9.
8. Home of the Brave, pages 6-7,
105-114, 131-132.
9. Neo Tribes, pages 6-8.
10. Rache Bartmoss' Guide to the Net,
page 8.
11. Eurosource Plus, pages 29-30, 52,
96, 118.
12. Rough Guide to the UK, pages
pg.3, 5-6, 17, 21, 26, 61, 117, 118, 121.
13. Protect and Serve, page 59.
14. Night City, pages 33-34.
15. Live & Direct, pages 38,
40-42, 42-43,
16. V3 Cyberpunk gangbook
WRITTENBY
Deric "Wisdom000" Bernier
Myself
Citizen X
Mike Van Atta
Cernig
Stray Catalyst
Psychophipps
Companero
Destecado
Dog Soldier
Mort
Bookwyrm
Ash
Hooplah
Cameron "Bonedaddy" Jacobs
Additional Contributors:
* Scott A. Edwards