French troops, supported by Antioquia, remove U.S., U.K. merchants from Gran Colombia, prompting widespread condemnation

  THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE

French troops, supported by Antioquia, remove U.S., U.K. merchants from Gran Colombia, prompting widespread condemnation

French troops have landed in Antioquia at the request of the local administration, removing merchants from other countries from the province by choice. Rumours abound of a backchannel arrangement between the French and the government, in exchange for French support of a company helmed by the local government. The French have already begun exploiting, on a wide scale, the resources of Antioquia, setting up mines that have ruined much of the existing environment of Antioquia. Now, it appears as if they have taken on a more expansive role in the administration of Antioquia, helping expel merchants from other countries, including the U.S. and U.K. 

The U.S. Ambassador to France sent a harshly worded communique to the French government condemning these actions, and requesting an immediate halt to the actions of French soldiers - something the French government has manifestly rejected. The French government has instead suggested that the Americans stop assuming dominance of the Americas, and has suggested that they are merely acting to protect a free state. Condemnation has also been expressed of the government in Antioquia, which has been suggested as acting against the will of the larger Gran Colombia.

In other news, rumours abound in Antioquia of a growing movement, seemingly natural of the people of the region, using the slogan “Liberte, Egalite, Loyal”. It is not sure what their aims are and who controls them, but some have suggested the possibility of foreign or other state influence. Some are even looking abroad, suggesting that countries like Belgium or France might be controlling these movements.