It was a Standard bridge jump plan for Felix. Access the superstructure during the early morning darkness, wait until sunrise, jump, land in a boat that I was to position under the 110m object, then speed off to meet the press for interviews ala “Felix Style”.
It was a nice plan. But things went differently.
As I was marking the reference point for the boat position on my GPS in the early morning twilight whilst under the “Puente De Las Americas” bridge, The Panama Canal Guard boat hailed us with a Flashing blue lights, bullhorn and AK47 Machine guns.
A scene from Apocalypse Now flashes through my mind. Scared kids were manning the mounted automatic weapons on the guard boat. Harsh Spanish dialogue ensued. Within seconds we were forced to present our passports, and were being interrogated. Moments later the boat was searched as we remained at gunpoint. El Capitan de la Guardia asked repeatedly, “What are you doing here?” He wanted to know desperately “What are you doing at the entrance to the Panama Canal at 5am on the eve of September 11?”
After they had carefully noted our critical data in an official police notebook, we were commanded to vamoose! without delay. We sped away with the Panama Canal Port Authority boat pacing us for awhile. The machine guns remained trained on us, keeping our anxiety level maxed. Eventually they veered off and allowed us to consider our next move. Upon hearing our plight, topside Felix opted for Plan B which was to exit to the side of the Canal rather than the center, selecting a rocky embankment for a LZ. I positioned the boat in the marina as close to the LZ as possible in case a water rescue would be necessary.
The exit part of Plan B went off without a hitch, as well as the landing. But then our biggest problem came speeding back along the water. It seemed our friends had been watching and waiting. Five guards with machine guns captured Felix and 2 photographers promptly. We´re thinking, “Unfortunate, but hey, this crap happens. Trespassing charges. No big deal.”
Wrong!
There was an anti-terrorist task force preparedness training at this site, 100% of the force employed for the anniversary of 9-11. The bridge is apparently a Top 10 international target. The PTJ (Panamanian FBI) was brought in. Felix may now be charged with Endangering National Security. This could mean 1-6 years in a Panamanian prison if found guilty. The court date is set for Monday.
My translator calls me and tells me to move to another hotel immediately, or I might get nabbed. Federal agents are looking for any evidence of the jump – film, maps, compasses, videos, accomplices – to confiscate and possibly use for the trial.
My new room is on the top floor, overlooking a LZ, 100 meters over downtown Panama City. The unlocked exit door to the roof is adjacent. I am packed for a low freefall. Life goes on.
In the meantime, Felix` caper has attracted not only the interest of local media, but we´re also told, the US State Dept. Media and some fans begin to gather outside the PTJ HQ. Cameras are poised for live coverage of the criminal in handcuffs. Moments later, he emerges to the flash of cameras and cheers… Monday at court will be different.
I suspect they will confront me on my way out of the country at the airport.
Please think about your jumps in the upcoming weeks. Don’t make the present government look stupid on the eve of an election. You will pay.
Take care,
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Originally Posted by QuickDraw
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