[center][h3]Colonel Jose "Pepe" Caraballo, Minister of Industry[/h3][/center]

[b]January 6th, 2021[/b]

[b]Minister of Industry Pepe's Office, São Cristovão[/b]

Pepe sat at his desk, pouring over a map of Melizea, planning potential moves for the coming year. Whilst 2020 had seen the Ministry of Industry do fairly well, unfortunately a gaff by the Ministry of Transport had resulted in some unintended events in the nation. The officer frowned subtly as he recounted the losses incurred by that misunderstanding.

A knock at his door, to which Pepe welcomed, "Come in." Lieutenant Juarez's head, a scrawny tree of a man, peered in, "Colonel, the first COVID-19K mutation was reported by the Arkanians."

Much of the color flushed from Colonel Pepe's face, "Juarez, you're certain?" Juarez solemnly nodded, causing his superior to take in a long, deep breath. As Pepe exhaled, he brought his fingers to his temples, "Lord, give Melizea the strength to pull through what comes ahead. This goddamn disease will probably be spreading rampantly here within weeks or God forbid, days... Return to what you were doing, Juarez."

After the man had left, the Colonel leaned back, looking once more at the map of Melizea. In Pepe's mind, there seemed only one solution. It was a hard pill to swallow, but now was probably the last moment Melizea would get to attempt to cut itself off from the world and this new disease. The Colonel picked up the phone and dialed the President's Office. A secretary answered, "The President is not immediately available. Can I take a message?"

Pepe took a breath, "Yes, please ensure he listens to the actual recording of this call. [i]Prrrresidente[/i] Saavedra, this is Colonel Caraballo, Minister of Industry. It was reported today by the Arkanians that the first COVID-19K infection was confirmed in their nation. Considering how incredibly rapidly this new disease has spread, I believe it is mathematically certain that this disease will hit our nation within weeks, maybe days. I genuinely believe it is in the best, long-term interest of the nation to close the borders immediately. Or if not immediately, consider ordering the Secret Police, Army, Air Force, and Navy to move quickly to secure the routes into the nation by land, sea, and air, before an official announcement in order to get ahead of the likely panicked movements of peoples and goods. Please let me know by communication or official announcement your plan or opinion with regards to this matter. Thank you."

The Colonel had little idea what the President's opinion on this matter was, but he hoped they would soon find out.

[hider=Summary]Colonel Pepe personally urges the President by message to close the borders. [@Lauder][/hider]