If you owned a business, and you were approached by thugs demanding "protection money" with threats on your employees ( and you ) if not paid and after reflection, you knew the government was powerless to help:

once you decide, give me feedback on this
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news story

Would depend on how serious the thugs were, how much money they wanted, how much money you're making etc.

Generally I wouldn't take to kindly to that sort of intimidation but you would have to take a lot of factors into consideration.

Good call, Darrin.

The 'higher power' is my idealistic answer, but how do I know my local representative isn't on the take? I also don't get the value of that choice if the government is powerless. How does that work?

I wonder if one could give them an initial payment, stage an attack on yourself or a willing employee, and demand your money back.

I'm somewhat sorry to say it, but I'd probably pay---I mean, I've always instructed my employees to give up the money and faint in the event of a robbery--i realize this is different, but the point is made: its hard to put other people's lives at risk when you are a business owner.

Also, I think I'm thinking about you and what's best for you; you don't have the "protections" of the US of A behind you and I'm not even sure they let you have a Peacemaker down there.

I realize its a TV show, but do you think Tony Soprano would go for something like that?

Yea, they'd probably double your coverage policy, and charge you twice as much for the added 'protection' you obviously need.

This would make a good plot for a Soprano's episode, actually. We should all colaborate, and donate the money to the Beachy Protection Front.

This link doesn't work for me.

Corrected link:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070315/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/terrorism_bananas_26;_ylt=AnmZAXdwyzPDLb33JufjFHqWwvIE

Yeah, since I originally posted; I heard about this banana thing on Imus; tough break d00dz.

my gut reaction is, if you give them what they want, they just end up wanting more later.

Jihad.com

The online battle for hearts and minds.

Yeah, I'd need more detail to make a call on this one.

How serious are the people extorting you? How much they want? Also, do you really think paying the money would get them off your back? Or, are they just gonna come knockin' real soon if you pay up this time?

Also, maybe the local cop won't be able to help, but if these guys are really serious, there hasd to be someone looking to take 'em down. You may not wanna get that involved, but they're bound to be on someone's radar. (OK...just realized that you are in Belize, so maybe this is much different)

the question is way too vague...i went with this though

call in the higher power. Like a legislator or senate, risking your people but seeking justice

Hard to say...if you're a small biz owner, I'd confer with neighboring businesses to see what the lay of the land is. Especially overseas where there may be no "higher authority", you may just be staring at a cost of doing business.

As for Chiquita, if the US Govt. won't step in to provide protection, and if pulling up stakes is really not an option, I side with the "pay and protect" crowd.

CE, you need to sell the restaurant and move back to America. Living your dream is no longer worth it, once it turns into a nightmare.