Word: greened
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...slaughter, they got no information from local villagers. Though many people heard and saw the shootings, none would admit it for fear of meeting a similar fate. The official conclusion: the incident was just another in a long line of vendettas among the thousands of emerald hunters afflicted with "green fever...
Like cocaine, quality emeralds are big and dangerous business in Colombia. The country produces no less than 90% of the world's supply of the precious green stones. Just as plentiful is the bloodshed caused by territorial fights among rival clans of guaqueros. Unlike the diamond-mining industry, which is tightly controlled by the South African cartel, De Beers Consolidated Mines, the Colombian emerald business is wide open. Though the government grants mining rights to production companies and nominally regulates the industry, the vast majority of emeralds are brought to market by independent, unregulated guaqueros. "There are no economic laws...
...stakes are growing larger all the time. In the past two years strong consumer demand has helped push up world emerald prices by almost 30%. A polished, top-grade deep green stone weighing one carat now typically costs $5,000 on the retail market. Colombia exports an estimated $40 million worth of emeralds annually, but that does not account for all the gems that are illegally smuggled out of the country. Both the mining companies and the government lose millions of dollars in revenue because of the unauthorized activities of the guaqueros...
...precautions, employee theft is common. Among the offenders are the uniformed security guards and soldiers that protect every mine. At night, they often change to civilian clothes and join the guaqueros for a little prospecting. That is yet another reason why Colombia has a thriving black market in the green gems...
...confined to a narrow chute, the mustang lays back her ears indignantly. Robinson, 28, tall and powerfully built, eases atop the animal, and she erupts in furious leaps. Fellow convicts pull Robinson to safety. Released into the corral, the mare kicks like a ninja assassin as cowboys in green prison garb shout and wave their Stetsons to keep her from banging into the fence. Robinson climbs on again and seconds later is bucked into the dust. Yet even a wild horse eventually tires. Another man mounts up, the mare crow-hops a bit, stiff-legged and snorting. But her fight...