The PCG’s 13th President, Antonio “Tony” Careca, born Juan Antonio De Oliveira-Guzman, has passed away at the age of 214 (b. 4627 - d. 4841)
The first Terran President of the Corporation, he began his career as a translator and interpreter to the governing body’s Terran CEO, before become the Corporations official envoy to the Free City of Manaus, and become a popular figure in South America
Originally groomed as an intended replacement for the Terran CEO, his popularity saw him become a serious candidate for Presidency and his election results confirmed this, with a large majority that saw him become the first Terran to hold the presidency of the Corporation
His tenure has been one of steady growth and consolidation, as the PCG has expanded beyond Sol, to the Trappist 1 & Teegardens systems, establishing extra-solar colonies, as our mining interests continue to expand and diversify (including an additional 200-year contract for mining rights from the Holy State, at Struve 2398), allowing us to scale back on mining operations within Sol, and focus on other industries. Among these industries is Agriculture.
Traditional means of agriculture are now almost impossible given the impact of the Founding Tree Rainforest. This has necessitated the ongoing cultivation of selected crops that now serve us as efficiently as our former agricultural methods used to. Furthermore, the conversion of rocky asteroid husks into terrariums, has allowed us to surpass previous production output, negating the need for large scale food imports.
Though we still plan to import foreign produce, the demand for it has waned considerably since the devastation wrought by the Tsunami, which saw the demise of our last traditional agricultural communities and the partial abandonment of Berrynopolis, the Corporations “second-city”.
In addition to the Tsunami resulting from terrorist attacks against our planetary neighbours, much work has been done behind the scenes to create a Martian defence system, similar to the Mobian-controlled “Hadrian”, that would ensure this kind of attack could never happen again. The project is still ongoing, but the president has asked that his successor make this shield-wall a reality sooner rather than later.
In response to recent criticisms over the Corporations silence on the situation in Asteria, President Careca had this to say, in his final speech as President…
“A people must choose their own path, we can only choose whether or not to walk it with them. The Corporation has walked side by side with Asteria through many trails and tribulations. We did not turn away then and were rewarded with a long and fruitful relationship during ‘the long-peace’, as it has come to be known.
The present situation is indeed troubling, but these are troubles the people must be allowed to find their own solutions to, just as a parent needs to allow their child to make their own choices and even mistakes, however hard that may be for us to watch sometimes.
The loss of democracy is point of contention that doesn’t sit well with many and on this, I would ask that the Holy State strive to find a way to restore a democratic voice to their people, and ask that they reconsider some of their more extreme actions and rhetoric, before they risk doing far more harm than you have done good, both to your people and to your relationship with the next president of the PCG.
My successor is unlikely to share the same warmth of relationship with your nation that I have, unless of course you can give him with something to warm to. I sincerely hope that you can, and that you do“.
President Careca has passed away and accepted a rebirth as part of his retirement plan. He has been given a new body and a new identity, in order to live out his second life in anonymity.
The funeral, marking his first death, took place in Cali, Colombia, with members of his family present. As is the culture, his head was removed and cremated, to be added to the family ashes beneath the hearth of the family home. His body was buried with seeds, to provide new life to the earth and marked with a memorial plaque.
Those who wish to pay their respects are free to visit the site of his burial and tend to the plants.
Presidential candidates are currently being assessed before campaigning begins, with general elections to follow shortly.
The enemies of my enemies are not necessarily my friend, but they may still be useful.
Member of the Classicists.