Control of the Panama Canal is the difference between free trade and chaos in world markets. So when Panamanian President Rafael Botero asks for a show of support, his old friend President Jack Ryan can't turn down an invitation to visit the country, but what seems like an ordinary opportunity to preach the values of democracy quickly turns into a nightmare when a full-blown coup d'etat erupts. In Washington, the Vice President is coordinating a military response, but there's still one more obstacle. The ruthless criminal organization known as the Camarilla have had their tentacles deep inside the plot to overthrow the government. All of their hard work has just presented them with an unexpected opportunity they can't resist-the chance to kill President Jack Ryan.