Jeff’s first article about me was a piece in National Geographic Explorer about my flying adventures in New Mexico. He stayed with us for a week or so and went flying/camping with my pilot friends and I as part of his stay. One of those friends was a beautiful young woman named Goldy Ivashkov.
The first day he arrived he ended up spending the night with her. While camping, their intimacy was flaunted to the point that around the campfire, the lap-sitting, face kissing, fondling was so intense that I jokingly and loudly said “somebody get pictures of this to send to his wife in case we get a bad story from him”. It was a joke. I joke a lot.
Unfortunately, many pictures were taken and, as I am told, his wife did receive some. I had nothing to do with it. I could care less about who sleeps with whom, or where, or how — as long as it’s not in my own bed while I’m trying to sleep. Well, to be honest, not even in the same room while I’m trying to sleep. Barring that, nothing could concern me less.
Jeff however, I truly believe, thinks that I sent the photos to his wife. If I had done so, then I would deserve whatever wrath he chose to mete out. But seriously, it’s not my style. And if his mistaken suspicion is not the reason for his bulldog approach to sniffing out my life then I can’t even guess at what twisted motives move this man.
The net result of his stories, however, has made my life appear much darker than the mere “eccentricity” that most people, including myself, ascribe to me.
Then there’s Wired Magazine.
Josh Davis approached me about five months ago with the idea of doing an in-depth story. Seemed like a good idea at the time. I should have been suspicious when the photographer showed up near the end of the process two weeks ago and asked me to take off my shirt and hold a shotgun.
This is not something I normally do – I mean, walk half naked around my property holding a shotgun – but then, creative artwork often uses strange compositions to make a point. Of the thousands of photos taken, the one with me half naked, wearing sunglasses and caressing a shotgun, made the headline.
Why choose that one? Well, it sells.
I could go on, and will at later point, but I need to tell my story. I will have to tell it in short increments because I have limited and intermittent access to a computer and the Internet. I am on the run, remember. Consider this introduction the first chapter.
SELECTED COMMENTS
John McAfee on November 17, 2012 at 10:05 pm said:
The Bluelight thread was the result of a bet. The mythical drug “MDPV Tan” was all over Bluelight a few years ago and it was obvious that it was a made up story that had became an enduring myth. It was ripe for the plucking. I pretended to have re-discovered it and gave complex, bogus instructions for how to create it. Any chemist could have seen the hilarity of what I was doing. My bet was that I could create a thread with 1,000 posts, and I won the bet. It is a high point, at least for me, among my never ending practical jokes and complex bets.
Travis Holub on November 18, 2012 said:
Hi John,
I have been reading about your plight and asked Viktor if I could get your email address to try to give you my point of view. I lived in Belize for 12 years, full time, with no other gringos around, and built a resort on an isolated island in the middle of the ocean without much help, so maybe you should listen to some of my advice for you. First of all, you are misinterpreting Belize. Nobody wants to kill you. You are worth more to everyone alive than dead. Belizean politicians are all money hungry and that is what they want.
You made a huge mistake when you came to Belize by not laying low and being very low key. You gave away a bunch of money to the Coast Guard, bought police supplies, etc. and that is translated into their language as a guilty person, probably a narcotrafficker, trying to buy them off.
It would have been perfect if you were a narcotrafficker and they would have let you keep doing that if you were and they would even have helped you in any way that they could. But you confused the issue by NOT giving to the party in power and then opening up your lab in the jungle and hiring gangsters to give you security. That sent very conflicting signals to them.
They saw you as a narcotrafficker who was setting up shop right in front of their eyes and who did not want to play by the rules. They had to nail you at that point because you had paid them off before but were no longer paying them off, and you were definitely looking very suspicious to them.
Belizeans do not understand the concept of innocence. We are all guilty of something and they are less hypocritical about things than you are. They go straight to the heart of the matter and get down to business. If it walks like a duck and quacks like one, then it must be one.
So you got the reputation right off the bat and then tried to pull a fast one in their mind by not paying off properly. In the US you had to pay off the IRS and lots of lawyers all the time just to stay safe. In Belize you will have to pay off two or three high ranking politicians and you can bargain with them. That is the beauty of Belize.
If you come into the scene with lots of money and act rich, they will make you pay. What you actually should have done when you got to Belize is tell them that you wanted a bunch of government land titled over to you and also that you were going to be setting up a drug lab and that you needed protection. THEN hand over the money to them for their Coast Guard and police AFTER they give you something, Right off the bat they took you for a pendejo because you did not ask for anything in return. Then they figured that you got ballsy with them by setting things up on your own and not asking them for help and not paying them. That is the psychology of Belize, my friend.
The other thing that I would like to point out is that 30-40% of Belizean males smoke marijuana regularly and possibly 5-10% smoke rock cocaine regularly. The system is in place so that the marijuana grows down in Punta Gorda area and comes in imported from Peten, Guatemala and the coke comes from Colombian boats passing product through Belize to Mexico. This system benefits the country tremendously because it brings lots of cash to the country that would otherwise not be there. The drugs corridor of Belize is untouchable by both political parties and big players work and live in Belize and are full blooded Belizeans. In a way, they are the folk heroes of Belize, who every Belizean looks up to and wants to be like. How could you have confused everything out of all proportion by going against the entire culture? You are a guest in their country, John, and you must be brought to your senses. They are not going to get a paycheck from you to not sell drugs or to not do shady deals all their lives. You will come and go like the wind, but the drugs corridor has been paying off for almost 40 years now. Stop acting like a deranged republican and get with the program.
Lastly, your ways out are few now. I think your girlfriend hit the other gringo or, most likely, one of your bodyguards who was a gang banger probably did it thinking it would impress you and get you to pay him extra.
That happened to me once out on the caye when we were building the resort. I had gotten into an argument with one of the workers and demoted him and he was going behind my back saying stupid things. So, while I was not on island, another worker decided to kill him, chop up his body with a machete, and burn the body to ashes.
When I got back, I was told that he had gotten rid of the problem and I was showed the ashes. The dead worker was definitely dead and I was in a big problem because this guy was trying to extort me, saying that I had wanted it done. I got rid of him and kept to the shadows for a while and he eventually had to take off back to Honduras when the heat fell on him, but I will never forget his thought process and how much it resembles what may be happening to you.
But to get to the point, your two ways out that I can see are: 1. I have a friend with an ultralight who would fly it to a bush runway for you and he might let you take off to Guatemala in it if you wished and if he were properly reimbursed (reasonable, nothing extravagent). 2. I have another friend who is the brother to the current Minister of National Security and who can talk to his brother about terms for you to surrender. They will want money and so will the prime minister but as long as it was done properly, they would put you under their protection and make sure that no harm came to you. Then it would just be a matter of getting you a good lawyer (I would recommend Barrow’s ex-wife who takes all the high profile cases) and you would be out fairly quickly. I do not know how much the main players want. It probably depends on if you set up offshore trusts in Belize or some offshore accounts there that could be traced back to you. If you did that, then you can be sure that Barrow knows about them and how much you have and that number will be the upper limit where they start their negotiations from. You can bargain from there, but they have all the advantages over you in that process.
So, if you need any more advice or you actually do need some help in resolving your issues, feel free to contact me. I am not in any way associated with the Belizean government and I could not care less if they are all after you. It is a pirate’s game and you are in check right now and about to be checkmated. If you want to save your queen, then you need to shift your strategy.
Reread The Art Of War and put things into the context of your current position. I do not mind being an ally in this, but I will want some publishing rights or something of that nature in the future if things work out for you in the future.
Best wishes
Frank on November 18, 2012 said:
First of all .. to all individuals making comments and so called News Reports based on the fact that JM is a narcissist self centered nutcase … where everything evolves around him “, Well … you are very right about that, and you are responsible for your own misery simply because your are the one visiting his blog or looking for reports about him , there is only one cure for that .. turn the page and read something different , EX: What about the Jews and Palestinians (plenty of reading material about those narcissistic communities who think the world evolve around them … What about some A list celebrity official blog ….. Fuck it … just watch Jersey Shore.
A bunch of blood sucking greedy people and or corporations are cashing in with this story , why? because it has all the main elements to manipulate and fictionalise in order to sell newspapers , pay per click , eBooks , Books and eventually licensing for a movie deal .. Truth its boring and only sells to the 1% (if) …..sensationalism does attract sheep’s (Bahh Bahhh) and sells to 99%, so next time you read a news report where country officials who are seeking for that 15 min of fame that will lead them to a cameo in Jersey Shore, keep in mind… you are contributing to next BEST SELLING BOOK based on TRUE EVENTS that are pure fiction in order to feed a fluorite infused brain.
John lives in a very beautiful country , but very corrupt ..and it seems to me that many locals have a lot to gain if he goes down (anywhere from ransom for his life, to falsifying documents and properties deeds, taking over bank accounts (Look for Wild Bill – Panama- same shit goes on in Belize).
In Belize you can open a bank account, get a new passport and find safe heaven for $50.000 give or take), you can probably have someone killed for about $300 (If you dont have any friends in the Anti Gang units, if you do it might be free)
John is a very normal character (1%) who does not live to the rules or image that the 99% expect to see or be satisfied with . he is not crazy .. you are just confused about who you are by following other sheep’s . He is also the dream cash cow for blood suckers and so called Gonzo journalists who were probably begging him for an interview, and probably doing a monkey dance in their cubicle when he accepted .
I wish this whole ordeal will be over soon and that John will resume to his NORMAL life… Im also looking forward to see how John will manage to ridicule the media and local Politian’s in the end.. so far he did , but very few are able to see it ….
I feel sorry that someone died in this whole ordeal , but i also feel sorry for others that have died in similar circumstances and who did not have a high profile neighbour to blame on
“May the wind always be on your back and the sun upon your face and may the winds of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars”
Cherie Chenot-Rose on November 18, 2012 said:
Hi John,
I hope this finds you safe. We know the injustice you are facing because as you know we too senseless suffered injustice in Belize. Accused of “feeding children to the crocs,” as I read you have been too, a whole Mayan village stormed our property, looted, and burnt everything we owned to the ground while the police, who knew they were headed to our property, stood back and did nothing. We have footage of them on our property and yet to date the government of Belize has refused to press charges on anyone. We lost over 1 million BZD in property.
View Here on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUs8efsDWBs&list=UUp-Y3NcW29Jq9eIAXnwqNwQ&index=2&feature=plcp
We wish to thank you for all your support in donating your boats for croc rescues and we pray for Eddie’s release. You know, he had a rescued crocodile named after him because he got it so quickly to the mainland during the rescue. Unfortunately, “Fast Eddie” was killed during the riot and arson when the armed villagers stormed our property they also killed 14 other animals in their pens, some just babies. We still receive death threats by phone and police trace the call but arrest no one.
We too, like you, stay because this is our home; but I do know many others that have fled this country for their life and left everything behind.
Stay safe and GOD Bless,
Cherie & Vince Rose
CNN Link: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/09/07/belize.american.house.torched/index.html
Tracker on November 18, 2012 at 5:26 pm said:
I also am following your story, and i’m in agreement with most of what you say.
Belize is a wonderful place to live, the people are so friendly and welcoming, but the authorities are something else. They lack training and any form of common decency.
I have lived here for 20+ years and have seen lots of strange things done by various governments. If you are wealthy and come to live in Belize you are expected to donate and help with various projects, if you dont rumors start to fly and Belize loves rumors, so much so that rumors have sent people to prison or worse.
John, you have been a generous benefactor to many, yet still they hounded you. For those who do not live in Belize he’s an example of the mentality of the media in Belize, most of which are politically controlled, and i quote “The British Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Latin America, Hugo Swire has concluded a two day visit to Belize.
It is the first time that a UK Minister has visited Belize since 2008. Swire’s visit focused principally on security issues. He met with BATSUB, BDF, RESTORE Belize and the Prime Minister, Security Minister and Foreign Minister.
According to an official release, he discussed the Belize/Guatemala dispute, and further assistance to the security forces.
That came today with the donation of two Meilun motorbikes, assigned to Belmopan Police. And unless these are double-o-7 (007) models – we would hope the cycles are not the sum total of security assistance, considering the UK is a G-8 Nation. ” end quote.
The news media was disapointed with the donation of 2 motorcycles, why? because the UK is a rich country and should have given more to Belize. This is the same situation that you ( John ) faced, and because you refused to donate to a political party they have hounded you. You have my full support. I live on San Pedro and if you need anything let me know. Keep safe John.
HOW THIS BEGAN (November 17, 2012)
by John McAfee
In the pre-dawn hours of April 30th of this year I woke to the sound of a bullhorn yelling un-intelligible orders. I ran naked outside and saw a military formation whose uniforms identified them as GSU, creeping slowly down my driveway. I laid down the pistol that I keep for protection and, contrary to Josh Davis’ assertion that I said “Motherfuckers”, said nothing and went back inside. I woke Amy, the 17 year old with whom I was living, and calmly told her to get dressed – that the GSU was invading the property.
Amy is a tough young woman. She said nothing, got up, got dressed and sat calmly on the edge of the bed.
I put on a pair of shorts and went outside. I was immediately grabbed and shoved up against the wall of the house. A sheet of paper was produced stating that the GSU was looking for an illegal meth lab. I did not have my glasses and could not read it so the officer explained it to me.
The remainder of that day was a nightmare of the highest order. My hands were handcuffed behind my back and for 14 hours I sat in the sun without food or water while I watched my property being destroyed and taken away.
At around two in the afternoon I asked a nearby officer for water and food. “Do I look like a chef to you?” was his reply. I was finally taken to Belize City and thrown in Jail.
Eight hours later I was released with no charges being filed.
A few days later I emailed the Prime Minister and asked for a public apology. “Who does he think he is?” was his reply to a close associate.
I think I am an innocent person who was violated by the Belizean Government. In polite society, apologies are in order.
This was the beginning of my antagonism with the Prime Minister and a few of his powerful associates. I have been a vocal opponent of the PM ever since and I will not stop until I receive my apology.
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED
Who Is McAfee? Introduction
http://www.whoismcafee.com
