Clear and Present Danger (1994)

The action thriller film Clear and Present Danger (1994), directed by Phillip Noyce, is based on Tom Clancy’s novel of the same name. The plot centers around a United States Coast Guard vessel in the Caribbean Sea, which discovers an American yacht with evidence that its owner and passengers – businessman Peter Hardin and his family – were killed by the Colombian crew on board. CIA analyst Jack Ryan uncovers that Hardin was involved in money laundering for the notorious Cali Cartel in South America. It is revealed that drug lord Ernesto Escobedo ordered the murder as punishment for Hardin embezzling millions from their drug profits. In response, U.S. President Bennett covertly gives National Security Advisor James Cutter permission to launch operations in Colombia aimed at dismantling the cartel.

Upon Admiral James Greer’s absence due to his battle with pancreatic cancer, Ryan takes on the position of acting Deputy Director of Intelligence. In order to support the efforts of Colombian forces in their fight against drug cartels, Ryan appeals to Congress for increased funding. He assures them that there is no involvement from the U.S. military. However, unbeknownst to Ryan, Cutter has plans to utilize the funds for RECIPROCITY, a special forces team assembled by CIA operative John Clark and aided by Robert Ritter, the CIA Deputy Director of Operations. Acting President Bennett tasks Ryan with negotiating with the Colombian government to allow the United States to seize Escobedo’s assets, including a hefty sum of $650 million stashed in off-shore accounts.