Former war hero and diplomat Frank Arnett is working for the organization OSI (Organization for Strategical Intervention), which battles drug trafficing in Central- and South America. Currently, Frank leads a mission called 'Operation Jaguar', which includes getting Hector Ramirez - courier between the drug cartel and the corrupt government Buenaventura - brought to America along with his cartel ledgers that can bring the bad guys down. Hector's only demand is that his girlfriend Isabella must be taken to America as well. Frank requests that his son, Navy pilot Rio Arnett, be brought in to help with the mission. OSI director Willard Jenner okays Rio's involvment but Henry Stanley, another important OSI figure, is vehemently oppsosed to the idea. Rio goes to Buenaventura and discovers that on the mission he'll also be working with his old pal Wiley Ferrell. Wiley briefly shows Rio around, including the Parador Hotel, the only hotel around which is run by the beautiful Allison Stratton.

Jenner is hospitalized with a mysterious virus infection and is growingly suspicious towards Stanley. Meanwhile, Rio is back in Buenaventura and gets aquainted with Allison Stratton, the new manager of the Parador Hotel. Allison detests Wiley and disagrees with the way he and Rio conduct their flights. She wants them to improve the look of the airport and give the tourists a better first impression so they'll want to stay at her hotel. Rio refuses to believe his father is dead and one night he is approached by a mysterious woman. She gives him Frank's pin and claims Frank gave this to a woman in trouble who needs Rio's help. Later, when Rio talks about the mystery woman, Pablo the mechanic tells him this must be 'la curandera', a strange woman who suddenly appears when people are in need of help. Her real name is Alma. The corrupt Stanley arrives in Buenaventura and meets up with his associate, State Department official Edward Furman. They go after Isabella, who is in possession of Hec