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Expédition de Medellin
ParNicolas Casey
Lire en espagnol
MEDELLÍN, Colombie — Lorsque le maire de Medellín s'est présenté, il portait une masse.
Il se tenait devant l'ancienne maison de Pablo Escobar, le baron de la drogue notoire dont l'empire de la cocaïne l'avait autrefois placé sur les listes des personnes les plus riches et les plus recherchées au monde.
M. Escobar a vécu pendant des années dans le Monaco Building, un édifice blanc de six étages avec un appartement penthouse au sommet et son nom de famille toujours inscrit en lettres décolorées à l'extérieur.
Le bâtiment étaitbombardé en 1988par les rivaux de M. Escobar, et peu de temps après, il l'a abandonné. Les mauvaises herbes ont poussé dans les fissures de l'allée. Une antenne parabolique collectait les vieilles feuilles. Et pendant un moment, Medellín pourrait ignorer le Monaco désormais vide.
Récemment, cependant, l'attention sur le bâtiment est revenue, piquée par des dizaines de livres internationaux, de telenovelas et de films sur M. Escobar.
Les touristes se faufilent maintenant jusqu'à la porte, prennent des photos et les publient sur Instagram. Les guides touristiques s'y arrêtent. Un ancien tueur à gages du cartel devenu star de YouTube est apparu, offrant des DVD racontant ses exploits avec M. Escobar et des anecdotes du jour où le bâtiment a été attaqué.
En avril, rassasié, le maire est intervenu.
"Ce symbole, qui est un symbole de l'illégalité, du mal, sera ramené au sol", a déclaré Federico Gutiérrez. Le maire a juré de renverser le bâtiment d'ici l'année prochaine et de mettre un parc à la mémoire des victimes à sa place.
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La façon dont le bâtiment de Monaco est passé d'une relative obscurité à une attraction touristique mondiale, à l'un des projets de démolition les plus médiatisés en Colombie témoigne de la relation difficile que Medellín entretient avec M. Escobar, le fils le plus notoire de la ville. Vingt-cinq ans après avoir ététué dans une fusillade policièresur un toit de Medellín, la ville ne peut pas l'oublier, même si elle souhaite que sa légende soit enterrée.
La réponse contradictoire au bâtiment – embarras municipal ou opportunité de photo – est également un excellent exemple de la façon dont Medellín se débat toujours sur le récit d'Escobar. Qui peut raconter cette histoire des guerres contre la drogue ? Où est-il raconté, dans la rue ou dans les musées ? Et qui sont les protagonistes, les méchants ou les victimes ?
Je suis venu vivre dans cette ville il y a huit mois. Mais je me suis familiarisé pour la première fois avec Medellín quand j'étais enfant au début des années 1990. C'était l'apogée des campagnes de terreur de M. Escobar pour protéger son entreprise de drogue de plusieurs milliards de dollars, et les conséquences macabres ont été montrées dans les nouvelles du soir aux États-Unis. Des décennies plus tard, j'ai été attiré par la façon dont Medellín avait réussi à tourner la page de son passé violent.
La ville est devenue une ville en plein essor où les architectes internationaux rivalisent pour construire des projets de prestige et les start-ups technologiques bien financées prolifèrent à côté des restaurants branchés. Le métro colombien parcourt toute la ville ; des escalators enfilent les barrios qui grimpent sur les flancs de la vallée luxuriante où se trouve la ville.
Les habitants de Medellín, un célèbre clan fier connu sous le nom de paisas, sont les premiers à vous dire où en est leur ville.
Mais ils sont les derniers à mentionner d'où il a avancé – les profondeurs de l'ère de la cocaïne qui ont apporté non seulement l'horreur de M. Escobar, mais aussi l'argent qui a construit son horizon, y compris le Monaco.
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"Les Paisas disent, 'les vêtements sales doivent être lavés à la maison'", m'a dit Juan Mosquera, un écrivain à Medellín, pendant le déjeuner lorsque nous avons discuté des raisons pour lesquelles les résidents locaux évitent même de mentionner Monaco. « C'était un manoir d'horreur. Sa famille ne vivait pas seulement là-bas; ils ont tué et torturé des gens, et ils ont planifié les plus grands coups contre la ville.
Si la ville voulait garder son linge sale privé, la populaire série Netflix "Narcos", dont les deux premières saisons ont relaté l'ascension et la ruine de M. Escobar, l'a exposée à des millions de téléspectateurs dans le monde.
Medellín a résisté au spectacle dès le début. Les équipes de tournage ont eu du mal à obtenir la permission de travailler dans la ville, et le simple fait d'entendre le nom de la série fait hérisser mes voisins.
Mais la ville elle-même était un personnage clé de "Narcos", et les fans de la série viennent en masse à Medellín, à la recherche d'autres histoires sur la vie de M. Escobar. Les arrêts incontournables incluent Hacienda Nápoles, son ranch en dehors de la ville; sa tombe; et La Catedral, la prison construite selon ses spécifications.
Daniel Vásquez, qui dirige la sensibilisation du public au musée de la maison de la mémoire à Medellín, a semblé exaspéré lorsque j'ai demandé pourquoi les visiteurs s'intéressaient davantage à la vie du plus grand méchant de la ville qu'à la visite de cette institution dédiée aux victimes des conflits armés de la ville au cours de la dernière 50 ans.
"Pablo Escobar est devenu l'icône pop de cette histoire", a déclaré M. Vásquez. « La ville ne voyait pas l'urgence de raconter cette partie de l'histoire. Ce n'était pas une priorité pour le gouvernement jusqu'à ce qu'il y ait un problème, jusqu'à ce que tout à coup vous ayez des narco-tours dirigés par Popeye.
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"Popeye", le pseudonyme de Jhon Jairo Velásquez, un tueur à gages de M. Escobar, a commencé à vendre des DVD et à organiser des visites de la ville après sa sortie de prison en 2016. Il a également créé une entreprise parallèle en tant que personnalité YouTube avec une chaîne appelée "Popeye repenti."
Dans une ville encore blessée par les blessures de M. Escobar, le tueur à gages semblait tout sauf désolé. Dans une série vidéo, "Famous Tombs", M. Velásquez se rend sur les tombes de ses victimes, racontant comment il les a assassinées.
"Ici, nous avons Carlos Mauro Hoyos, nousl'a kidnappé en 1988», explique M. Velásquez, debout devant la pierre tombale de l'ancien procureur général de Colombie, expliquant comment M. Hoyos a été blessé à la jambe lorsqu'il a été pris en embuscade et tué plus tard.
"C'est comme si des membres d'Al-Qaïda donnaient des visites à New York sur la façon dont ils avaient planifié le 11 septembre", a déclaré Luis Hernando Mejía, qui représente l'association des voisins qui comprend le Monaco, où Popeye commencerait ses tournées. (Popeye a été de nouveau arrêté en mai pour des accusations d'extorsion.)
Héctor Abad, l'un des romanciers les plus populaires du pays, m'a raconté lors d'une visite à son appartement le meurtre de son père par un groupe paramilitaire l'année précédant l'attaque de Monaco. Il a dit qu'une petite amie lui avait montré une fois les cicatrices sur son dos qui provenaient d'un attentat à la bombe à Escobar.
Et il a offert sa propre maison comme preuve qu'aucun bâtiment à Medellín ne semblait épargné par les crimes passés. Peu de temps après avoir acheté l'appartement, il a trouvé une cache de lingots d'or et de fausse monnaie cachée dans un mur.
"Vous déplacez une brique et vous trouvez un squelette", a déclaré M. Abad.
Il a regardé en bas de la colline depuis son balcon vers l'endroit où le Monaco - un "bâtiment maudit", a-t-il dit - était assis en attendant le boulet de démolition du maire. "Si quelqu'un me le donnait, je refuserais."
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Quand j'ai rattrapé M. Gutiérrez, j'ai demandé au maire, 43 ans, le jour où le Monaco a été bombardé.
« Qu'est-ce que j'ai ressenti ? Peur », a-t-il dit. "Pas seulement la peur de ce qui s'est passé, mais la peur de ce que nous allons devenir."
Il fit une pause pour un moment.
"Pourquoi ai-je décidé en tant que maire de détruire le Monaco ?" se demanda-t-il.
Pour montrer que la ville renaissait, disait-il, et que la loi avait triomphé du chaos.
Mais plus que tout, il a dit qu'il voulait démolir le Monaco parce que Medellín en avait assez de raconter la même histoire du même méchant, encore et encore.
L'une des dernières personnes à qui j'ai cherché à parler du Monaco était le fils de M. Escobar, né Juan Pablo Escobar. Il a quitté la Colombie après la mort de son père, a changé son nom pour Sebastián Marroquín et travaille maintenant comme architecte à Buenos Aires. M. Marroquín était la seule personne que j'ai pu trouver qui était là le jour où le bâtiment a été bombardé.
Au début, il a dit qu'il voulait parler. Mais ensuite, il a cessé de répondre à mes e-mails.
J'ai commencé à penser à ce que cela devait être pour un enfant d'être le fils de l'homme le plus riche du pays, ayant les six étages du Monaco pour sa famille, mais avec tant de menaces au-delà de ses murs.
Finalement, j'ai eu des nouvelles de M. Marroquín. J'ai ouvert l'e-mail, pensant qu'il accepterait peut-être un entretien. Mais lui aussi semblait en avoir assez du sujet.
"Merci pour votre patience", a-t-il écrit. « Je suis sur la route depuis plus d'un mois. Je pense que nous devrions laisser celui-ci pour une autre fois.
Suivez Nicholas Casey sur Twitter :@caseysjournal
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FAQs
Did Pablo Escobar marry a 15 year old? ›
In March 1976, the 26-year-old Escobar married María Victoria Henao, who was 15. The relationship was discouraged by the Henao family, who considered Escobar socially inferior; the pair eloped. They had two children: Juan Pablo (now Sebastián Marroquín) and Manuela.
What happened to Pablo Escobar houses? ›Following the drug lord's death in 1993, the mafioso estate was confiscated by the Colombian government. The mansion is a ruin today. While it was left to rot, however, other parts of the estate were repurposed and turned into a theme park.
Who took over Medellín after Pablo? ›Rodríguez Orejuela and his brother, Miguel, built a huge criminal enterprise that succeeded the Medellin cartel once run by drug lord Pablo Escobar.
What happened to Pablo Escobar's family after he was shot? ›As Colombian police stormed Medellín and rounded up what remained of Escobar's cartel, Maria Victoria Henao and her two children packed up their lives and fled. After Germany and Mozambique denied them asylum, the family eventually settled in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Who is Colombia biggest drug lord? ›In 1975, Pablo Escobar began smuggling and trafficking cocaine. He flew a plane himself several times, mainly between Colombia and Panama, in order to smuggle a load into the United States.
How many times was Pablo Escobar shot? ›On December 2, 1993, police traced a phone call between Escobar and his son, Juan Pablo, to a safe house in the Los Pinos neighborhood of Medellín. Colombian special forces swooped in. Escobar was killed at the house, felled by three bullets as he stood on its red tiled roof.
Can you buy Pablo Escobar's house? ›The late drug lord's mansion was demolished in 2016, and now the empty 30,000 sq. ft. lot is on the market for $15.9 million. Take a look at the property's amazing view and waterfront access.
How much did Pablo Escobar's apartment sell for? ›He was finally captured and killed by special operatives in December 1993. Built in 1948, Escobar's estate had four bedrooms and six bathrooms before it was seized by U.S. Marshals in 1987. The U.S. government subsequently sold it to Miami attorney Roger Schindler for $915,000.
How much does it cost to go to Hacienda napoles? ›Parque Tematico Hacienda Napoles Admission Ticket (From $29.00) Pablo Escobar Hacienda Napoles Private Full Day Tour (From $225.00) Tour Hacienda Nápoles (From $398.00) Hacienda Nápoles tour (From $200.00)
Who is the biggest drug lord now? ›After the arrest of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán and his son Ovidio Guzmán López, the cartel is now headed by old-school leader Ismael Zambada García (aka El Mayo) and Guzmán's other sons, Jesús Alfredo Guzmán and Ivan Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar.
What is the biggest cartel in the world? ›
Sinaloa cartel, international crime organization that is among the most-powerful drug-trafficking syndicates in the world. It is based in Culiacán, Sinaloa state, Mexico. Its origins can be traced to the Guadalajara cartel, which was one of Mexico's largest crime organizations in the early 1980s.
Who was more powerful Cali or Medellín Cartel? ›During the late 1980's the Cali group assumed greater and greater power as their predecessors from the Medellin cartel self-destructed.
Does the Escobar family still exist? ›The Escobar family has lived in Argentina since the 1990s. The late drug lord's widow changed her name to María Isabel Santos Caballero and Escobar's son goes by Juan Sebastián Marroquín Santos.
Is Pablo Escobar's son rich? ›What is Sebastian Marroquin net worth? The son of the famous drug lord has a net worth estimated to be 120 million dollars.
Where is Pablo Escobar's grave? › Who is the most wanted drug dealer now? ›- Alan Gabriel Nunez-Herrera. ...
- Yulan Andony Archaga Carias. ...
- Chuen Yip. ...
- Ivan Archivaldo Guzman-Salazar. ...
- Carlos Omar Felix-Gutierrez. ...
- Silvano Francisco-Mariano. ...
- Liborio Nunez-Aguirre. ...
- Nemesio Oseguera-Cervantes.
The Sinaloa Cartel is a violent, transnational drug trafficking organization based in Mexico that engaged in the manufacture, distribution, and importation of ton quantities of cocaine and marijuana from Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, and Honduras to Mexico and into the United States.
Who is the biggest cartel in Mexico now? ›The Sinaloa Cartel is one of the most powerful drug cartels in the world and is largely responsible for the manufacturing and importing of fentanyl for distribution in the United States. Fentanyl is a dangerous synthetic opioid that is more than 50 times more potent than heroin.
How long did Pablo Escobar hide before death? ›During the 16 months when the drug lord was a fugitive, security forces found his various houses, complete with secret rooms and passageways, but Escobar always vanished before security forces could find him. Sometimes his bed was still warm.
How many confirmed kills does Pablo Escobar have? ›He reportedly killed some 4,000 people, including numerous police officers and government officials.
How long was Pablo Escobar in hiding? ›
Escobar had been in hiding for five years, challenging the authority of the state by assassinating a minister of justice. While living under the radar, he ate badly and didn't exercise, exacerbating his portly frame. His famous mustache has been shaved off.
Can you visit Pablo Escobar's ranch? ›Take this fascinating full day tour and visit Pablo´s most valued ranch on the country side, Napoles hacienda where he had a private zoo and his own plane track. Walk around his abandoned ranch and enjoy of a sanctuary of fauna and flora with a private bilingual guide who will narrate throughout the journey.
Can you stay at Pablo Escobar's house? ›One thing I love about Tulum is it's never predictable. You can spend all day swimming in one of the gorgeous cenotes, then party like you're in Vegas. You can stay in a luxury tent in the middle of the Yucatan jungle, or in Escobar's former mansion.
Who owns the narcos mansion? ›After Escobar was shot and killed by Colombian police in 1993, his family entered a legal struggle with the Colombian government over the property. The government prevailed, and the neglected property is now managed by the Municipality of Puerto Triunfo.
Did Pablo Escobar hide with his father? ›When Escobar eventually handed himself into police in 1991, he escaped from his self-built “ La Catedral” prison just a year later, where Juan details life on the run as a teen after he and his family to fleed with his dad. “My father asked us to hide with him because we couldn't be safe outside,” he said.
How many mansions did Pablo own? ›In the late 1980s, Colombian authorities seized some of Escobar's enormous fleet, including 142 planes, 20 helicopters, 32 yachts, and 141 homes and offices.
What airport is in Hacienda Napoles? ›| Airport | ID | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Perales Airport | CO-0098 | 19 km |
| Velásquez Airport | SKVL | 30 km |
| La Esperanza Airport | CO-0276 | 30 km |
| Puerto Nare Airport | SKPN | 35 km |
Hacienda Napoles Theme Park is located about four hours east of Medellín and it covers about 7.7 square miles (20 square km) of land. After Pablo Escobar's death in 1993, the buildings on the site were demolished or repurposed for other uses.
How much is the entrance to Pablo Escobar Museum? ›The Casa Museo Pablo Escobar entrance fee is $30 USD. The museum has a small curio and souvenir store carrying key chains, mugs and Escobar memorabilia. Most taxi and Uber drivers know of the Casa Museo Pablo Escobar as well as where his grave is located.
Do cartels target tourists? ›Still, experts agree tourists are not the preferred target. “Most tourists will never meet the cartels. In other words, violence is often generic. The violence tourists face is much more local,” Hope said.
Who is the biggest drug criminal ever? ›
Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán
Guzman is the most notorious drug lord of all time, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In the 1980s, he was a member of the Guadalajara Cartel and used to work for Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo.
With strong leaders backed by an internal criminal network of the world's most violent leaders, the Guadalajara Cartel, Sinoloa Cartel, Tijuana Cartel, Juárez Cartel and Gulf Cartel remain and will be known for a long time as five of the most famous drug cartels in the world.
Are there any cartels in the United States? ›The DEA's latest assessment found major Mexican cartels operating in at least 60 American cities. That activity extends as far south as Miami, Florida, and as far north as Bellingham, Washington.
What is the oldest Mexican cartel? ›One of Mexico's oldest organized crime groups, the Gulf Cartel is based in the city of Matamoros, directly across from the U.S. border in Brownsville, Texas. The cartel has been losing strength in recent years as rivals and internal factions fight for control of drug-trafficking routes into the U.S. along the border.
How safe is Medellin Colombia? ›While Medellin is generally safe for travelers in terms of violent crime, a recent string of armed robberies, druggings and petty crimes against tourists are occurring as of 2023.
What is the most powerful Colombian cartel? ›| Early mugshot of the founder and leader of the Medellín Cartel, Pablo Escobar in 1976 | |
|---|---|
| Founded by | Pablo Escobar † Jorge Ochoa Vásquez Juan Ochoa Vásquez José Rodríguez Gacha † Carlos Lehder |
| Territory | Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania |
| Membership | 750,000 |
| Leader(s) | Pablo Escobar |
The Medellin Cartel disbanded after the 1990s, when many members either turned themselves in or were killed, including Escobar, who was gunned down by Colombian police.
Is JJ Popeye still alive? › Did Pablo Escobar take care of his family? ›Escobar gave as extremely to his family as he took away from his enemies. He showered his wife and children with unconditional love and ostentatious luxury. He also cultivated a Robin Hood image by donating money and housing to Medellin, Colombia's, poor.
What do Pablo Escobar's children do now? ›Who owns Pablo Escobar's property? ›
Following Escobar's death, the paradise property was pretty much abandoned to the elements until 2012, when it was discovered by New York art dealer Lio Malca. The avid collector acquired the estate and set about turning it into a lavish five-star art hotel, splashing a fortune on a spectacular renovation.
How did Pablo Escobar get caught? ›On December 2, 1993, Escobar's exact location was determined using electronic, directional-finding equipment. Escobar and his bodyguard attempted to escape by running across the roofs of adjoining houses, but the Colombian National Police shot and killed them.
How much would Pablo Escobar's fortune be worth today? ›| Net Worth Today | $100 Billion |
|---|---|
| Hidden Cash | $15 Billion |
| Gold Reserves | $6 Billion |
| Luxury Yachts | 20 |
| Monthly Spends | $450 Million |
What happened to Pablo Escobar's money? After his demise, the Colombian government acquired a significant portion of the drug lord's money. The authorities also forced his family to sign over any liquid assets left behind. In addition, the government seized money that it could trace to his close associates.
Can you visit La Catedral? ›La Catedral prison trek is ideal for a half-day outing into lush jungle, yet right on Medellin's doorstep. Perched overlooking one of the most stunning views of Medellín, hike through beautiful trails in a native forest home to sloths, armadillos, birds and butterflies.
How much is Pablo Escobar's widow worth? ›Manuel earns a lot of money from her hotel business. Her net worth is estimated to be about $2 million.
At what age did Pablo Escobar marry? ›In 1976, when he was 26, Escobar married 15-year-old Maria Victoria Henao. She was so young that before marrying her, Escobar had to get a special dispensation from the bishop, which was obtainable for a fee, according to Bowden. They were married until Escobar's death.
How old was Pablo Escobar's wife when she gave birth? ›Maria did not care, she loved her husband and bet everything on him. A year later at the age of 16, she gave birth to their first child, Juan Pablo Escobar.
How old was Pablo Escobar when he had his first child? ›In truth, in 1965 he was just a sixteen-year-old lad who had fallen in love with Maria Luisa Sendoya and had a child with her.
Did Pablo Escobar have more than 2 kids? ›The Pablo Escobar Family Tree
He had two kids with his wife Maria Victoria Henao: Juan Pablo/Sebastian Escobar and Manuela Escobar. Details about their early life are scarce, but it's likely that they lived and moved between one of Pablo's many properties in Colombia and the US.
Why did Pablo Escobar's wife stay with him? ›
Those questions are probably ones that thousands of people have wondered. The answer is because I loved him, and while many may find that response inadequate, the truth is that's the reason I remained by his side till the end of his life, even though I disagreed with his actions and decisions innumerable times.
Is Narcos the movie based on a true story? ›Though Narcos is a dramatization, Newman told THR the series is 50-50 when it comes to fiction and nonfiction, and that they stick to the true chronology of events. "We told them how it actually happened," says Pena. "There's some artistic licenses, but the timeline is accurate."
What year did Pablo Escobar become rich? ›Escobar made the Forbes' list of international billionaires for seven years straight, from 1987 until 1993. In 1989, he was listed as the seventh-richest man in the world. 3. By the end of the 1980s, he supplied 80% of the world's cocaine.
Did Pablo Escobar wife get his money? ›Escobar's wife and son moved to Argentina and took on new identities after Escobar's death in 1993. The cartel's fortunes were estimated to be more than $1 billion dollars at the time. Escobar's wife and son claim they received none of the money from the cartel's operations.
Did Pablo Escobar's son inherit the money? ›He kept all the information in his head and relayed the location of the funds to whoever needed to know. Also, there was no huge lump sum that Pablo Escobar saved for his family. Pablo didn't set aside an inheritance for his son or daughter, that's why they don't have their own category.
What did Pablo Escobar do to his son? ›While researching the book, Roberto learnt that a dozen or so people around the world claim to be illegitimate children of Escobar. Officially, Pablo only had two, Sebastián Marroquín, 43, an architect, and daughter Manuela, 36. They reportedly both live in Argentina.
Who is the biggest drug lord ever? ›Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria (December 1, 1949 – December 2, 1993) was a Colombian drug overlord. Often referred to as the "World's Greatest Outlaw", Escobar was perhaps the most elusive cocaine trafficker to have ever existed. He is considered the 'King of Cocaine' and is known as the lord of all drug lords.
How did Pablo Escobar treat his family? ›Escobar gave as extremely to his family as he took away from his enemies. He showered his wife and children with unconditional love and ostentatious luxury. He also cultivated a Robin Hood image by donating money and housing to Medellin, Colombia's, poor.
Who was most loyal to Pablo Escobar? ›Jhon Burges (died 1993) also known as El Limón was Pablo Escobar's chauffeur, and last loyal sicario. Burges was born in Envigado, and lived at the Barrio Pablo Escobar with his family.
How rich is Manuela Escobar now? ›
Manuela Escobar, the daughter of drug lord Pablo Escobar who was the wealthiest criminal in history, having amassed an estimated net worth of US$30 billion by the time of his death equivalent to $70 billion as of 2022, is reported to have a net worth of $2 million which she reportedly earned from her hotel business.