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The true life of Pablo Escobar: Blood, betrayal and death
"Hello beautiful. I am Popeye."
In 1998 I met Jhon Jairo Velásquez Vásquez—alias "Popeye"—lieutenant to the Medellín Cartel's leader, Pablo Escobar Gaviria. Our first encounter was at the high security yard of the Modelo Prison in Bogotá, Colombia.
I visited the prison frequently as a journalist for RCN TV. I was always conducting interviews and speaking to the inmates, uncovering news about what was really happening inside the prison. At that time, stories about confrontations between guerrilla and paramilitary factions were everyday news. You could often hear shots inside the prison as the different sides fought for control.
I had always wanted to meet one of the members of the Medellín Cartel. I was curious to know who they were, what they looked like, and what these men, who belonged to the most powerful drug cartel that has ever existed in Colombia, were thinking. At the high security yard I was able to talk with two of them. The most notorious was Jhon Jairo Velásquez Vásquez.
"Hello beautiful. I am Popeye." The man who sat in front of me stared at me. His pale skin reflected the six years he had been in prison; in fact, it looked as if he had never once stepped outside. Popeye smiled at me with curiosity while his cold eyes examined me from head to toe. We were introduced by another inmate, Ángel Gaitán Mahecha, a man accused of paramilitarism and homicide.
My first impression was surprise and curiosity; I also examined him from head to toe. He wasn't quite six feet tall. His slim body and the smile on his face almost put me at ease. I thought this man couldn't possibly frighten anyone, and yet I couldn't forget the number of homicides in which he had been involved. I wanted to see into the mind of the man who planned and participated in the most horrible homicides that the cartel had carried out in their war against the state.
In 1998 I met Jhon Jairo Velásquez Vásquez—alias "Popeye"—lieutenant to the Medellín Cartel's leader, Pablo Escobar Gaviria. Our first encounter was at the high security yard of the Modelo Prison in Bogotá, Colombia.
I visited the prison frequently as a journalist for RCN TV. I was always conducting interviews and speaking to the inmates, uncovering news about what was really happening inside the prison. At that time, stories about confrontations between guerrilla and paramilitary factions were everyday news. You could often hear shots inside the prison as the different sides fought for control.
I had always wanted to meet one of the members of the Medellín Cartel. I was curious to know who they were, what they looked like, and what these men, who belonged to the most powerful drug cartel that has ever existed in Colombia, were thinking. At the high security yard I was able to talk with two of them. The most notorious was Jhon Jairo Velásquez Vásquez.
"Hello beautiful. I am Popeye." The man who sat in front of me stared at me. His pale skin reflected the six years he had been in prison; in fact, it looked as if he had never once stepped outside. Popeye smiled at me with curiosity while his cold eyes examined me from head to toe. We were introduced by another inmate, Ángel Gaitán Mahecha, a man accused of paramilitarism and homicide.
My first impression was surprise and curiosity; I also examined him from head to toe. He wasn't quite six feet tall. His slim body and the smile on his face almost put me at ease. I thought this man couldn't possibly frighten anyone, and yet I couldn't forget the number of homicides in which he had been involved. I wanted to see into the mind of the man who planned and participated in the most horrible homicides that the cartel had carried out in their war against the state.
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 11, 2026
El Verdadero Pablo is a good 6 hour read on Colmbian drug king Pablo Escobar. It is told partly from news stories and partly by Escobars close associate slash assassin nicknamed Popeye. One must always look out for bias in such storytelling but author Legarda seems to me to have done a decent job in that regard. Of course what the assassin tells must be taken with a huge pinch of salt.
For anyone wanting a look into how crazy, brutal and lots of other things the world of cocaine smugglers or Colombia was around 1990, and probably still is, El Verdadero Pablo is a nice read.
For anyone wanting a look into how crazy, brutal and lots of other things the world of cocaine smugglers or Colombia was around 1990, and probably still is, El Verdadero Pablo is a nice read.
February 17, 2025
Not my typical genre but I realllly enjoyed reading this while I was visiting Colombia. It gave me a unique perspective and foundation of the history of Colombia, and allowed me to better understand the pride and happiness of the locals who witnessed the country’s recovery from those dark days.
October 10, 2025
Libro de mucha reflexión para entender lo que provoca la exclusión dentro de una sociedad que no brinda las oportunidades necesarias para nuestros jóvenes
Es increíble como una persona con tanto potencial, como Pablo Escobar termina truncada dentro del
Crimen. Una mente que si hubiese tenido diferente oportunidad pudo haber sido un aporte importante dentro de una sociedad a la cual se les demanda líderes como la de Pablo.
Es increíble como una persona con tanto potencial, como Pablo Escobar termina truncada dentro del
Crimen. Una mente que si hubiese tenido diferente oportunidad pudo haber sido un aporte importante dentro de una sociedad a la cual se les demanda líderes como la de Pablo.
August 6, 2025
A fascinating and complex portrait of Pablo Escobar that goes beyond the myth and violence. Legarda explores the many facets of the man behind the drug lord, revealing his influence, contradictions, and impact on Colombian society. It’s not just a biography, but a reflection on power, corruption, and redemption.
January 13, 2021
Entretenido
Me gustó la forma en que se narra la historia, los capítulos atrapan al lector y da una pincelada de la forma de ser de Pablo.
Recomendable
Me gustó la forma en que se narra la historia, los capítulos atrapan al lector y da una pincelada de la forma de ser de Pablo.
Recomendable
May 8, 2016
Es más bien un libro de síntesis sobre eventos varios dentro del cartel de Medellin. Vistos en primera persona por alias "Popeye". Una narración considero textual por parte del ex sicario y las correcciones (sin alterar el contenido) de Astrid Legarda
August 31, 2016
Very impressive
To all who would like to find out how easy it is to get involved with the wrong crowd. How Colombia allowed dirty and corrupted politicians to lead our country when all they cared was money and power, not very different to the interests of criminals and drug lords.
To all who would like to find out how easy it is to get involved with the wrong crowd. How Colombia allowed dirty and corrupted politicians to lead our country when all they cared was money and power, not very different to the interests of criminals and drug lords.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews