The Sicario Effect
Summary: The Sicario Effect is a new series from Exclave Media. Jhon Jairo Velasquez Vasquez alias “Popeye” was Pablo Escobar’s top lieutenant and The Medellin Cartel's chief sicario (assassin). He’s publicly admitted to having personally killed 300 people. In 2014, after 23 years in prison, Popeye was released. Rather than lay low and enjoy his new freedom, he took to the internet and became a social media star, “Popeye the Repentant”. And as we discovered, that’s just the beginning. This is a story about crime, drugs, corruption, and a country’s fight to control their narrative about the past, present, and future.
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- Artist: Exclave Media
- Copyright: ©Exclave Media 2018
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What does the future hold in store for Popeye? With his platform muted, will someone take his place? Or will a different narrative emerge? One thing is for sure in Colombia, the future will be determined by those who control the narrative. www.thesicarioeffect.com
Jhon Jairo Velasquez Vasquez alias Popeye was once the Medellin Cartel’s chief hitman & Pablo Escobar’s trusted lieutenant.After 23 years in jail-he was released and became a social media star.Since interviewing him in Nov 2017, we watched him grab headlines and create controversy with his narrative.From parties raided by cops, to his Narco-tours of Medellin. In late May just days away from Colombia’s Pres. election, Popeye inserts himself into the fray. And then, everything changes www.thesicarioeffe
Popeye continues to make news, by tweeting support to a Spanish right-wing group. Any remaining speculation of a possible return to jail seems to have faded. Following Popeye the last 6 months has proven one thing: The real currency in Colombia-is the narrative & Popeye is engaged in all out battle to control it. Daniel Urrea is an advisor to a Medellin City councilman & professor at the Univ. of Antioquia. He was there when we interviewed Popeye. Daniel gives some insight into the fight for the narrative.
Some holiday greetings and quick schedule update.
April of 2018, five months after being detained in police raid that led to the capture of the alleged head of La Oficina De Envigado, Juan Carlos Mesa, public debate over wether Popeye should return to prison had disappeared. Regardless, his affiliation with La Oficina, gives us a glimpse into one of the most significant criminal groups in the world today. Daniel Rico is a renowned Colombian economist & leading consultant on money laundering and criminal economies analysis-Daniel breaks it all down for us.
The most powerful thing Pablo Escobar did was leave behind a narrative. The young, enterprising Paisa smuggler, who became richer and more powerful than all of the elites in Colombia. It appeals to the masses, especially the disenfranchised. Unfortunately, the narrative often ignores the many innocent victims. The allure of Narcoculture has a number of potentially dangerous implications. Acclaimed Colombian writer, Joseph Avski, gives us some perspective on the impact of narcoculture in Colombia.
The Medellin Cartel's victims and their families exist more as statistics than real people. Narcoterrorism has touched the lives of everyone in Colombia. Behind the stories of the plotting and scheming, are the people who were at the wrong place and the wrong time, just living their lives. Mónica Gómez Villafañe is a successful banking executive in Colombia. In 1989, a chance encounter at the Bogota airport would change her life forever. www.TheSicarioEffect.com
Bonus Episode: Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, Episode 14, will be out next Monday, Dec 3, 2018. In the meantime, please enjoy this "behind the scenes" bonus episode. A few days after Popeye was detained by police at a party for Colombia's most wanted man, Jonathan and his team discuss the breaking news and its many implications. www.TheSicarioEffect.com
Esteban Orozco is an accomplished screenwriter and producer. Most recently he was a writer on the hit Netflix series, “El Chapo". From day one, Esteban provided us with insight into Medellin and it’s culture of crime. After returning to LA, Jonathan invited Esteban to sit down to discuss and help process the experience. Neither could have predicted only two days prior, Popeye would be back in the headlines after attending a party for the most wanted man in Colombia. Website: www.TheSicarioEffect.com
Preview of Episode 13. Coming Monday November 19, 2018.
December 2017- Los Angeles. Shortly after returning from Medellin, we start to examine Popeye’s claims of repentance, when a startling event occurs, sending this story in an entirely new and unexpected direction. It all starts with a birthday party, for a man called “Tom”.
Preview of Episode 12. Coming Monday November 12, 2018.
Jhon Jairo Velasquez Vasquez was once Escobar’s chief assassin. He committed unspeakable acts of violence. Now after 23 years in prison, he’s out. For a lot of people this isn’t enough. But Popeye would disagree and say he served his debt to society. However, he’s not your ordinary criminal. And Colombia isn’t a simple place. For more information, credits and bonus features visit www.thesicarioeffect.com
Preview of Episode 11. Coming Monday November 5, 2018.
The Medellin Cartel was like a cult, Pablo Escobar its feared ruler. Yet by 1989 the façade of invincibility would crack. The hunt to capture Pablo was intensifying, and the barriers protecting him would begin to fall. After learning the cops were tracking his own men, Pablo shifts his strategy, instead of remaining shielded by sicarios, he orders Popeye and others to turn themselves into police, opting to be guarded by one man. Shortly after entering jail, Popeye is forced to confront life without Escobar
