John Jairo Velasquez is something of a celebrity in his native Colombia. Crowds of fans approached him with arms outstretched, grinning from ear to ear as they stood beside him for selfies. The motives behind their excitement and admiration are dubious at best, since Velázquez is one of the most notorious hitmen in the history of the country. Escobar’s Killer explores the trail of destruction he left behind, and the baffling realities of his life today.
In the 1980s, as crime swept through Colombia and devastated its land, drug lord Pablo Escobar took the helm. Velasquez, or “Popeye,” as he was better known in criminal circles, was one of the highest-ranked lead hitters of the period. A trusted member of the Escobar regime, he claimed to have murdered more than 250 people and orchestrated the deaths of thousands more.
Velázquez described the scale of the crimes, including the indiscriminate shooting of police officers and the bombing of various politicians and government institutions. “I felt like my soul was dead,” he admitted. In fact, his memory is tinged with disturbing nostalgia. He seems completely unrepentant. But he also knew that he had been given a second chance. After 23 years in prison, he is now free.
He is determined to put his shame to good use and seize the legal opportunities that have awaited him since his release. He wrote two books about his work with Escobar, became an outspoken critic of the political scene and even dabbled in filmmaking. Influencers are eager to meet him and share his unique life experiences in the form of entertainment.
He may enjoy a sick and adoring fan base in his home country, but he also has his fair share of detractors. The film puts them – his victims – in the spotlight as they recount the unimaginable horrors they endured as a result of his brutality.
Escobar’s Killer is a curious and entertaining portrayal of a conflicted character, forcing you to question the morals of those who seem to covet his notoriety.
