Original subtitles

A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

THE FOLLOWING IS A FICTIONAL STORY

INSPIRED BY SURVIVING ESCOBAR BY JAIRO VELÁSQUEZ VÁSQUEZ.

CHARACTERS AND SITUATIONS HAVE BEEN ALTERED FOR THIS PROGRAM.

CAPITAL PRISON

Guard!

DRUG TRAFFICKERS CELLBLOCK

Guard!

Guard!

-Call the director for me. -Of course, doc. Right away.

Don't fuck with me, man. They'll kill me here. I'm in the wrong place.

Easy. I'll ensure you're buried next to your boss.

Don't worry.

My gift to you with all my love.

Die, you dog, die!

I remember I was working on a college project…

JOURNALIST - VICTIM

and my mom came in, all happy, screaming,

"Mija, they killed Escobar! They killed Escobar!"

We were actually happy. At home, we all celebrated.

Then all those smiles vanished and turned to tears...

because we realized Escobar's death

wouldn't bring my father back.

Because one death doesn't negate the other.

It's just a continuation of the war.

And that was the last thing we wanted.

-Why treat her like that, detective? -Because he's an animal.

I'm leading this operation, Ramos.

This is my jurisdiction, and we do whatever I say.

Is that clear?

I apologize for my partner's ignorance.

Okay, instead of arguing like two women,

why don't you hold hands and go to hell?

It's in your best interest we talk first.

No, it's not, sir. It's in your best interest to release me.

I shouldn't have to be here.

-I know who you guys are. -That's good, right?

No, it's not good because I am unwilling to help you.

I won't sell John out.

Look, Alexandra, think about your husband's best interest.

Okay, I'll tell you one thing.

John would rather be in a Columbian tomb than in a U.S. jail.

-Perfect, we have both available. -Great. Can I go now?

-You'd prefer a tomb too? -Why don't you shut up?

With Escobar dead, the clock for John Jairo is ticking.

Right. Escobar's dead?

Escobar is dead.

Think it through, Alexandra.

What would you prefer? Sending him letters in jail

or grieving at his graveside?

Cooperate with us.

What are you waiting for? Open the door.

Good work, detective.

But I don't think it worked.

We planted some doubts. Now, give it time.

-What? -We have to give her time.

We don't have time. John Jairo's clock is ticking.

And for the D.A.'s office, that means losing any chance

-to get information from her. -One step at a time, Durán.

One step at a time.

We'll go to her house tomorrow, and we will try and get some proof

that will incriminate J.J.

We can take it or leave it.

CAPITAL PRISON

Long live the Valle Cartel!

No more Pablo Escobar!

Alias J.J. was probably quite scared after Escobar's death.

Perhaps he felt defenseless.

I don't know. Maybe all that fear, all that angst...

It was similar to what I felt, my family felt,

what thousands of victims felt throughout the years.

I remember I couldn't go out without thinking about the attacks,

about the car bombs.

It was a society of terror.

-Are you having a good time, kids? -Yes!

Okay, friends, we are going to make a toast to this glorious day

for a reason I just couldn't overlook.

You know to whom we’re toasting?

The skinny lady.

But not this one.

We are raising a glass to Miss Death... the skinny lady,

who eliminated the most horrible bastard that this country has ever created...

Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria!

Let me hear it!

-Long live the Search Bloc! -Long live!

And long live the Cartel.

The Norte del Valle Cartel.

Easy. Stop yelling.

Stay put. Come on, stay put.

Keep on dancing. Calm down.

Keep on dancing like nothing is happening here.

Keep going.

Torres!

Torres!

What happened?

I'll be right back.

Torres!

Stay put, or I'll shoot you right here.

Torres!

What's going on here?

Nobody move.

Sorry to burst your bubble, friend, but can you call the director for me,

or will you keep playing dumb?

-Don't get me in trouble. -No, you've found trouble. Move.

-Let him go. -Go.

Do it, Torres!

This is insane, J.J.

Coming.

Boss. I need to talk to you. This is urgent.

The door, Querubín.

Boss.

Excuse me, boss, but you should get out there.

A lot of things are happening outside.

Torres!

Shut your mouth. Don't move. Torres!

Don't move.

What's gotten into you, baby?

Just dealing with your wife here, Mr. Iván.

You know what?

Let Potro go, and I'll let this one go.

Idiot, what do you mean "let Potro go"?

-Easy. -I'm in the wrong place.

I need to be transferred to a different cellblock.

You're being rebellious, son.

You’re all wound up.

You and I will negotiate.

I won't negotiate with you. I've said my piece.

We all knew what would happen.

Son of a bitch!

What a pig!

Don't move.

Get back.

Shut up! Get back.

Get back, or he will rest in peace.

Where the fuck were you?

How could you let this happen?

-Doctor, I... -Where's Clemente?

-He'll tell me what happened. -I called...

Don't talk!

Don't you dare. I smell the whiskey.

Wipe the lipstick off your collar.

-It wasn't my fault... -Where are they?

At the infirmary, sir.

I'm in a bad way. Please stop it.

Help!

Come in alone.

-Help, boss! -Close the door.

-Alone. Stay outside. -Torres, stay outside.

What did you do?

-Nothing. A few shots, that's it. -That was not necessary.

It's done. What are we gonna do?

-Help me. -Easy. Calm down.

Why did you do this? What do you want?

A transfer to another cellblock.

Come on, at this time of night?

A state jail has to follow protocol, papers. This is not La Catedral.

Old bastard. Don't trick me.

You know you can transfer me any time, no problem.

Look, let's do this.

Let a doctor in to see Potro, and I'll help you.

Yes, a doctor!

Shut up.

No, sir, I need to be certain that you'll transfer me.

You have my word.

What good is your word to me?

What do you want then?

For Christ’s sake.

-Hello? -Hello, Ms. Rosa. This is John Jairo.

John Jairo, what happened?

Alexandra is not here. She went to Bogotá.

Stop talking and listen carefully.

Ask Alexandra to call the lawyer and tell her to say

they're moving me to another cellblock now.

If something happens to me, Eduardo Bejarano is responsible.

Memorize this name... Eduardo Bejarano.

Tell her if they kill me, or something happens,

to call the friend. She knows who. Okay?

And tell her "Eduardo Bejarano."

Come on, move.

I'll transfer you, but that won't guarantee that nothing will happen to you.

Since you got here, everyone's wanted to kill you.

-So don't exaggerate. -Don't worry.

-I'll keep my word. I'll transfer you. -Done.

Bro, don't leave me hanging, don't...

Torres.

Get ready to transfer him to the paramilitary cellblock, okay?

I'll honor my word.

Where are you going?

If I'd been here yesterday, I wouldn't have let you get away with it.

PARAMILITARY CELLBLOCK

We’ll see how long that smile lasts when these dogs start biting.

My friend, I'm alive. I already won.

I feel relaxed here, like I'm with family.

Needless to say, gentlemen, our commitment is to the homeland

and to democracy.

So get down. Twenty push-ups.

I'll leave you here with your family.

The paramilitary emerges as groups outside of the law

to defend the landowners from the guerrillas.

Then, they start to realize that the drug dealing business

is more profitable and a better way to gain funding.

My father was one of the first to denounce the connections and alliances

between the drug cartels and the paramilitary.

O unfading glory!

O immortal joy!

In furrows of pain

Goodness germinates now

Attention, command!

Break ranks.

So, you had some time to think about it, right?

Very good.

Let's see, what should I do here?

Let's do this.

Commander, how are you?

And who do we have here? J.J. himself.

The Boss appreciates it a lot.

Whatever I can do to help, count on me, okay?

Did you forget your boss was putting together a shipment for me?

No, I knew about that deal.

And where's the money?

You can count on that money.

As long as I live, I'll take care of that money. Understand?

-And how are you getting it? -You know I'm full of tricks.

I'll make as many calls as needed.

I have my ways. I have people.

But you'll have to give me some time.

Time is all you need?

Look sir, please understand. With the Boss dead,

people have their hands tied. Things are crazy outside.

But trust that I'll get that money myself

and give it to you personally.

Checkmate.

Of course you're going to get it for me, dog.

Of course you will.

For now, make yourself at home.

If you’ll excuse me, Commander. So kind.

Calm down, son.

In the end, that's all he told me.

-"That's all"? What else? -Nothing else.

-You sure? -Yes, I told you.

Look, Alexandra, I think that the most important thing now

is that you let him know you're carrying his child.

-Again with this!

Don't you know that John's world shattered

-with Pablo's death? -Of course.

-So? -That's precisely why, Alexandra.

That's why he has to know you're pregnant, so he can help us out,

because what good is he if he dies?

If who dies?

Watch what you say, okay?

Dear, I know you're in love and you don't want to think about those things,

but one of us has to stay grounded

-and think things through. -Enough.

Hello?

Hello. Can you please put Doctor Cantillo on the phone?

Who's calling, please?

On behalf of J.J... Can I talk to him?

No, I'm sorry. That's not going to be possible.

The thing is that Doctor Cantillo was killed a couple of days ago.

-What? -Goodbye.

What happened, Alexandra? What did they say?

A hole right where his heart is.

There's an exit wound.

DECEMBER 05, 1993

MURDER OF DIEGO CANTILLO

LAWYER

We have to find out what those people want.

So, eyes and ears wide open, understood?

-Yes, sir. -We won't let them fuck with us.

Hit it as hard as you hit your wife.

J.J.

Come here, son. Relax.

Get some rest. You're relieved.

J.J., I would like to inform you that starting right now,

you're the new janitor for this cellblock.

Janitor? Done. I'll do it.

Now you've got something to do

while thinking about how you're going to get me the money.

Yes, sir. I already made some calls.

-I want that money soon. -Count on it.

-Commander Abel. -Excuse me.

Wait.

The thing is, I have an issue... a little emergency.

-And that would be? -Who will help me

now that Roldán is gone?

Look, let me introduce you to our friend here, John Jairo Velásquez Vásquez.

He is the new janitor for this cellblock.

He will take care of those tasks.

What do you mean?

Look, as you can see, our friend here is a little bit... big,

and some personal tasks are hard for him.

So we always assign someone to help him with those tasks.

So, starting now, you're in charge of those tasks.

Do you have a problem with that?

-Not at all, sir. -Mr. Abel Mahecha.

You're needed here, sir.

Be right there. I'll leave you to it.

Thank you, my commander.

So? Come on, son. Move.

-Can't you hold it? -No.

Well, then. Relax, my friend.

Urrego.

So tell me.

What do you want in exchange for bringing J.J. to my cellblock?

I see that you’ve grown fond of J.J., no?

No. He owes me money, and I have to collect it,

and you know no one who owes me leaves here.

And getting that money means... what?

-That's my problem, man. -Yeah, but that's also my problem.

Because if getting that money means you're going to kill him,

I can't deliver him.

Don't fuck with me.

You grew so fond of him that fast?

No, not of him.

But of the money that is missing that J.J. will retrieve for me.

I'll make you a deal.

You give me J.J., and I'll collect that money for you, son.

No, I can't accept that offer.

I can't give you J.J.

Since they killed the guy who used to write our checks,

J.J. is my only insurance.

Want me to give you an advance?

We don't ever want any trouble with you. Never.

I'm glad that we finally agree on something,

because we don't want trouble either.

Close the door.

Look, Torres. I want you to understand...

Anyone favoring one cellblock over another... will have a hard time.

Mom, start packing. We need to leave. Hurry up, okay?

I don't want to leave my home, Alexandra.

What, are you not listening? We must go now, Mom.

We don't have a choice.

-And where to, dear? -I don't know. I have no clue.

We have to leave, and then we'll figure out where to go.

"Then we'll figure out where to go"? Alexandra, are you hearing yourself?

We can't just wander around like two crazy women

and leave our home behind. No, ma'am. Especially with you pregnant.

I'm pregnant, not crippled! Okay?

If I'm telling you that we have to go, we have to go!

Mom, they killed Pablo, killed the lawyer. They're killing everybody.

Do you want them to kill me as well? And then you?

Don't say that.

Come here. Calm down.

It's okay. Forgive me.

Forgive me for dragging you into this mess.

Mom, I don’t want this. But we’re in danger here.

I don't want anything bad to happen to you...

to you or the baby. Please, try to understand.

Don't make things harder for me.

Look, I...

I promise you that everything will be fine. Okay?

But please, we must go now. Go on, and pack your things.

Go pack your things. You're a strong woman.

Come on, go ahead.

Come on.

Come with me.

Go on. Find them.

Go to the back. Go.

Fast, come with me.

Second floor. Fast, let's go.

Quick.

Alexandra, they're going to kill us.

They're going to kill us.

Is there anyone inside?

They're here!

Open the door, bitch.

Aren't you going to open up?

Son of a bitch managed to escape.

Alexandra.

Alexandra, open the door.

It’s the D.A... It’s Durán.

Alexandra, you're safe now. Open the door.

Alexandra.

Alexandra.

Trust us, Alexandra. You're safe from harm.

Are you alright?

Are you alright?

Who were they?

No clue, but they were going to kill you.

If you don't come with us, we can't protect you.

-Let's go, please. -Yes, let's go, Alexandra. Let's go.

-Let's go, come on. -Come with me.

So tell me, what's new? Were you able to kill the chicken?

No, Potro. That chicken flew the coop.

What do you mean she "flew"? Are you an idiot?

Listen, calm down.

We were about to pluck her,

but two guys came, and they started shooting.

They shot Mono.

I don't give a flying fuck if they killed Mono.

You look for her, find her, and then kill her.

I want her dead and ready for the soup of the day.

-Understand, pussy? -Hello?

Hello?

COLOMBIAN MOUNTAINS

Good afternoon.

Everybody stay still! Everybody down on the ground.

Don't even think about getting up.

Where is 3H? Answer! Tell us!

You stay here. I'm going now.

Are you protecting him? Where is he?

Where is 3H? You, come with me.

Where is 3H? Come on, talk! Where is he?

You guys want the same? Do you want me to kill you all?

Establish a perimeter. Find him. He should be close. Let's go.

Let's go! Move it!

Stop, you son of a bitch! Stop!

-Stay still. Get down. -Okay.

-Okay, calm down. -Get down.

Calm down.

Okay.

I personally recommended 3H's security detail.

-Yes, my commander, but... -How dare you come in here

-without him? -My commander, I apologize.

You know Mr. 3H doesn't care about this security detail.

Don't be stupid. I don't pay you to make excuses.

I trusted you with the security of my brother-in-law, and you lost him.

But I’m telling you now.

If 3H doesn't come back soon,

I will skin every man in your unit myself...

starting with you.

Now get out of here, you fucking piece of shit.

Yes, commander.

-Carlos, what happened to 3H? -Can't you just leave me alone?

You think I'm a fool? What happened to my husband? I'm asking you.

Linda, I promise you that I'll do whatever it takes to find your husband,

but let me figure it out myself.

MY TRUTH

When J.J. turned himself in, Castañeda was one of his worst enemies.

And this one was particularly powerful.

He had a whole army at his disposal with various fronts around the country.

-Hey. -Don't bother me now, fatso.

I don't have time to wipe anybody's ass.

You're really talking to me like that? You think you're so brave?

You want me to tell the commander?

Tell whoever you want, my friend.

Shit.

-Who's that? -Why do you care?

-How's everything, sir? -How are you?

-Good. Come in. I'll go with you. -Thanks.

These people started to shoot at close range.

We were there at the campsite, bro.

You know what the craziest thing is?

Taking a piss saved me.

I needed to piss. I left the campsite, bro.

I hid behind a stone, and then, pow! Son of a bitch.

A grenade, brother. It was foggy, and I looked around.

Then I saw the kids, man. They were shooting them.

Very tough.

-And they didn't chase you? -Of course, bro.

These people were after me.

I heard them ask.

I had already surveyed the area. I went through a ravine.

That ravine takes you to a road.

The worst part is neither the guerrilla nor I

knew we were going to face the army convoy.

Fuck, they grabbed me and threw me in here.

And when they prosecuted you...

they didn't suspect you were linked to the Castañeda?

No, bro, no. When they caught me, I gave them a fake ID.

If they find out, I'll be in trouble.

Mr. Velásquez, you have a visitor.

Why me?

What's new, John Jairo?

CAPITAL PRISON

Why do you have that? Where is Alexandra?

We have her in the United States.

Why did you take her? She has nothing to do with this.

Because they were going to kill her, and we had to intervene.

-Well, I have to talk to her. -Go on, call her.

Find out for yourself.

John Jairo...

I want to help you out.

I can arrange a meeting between you two.

But you have to do me a favor in return.

And what would that be?

Your confession.

Accept the drug dealing charges.

I'm not an idiot.

I won't do that and get extradited. Stick that offer up your ass.

-We're trying to help you, John Jairo. -No thanks for the help.

This agreement is in your best interest, John Jairo.

If you choose to work with the D.A., we will make sure that the DEA

protects Alexandra in the United States.

They'll give her all the comforts the agency is capable of offering.

She'll be there, and she'll have a car, a house, money.

But most importantly, she will be protected.

Think about it. Think about your family.

Think about Alexandra. Think about your mother-in-law.

Think about your son.

You didn't know that Alexandra was pregnant.

Think about your family.

Do you want to see them dead or alive?

Do whatever you want. I don't care about her.

Are you sure?

You really mean that?

Alexandra will hear this conversation.

And I am sure that the things Alexandra tells us

will be important.

And those things will be enough

for you to rot in a United States prison.