Original subtitles

A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

We had nothing to do with this.

Because, as you know,

we don't like war. Don't forget it.

Besides, all of our business is family business.

WELCOME TO CALI

From the start, my brother and I gave it our all.

And when we least expected it, the company grew.

Because the business is headed from heaven's branch

to the end of the world.

I assume that's why we're respected everywhere.

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION BASED ON THE CHARACTERS OF THE BOOK

EL CARTEL DE LOS SAPOS. THE FACTS APPEARING HEREIN

ARE A PRODUCT OF THE AUTHORS' IMAGINATIONS.

SOME SITUATIONS, BASED ON REAL FACTS,

HAVE BEEN MODIFIED AND ENHANCED FOR AN AUDIOVISUAL FORMAT.

That's it.

Are you sure about that move?

Think carefully.

If you move your bishop here,

I can take it with my knight.

In chess, you gotta think before each move,

consider the results, how it might affect you.

Think about a better move.

Well, who's a bit hungry?

I am!

I figured.

Sweetie, what did I tell you about the shoes? Put them on.

Federico!

Your hands.

Leonardo...

Look.

The first installment of what I owe you.

Drop the nonsense. Keep it.

No, I don't like owing favors.

Please, take it.

Look, everything will be recorded here,

every payment I make and what I still owe.

Sign the receipt, please.

-Sign it. -Oh, you and your ideas...

And this... is your copy.

You're so sweet.

It looks nice on you.

Are you gonna make me write a receipt too?

To establish the necklace is yours alone.

Colonel.

The flight's scheduled for when Emanuel isn't at work.

They'll be picked up and travel without any Villegas knowing.

ECONOMY CLASS DAYANA TIRADO FERRO

Thank you, Parra.

How about that other thing?

A-ha. Doctor Cabello must be with her right now.

Your blood pressure is high.

Take care of yourself or both of you could be at risk.

What should I do, doctor?

Remain calm, complete rest is advised.

The thing is, I've got a trip planned and I need to travel urgently.

I'm sorry, but that's impossible now.

The pressure changes and the movement while flying

could cause eclampsia. We can't take that risk.

Don't worry, it's almost due.

And pressure usually stabilizes once the baby's born.

Well, Dayana, follow my recommendations, okay?

Yes, I'll walk you downstairs.

No, please, it's okay.

Stay still, I'll find my way out.

Please, take care of yourself.

Good luck, see you later.

There was no choice but to sit and watch time go by.

Time that seemed eternal and still for some,

while, for others, it was going full speed.

CALI DAYS LATER

Move, the boss needs the cargo by today.

Come on!

What do you think?

It just needs a corpse.

They gotta be in the Buenaventura port tomorrow.

They'll be picked up by a ship I hired and taken to Panama.

They'll be loaded into containers and taken by a cargo ship

to the Savannah port in Georgia.

Won't the police interfere there?

It's the largest container terminal in the US.

These caskets will be like a needle in a haystack.

They won't bother to check them.

Then, a truck will pick them up and take them to New York.

Do we have all our paperwork in order?

We're a pine casket company interested in marketing

and exporting our products to the Americas.

Any more questions?

NATIONAL ID PÉREZ, HUMBERTO

Mr. Humberto, have a good flight.

Thank you very much, sir.

How's the baby?

-Very well. -Good.

Move.

Next.

-Move that! -Sweetie.

Read it first, fight me later.

"New Low-Cost Pharmacy branch in Cali." Really?

Another one?

And not only two. We'll keep growing.

I really thought after the fire,

you wanted nothing to do with the business.

No, that's what problems are for, to learn and move forward.

And congratulations are in order.

-Why? -What do you mean "why"?

What you did there showed me we have to keep working together.

Just tell me which one and I'll be there.

In both of them, sweetie.

Always ready to work. Yes, and in all future businesses.

With you as the leader, no one can stop us.

Right?

Careful, you'll break the radio.

Calm down, your toy is fine.

Besides, with so much cash, does it matter if I break it?

You don't get the business, do you?

-Yes, I do. Why? -Wait, let me explain.

These appliances have to keep working

so we can sell them and maintain our facade, okay?

Open it carefully.

Who would ever imagine all these appliances full of money

arriving in Cali like this?

This is just the beginning.

Appliances and caskets aren't the only way to move money and drugs.

With a little imagination,

we can move them by submarine.

What do you think?

Thank you, Leonardo.

A little something for your help.

Well, tell me about your trip.

Okay, sit down.

Well, it went very well.

A pity I couldn't see much 'cause I was busy doing business.

I'm sure there's a lot to see there.

Plan another trip, a longer one.

Yes, that's what I want to do.

And look, I may not have seen much,

but I don't wanna be the only one to go.

I want all the guys from Cali to go,

to visit, even work there if possible.

Listen to this business idea, tell me what you think.

Imagine this.

Guys from Colombia travel to the US.

They sell the best cough syrup.

They learn, visit a new place, and earn a few dollars in one go.

They win, we win.

The only thing you should do is find a group of people

who want to learn English there

and work in this field.

It doesn't sound bad at all.

Not at all, right?

We'd charge them a small fee so they can get started

and then send them to the US.

What do you think?

-This is a war without bullets. -Hmm.

-In which you gotta use your brain. -A-ha.

So, pay attention. What happens if you move this one?

What are the next moves and what are the risks?

This is the knight.

-The knight moves... -Buddy, listen.

I know how to move the knight, the pawn, the bishop,

the rook, the queen, and the king, the most important one, right?

Why are you upset?

-You're right, sorry. -Don't talk to the boy like that.

He's just telling you what he learned.

What he learned or what he was taught?

Don't look at me like that, you know who taught that to the boy.

My replacement, right? That's why you told me to leave the house?

What are you talking about?

You don't know, Mayerly?

-You're not just giving him aborrajados... -Enough, watch it.

At least respect the boy, he's right here.

Let's go, Fede.

No, sir.

Say that again?

I'm not going, I'm staying with Mom.

CALI MONTHS LATER

I haven't slept in two weeks because of him,

but I don't care, I'd do anything for him.

He's strong. He's squeezing my finger.

-Yes, strong like us. -Yes.

-Come here. -Do you want to hold him?

Finally, a boy I can spoil.

It's the best part of being an uncle.

What's up, sweetie? What's going on?

-I'm your uncle. -Look who's here.

-What's up? -Give me my son.

-Wait, I'm... -Give him to me.

-He's getting to know him. -Shut up. Give him to me.

-What's up, Dayanita? -Come here.

-What's going on? -It's okay.

What's going on?

He has to eat.

What was that?

I don't know what's up with her, she's acting so strange.

She's in a bad mood, everything bothers her.

Well, it's normal.

What do you think having a baby's like?

It messes everything up.

Never heard of postpartum depression?

Yes, listen.

Having a baby messes with our hormones, they make us seem crazy.

Some don't want to see their husbands, and some, their babies.

Really?

You have to understand.

We carry the baby for nine months while you sit and wait.

We go crazy, don't we?

You speak like you've birthed 20 babies.

But she's right, it's crazy.

Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Stand by her, keep your cool.

It's hard now, but it'll be okay.

JANUARY 15TH - MAYERLY PROOF OF PAYMENT FOR MR. VILLEGAS

HOUSE RENT

Checkmate!

I knew it! Just as smart as your mom. Well done.

Which one? White or black?

Again? No, I gotta go, I work tomorrow.

A rematch, relax.

Fede, I can't. Look at the time.

-Let's play baseball. -No, you're nuts.

We'll break something. Come on.

One last game for the Pan American.

But I can't, I gotta go.

Once more, that's it.

All right.

What are you doing?

I'm watching you.

Why don't you go to bed?

Honey...

thank you for everything you do for us.

You two are my whole life.

And if anything were to happen to you, anything at all, I'd die.

CLUB BRISAS

There's nothing left for me.

People were hungry today. You did well, huh?

You know no one can resist Cali's magic.

If you keep this up, you'll pay Leonardo back in no time.

God willing, Deisy.

If it were up to me, I'd pay interest.

So silly.

'Cause you've got so much money and he needs it so much.

That's not it.

It's a matter of being grateful, that's all.

He's done a lot for me and my boy.

Don't look at me like that, I'm serious.

I don't know where I'd be

-if it wasn't for him. -Sure, right...

Thirty-five... Stop with the nonsense and help me count, come on.

No, ma'am. Deisy.

Oh...

Fede.

Honey.

Sweetie, come here.

Hello, put on your pajamas, okay?

Brush your teeth.

Remember your teeth, Fede.

What time is it?

Almost 12:00. They must be worried at home.

Sorry, I was gonna leave early, but Fede wouldn't let me.

It's one game after the other.

See you tomorrow.

Leonardo.

Thanks for staying, for keeping him company.

No, it's not a problem.

He's great company too.

And look, a great opponent in chess.

Let me know if you need anything.

No, sir. You've done more than enough for us.

-Don't worry. -And I'm willing to do more.

Have a good night.

Oh, my God.

Honey, I know it's important for you that your dad meets his grandkid, yeah?

It's also important for Wilmer to meet his grandpa.

Besides, if you're going through postpartum,

you gotta be close to your loved ones, right?

-I'm going through what? -Yes, look.

Family is about looking past our differences,

and I swear I hold no grudges against your dad.

What's more...

How about I find him, talk to him, make amends

-and we'll have the family we wanted? -No, I don't want that.

Look, I know my father very well.

He won't change his mind so easily.

So don't worry.

Don't worry. We're fine the way we are.

Right, sweetie?

Okay, all right.

But if you wanna talk to him or invite him over someday,

you can count on me, okay?

Okay?

Look, this afternoon...

I'm gonna sneak out, I'll leave early to come help you,

to be with you, deal?

Okay.

Bye, sweetie.

Bye.

See you later.

It's okay, sweetie.

What's up, Dad?

We're alone now.

Breakfast is ready, sweetie!

Fede!

What's up, Mayerly? Remember me?

Fabiola, of course. Leonardo's wife.

What can I do for you?

I want to talk, may I come in?

-Of course, come in. -Thanks.

It's a very nice house.

How did you know where I live?

I asked around, dear.

Mom!

What did you make for break...?

-Good morning. -Hello.

Are you a fan of the team?

-The Eagles? Yes. -They sell the uniforms here?

-No... -Go to your room, sweetie.

-What about breakfast? -I'll let you know. Put on your shoes.

Okay.

He was born at 3:20 p.m. at El Pinar clinic.

Wilmer Tirado Méndez.

With my signature as witness,

the child Wilmer Tirado Méndez is now registered before the notary

as a son of a single mother.

It's okay, sweetie.

Nothing happened between Leonardo and I.

Who gave you this house?

I'm paying for it.

Will you pay for the uniform too?

Look, Fabiola, I know this is hard for you to believe.

But Leonardo is just helping us through a very difficult time.

I didn't want his help at first,

-I wanted to avoid this. -But you let him.

I asked him to do it.

You're a mom.

Imagine your child's taken from you

and only one person is willing to help you,

to give you a hand.

That's what he was for me.

My last hope.

He's also grown fond of you, hasn't he?

Where's the necklace? It's so pretty.

-Look, Fabiola... -Listen.

Stop painting my husband as your guardian angel,

because I'm not buying it.

And, yes, I am.

I'm a woman too.

And a mom.

And I want to make one thing clear.

You won't take my son's dad away from him.

I, Emanuel Villegas Ulloa, choose you,

Dayana Tirado Méndez, to be my lawfully wedded wife,

and I give myself to you...

I promise to be faithful to you, in joy and in sorrow,

in sickness and in health, for the rest of my days.

We got married.

We're expecting a baby.

Wait a second, what? Why didn't you tell me?

Nobody knew anything, Mom.

Not Fabiola, not you, not Nora, not me.

Emanuel seems to no longer consider us family,

that's why he kept this a secret.

Emanuel, I'm not a pampered girl,

I'm not spoiled.

I don't care what my dad or anyone thinks.

I just want you and I to pull through

so we can be together, because...

Because we can and we are capable of it.

Make way for Shango,

who with his perfect balance has no bias for the rich or the poor,

the unprotected or the protected, the powerful or the humble.

Deliver us from all evils,

protect us from all enemies.

WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Bad luck has caught up with you.

What bad luck?

PAGE OF WANDS

The same one we all face at some point in life.

The same one that often finds us before prayer and remedies.

Wait, what are you seeing, Rosario?

Tell me, I'm getting worried.

NINE OF SWORDS

There's no disease, no health problems, and no deaths.

-So, you can relax. -What, then?

I see a great sadness, lots of tears caused by deceit.

But you're strong.

You'll get through this.

The time had come: the Lords of Cali,

who strutted around gringo country, who multiplied money and businesses,

who were gradually taking over the city,

were losing control over them, their women.

No wonder you acted so weird when we saw her

at Nora's graduation. Tell me...

were you supporting her then?

This explains all the late nights you said you were working.

So many excuses, so many made-up stories.

Look at me.

You're the worst.

Can you calm down? I don't want anyone to come in...

Let them come in!

Let your mom come in!

Let Nora come in! Let Michi come in!

I want to know if you lied to them too.

They weren't lied to, nothing happened.

Right, 'cause you're such a good boy and I'm the crazy one.

Look, you paid for their lawyer,

their house, brought them gifts from the US...

Or did the necklace help her keep her son?

-No, just a little gift. -Little?

-You treat them like family! -Okay!

That's enough.

I already explained things.

Believe me if you want.

All right.

You're a saint, then.

You did your good deed for the month,

for the year.

Don't ever see her again.

Her or the child.

Tell her to give everything back, even the damn necklace.

Have you lost your mind?

Call her, tell her in front of me that you won't give her

-anything else. -I won't do that.

First, don't tell me what to do.

Second, I won't leave her homeless.

Is that clear?

Dayana?

Dayana!

Dayana!

No.

No, Dayana.

Don't screw with me.

Don't screw with me, Dayana.

Not now.

What's this?

TAXI DRIVER DIES IN ROBBERY

Where are you going?

I gotta get out of here.

Wait. Calm down. Tell me what's going on.

I can't keep living with him after this.

-Why? -Tell her! Go ahead!

No, no.

Wait a second.

Nobody leaves until I know what happened.

I need an explanation.

I won't discuss it here.

Tell me, what happened? What did you do to make her want to leave?

Nothing, she found some things and jumped to conclusions.

"Jumped to conclusions"?

-It's clear what's going on with her. -"With her"?

What do you mean?

Yes, Mayerly, a street vendor he's been supporting

-for a while. -Excuse me, I'm not supporting her.

Right. He's not supporting, he's helping her.

He pays for her house, clothes, buys her gifts.

You're just so generous.

Wait a second.

Do you have another woman?

-No. -You're the one who should leave, then!

Mom. There's no affair.

You're a numbers man,

you value every cent, you always say nothing is free.

You must have had hidden motives.

What's all this shit?

It can't be.

It can't be.

Answer me.

General, the youngest one speaking.

How are you? What can I do for you?

I need your men at the airport, at the terminal,

and every road leading out of the city.

What's up? Is there a problem?

Dayana Tirado ran away with my son. They want to take him away from me.

Are you sure about all this?

Maybe she went out with the baby and...

General, that damn Colonel Tirado turned her against me,

he must be helping her get out of Cali.

I need your help.

Tirado? Wasn't that man out of the country?

That man's always been after us.

Now he wants what I love the most, the only thing I have. Believe me.

Well, if that's the case, we have to cover our bases.

I'll call my people on ground exits, you go to the airport.

Sometimes in life, we have to face hardships...

like being away from our loved ones.

But you'll learn from those moments...

and they'll make you stronger.

I love you, you know that?

Even if I leave home, I'll never leave you.

You take care of grandma now. Yes, it's your turn.

The man of the house.

Take care of your grandma and aunt.

And your mom too.

You're in good hands.

My mom and Norita love you.

You're part of this house, this family.

Fabi knows we'd never leave her alone.

You should know you're the first one...

You fulfilled my dream of being a dad.

And you helped me become the man I am now.

I'm sorry, okay?

Try to forget the bad things at least.

Leonardo.

Are you sure about all this?

Do you realize how much you're risking?

You're right, Mom.

We have to take responsibility for our mistakes.

Time will tell if it's worth it or not, right?

Oh...

Excuse me, one second.

Rivera, which flights are about to take off?

What's up? Didn't you finish your shift already?

Tell me all the flights taking off in the next two hours, okay?

...flight 1235, bound for Mexico City,

-please board... -Give me that flight's log.

No, wait, you know I don't have the airline's data here.

Well, get it. It's urgent.

I need to know who's boarding that plane. Come on.

Colonel.

We made it.

Are you sure?

An airport operator just informed me that they boarded the plane.

She'll be in Mexico City in four hours.

After an hour layover, she'll fly to the US.

Thank you, Parra.

You have nothing to thank me for.

I was indebted to you since you left the institution.

Let me tell you, I'm very happy you'll be with your daughter soon.

And my grandson.

I thought I'd never meet him.

I thought none of the Villegases would ever get what they deserve.

I wish they'd face the law too.

Their time to face justice will come.

For now, at least we hit them where it hurts the most.

Family.

How about a toast?

Cheers, Colonel.

What's this shit?

My son without my surname? It gotta be fake.

I don't know, the airline gave us this list.

My son doesn't have my surname, get it?

Single mothers don't need the father's authorization

to take minors abroad, you know this.

CLUB BRISAS

Fill it up and let me hear it again.

This is the fourth time in a row.

Let me hear it five, six, as many times as I want.

You know we spoil you here, but people get angry.

I don't care about people, okay?

They never had a bad night?

They never had to leave their house as all their lies got exposed?

I no longer have a house, I no longer have a wife either.

I saw it coming.

In fact, I was asking for it.

It doesn't make it any easier to accept. Do it.

-Okay, one more. -One more.

That's it!

To women.

To the ones leaving and the ones coming.

And to you too, honey.

And just like that, they replace us.

And their lives continue.

But what about us?

Take note, Nora.

You can't trust anybody just like that.

I know you're understanding, but you're his mom.

So, forgive me.

The same happened to me. I get it, sweetie.

How do you think I felt when Joselín left? Do you remember when Dad left?

Alone, with three kids, not knowing where to go, what to do.

With so much anger, so much sadness.

With so much pain.

Do as you want, sweetie.

Vent as much as you want! Today.

Tomorrow, hold your head up high,

pull yourself up by your bootstraps, for you and for Fabiancito.

That's easy to say.

Fabi, listen to my mom.

She knows what she's talking about.

Besides, being with one or the other,

it's all the same in the end.

Listen, one thing is true.

One doesn't walk in unless the door is open.

Yes, that's true.

Wise words.

Patience, sweetie, this too shall pass.

You'll see, nothing lasts forever.

Let's have a toast!

That's it! To women! Come on, I'll give you some!

Let's see.

-Cheers! -Cheers!

What are you doing alone?

Enjoying the fact I no longer have to report back to anybody.

How come? What happened?

What happened?

What didn't happen?

Fabiola threw me out of the house, and so did Mom.

They want nothing to do with me.

They found out about Mayerly.

About the gifts I gave her, about the money, about the boy.

You know, it was an absolute mess.

They found out you were lying to Fabiola?

There's no worse offense to a woman than spending money on someone else.

If you want, I can talk to Mom

-so you can smooth things over. -No, don't do that.

Take care of your family, focus on them and your wife,

so she won't catch you off guard.

Too late.

You lost your home, I lost my son.

My son.

When one fell down, he dragged the other one down too.

They had promised to always stand by each other.

That's why joy and tragedy would come in twofold till the end.

BASED ON THE BOOK EL CARTEL DE LOS SAPOS

BY ANDRÉS LÓPEZ

Subtitle translation by: María Lía Mujica