Original subtitles

HE WHO DOESN'T KNOW HISTORY IS DOOMED TO REPEAT IT

PABLO ESCOBAR, THE LORD OF EVIL

The Governor was admired by the Antioquians.

Yes, General.

All of Antioquia loved him dearly.

When we talked over the phone I didn't think this would be so serious.

Such is the power of the Medellin cartel and of Pablo Escobar.

Unimaginable, General.

The problem is we'll get a lot of pressure.

Do we know anything about Pablo Escobar?

The only thing I know about him

- is that he wants me dead. - Colonel, please.

Excuse me, General, but with all due respect

I warned you of the threats I've received.

A car bomb almost killed me and killed an innocent person. My family is afraid.

Please sit down, Colonel.

Colonel, I can't remove you from your post at the moment.

What does that mean, General?

That I'll be the next dead person on that list?

No, Colonel, that won't happen because the institution will protect you.

What it means, is that I need more time

to make the best decision

in finding a person who can replace you.

And in the meantime?

Meanwhile, Colonel,

we have to be careful.

Very careful.

Excuse me, General.

What does that mean, General?

That I'm going to be

- the next dead person on that list? - Your death is imminent, leave Medellin.

That won't happen because the institution will protect you.

what it means, is that I need more time

to make the best decision.

What's wrong?

Honey, that's what we want to know. What's wrong?

Dad, what did General Ulloa say?

Nothing.

The flight leaves in around one hour.

It is incredible what is happening in Colombia.

We have to add terrorism to all the problems of this country.

No.

The problem is only one: drug trafficking. That's the real problem.

If this is what happens to a governor, think about how an ordinary person feels.

This must have been terrible for Colonel Quintana

because the attempt was on him.

Can you imagine the uncertainty this poor man is feeling?

He knows he's under the gaze of Pablo Escobar.

He must leave the city, and they have to improve his personal safety.

Poor man. Poor man and poor family.

I totally agree with you in that, Mrs. Gloria, because it's the truth.

And if we don't want to tell sad stories, we shouldn't come back

because guaranteeing your security will be hard.

That would make many people happy,

but Medellin is the second most important city of the country,

so obviously we have to come back to campaign.

If you think it's so difficult to guarantee Luis Carlos' security

please tell us and we'll talk with General Peraza.

No, Mrs. Gloria, prevention is better than curing.

I said it's hard but not impossible.

I can guarantee his safety, right, Sebastian?

Of course, Sir.

I can't.

Cain, turn this thing on.

What? It's already on. Look at the button.

It's on.

Are you sure you learned how to build that, Candonga?

What?

You see, the bomb is technically armed.

The problem for it is to explode.

Yeah, that's so funny.

Why don't you go to Medellin and stop wasting your time?

Topo, why are you sending them to Medellin?

Let them stay, so I can talk to somebody instead of being bored.

No, you're not doing anything. This is very serious business.

I need people who work, who can do things well,

not some idiots who only know how to shoot.

But we are helping, man.

What a way to help! Here, hold this.

No, look, asshole.

- Me first. - No, me.

- No, me. - No, me.

What happened in Medellin with the Governor

is further proof of Pablo Escobar's power.

I know many of you are afraid to come work at El Espectador.

You're afraid of what might happen to you.

You're scared we might get a car bomb.

Excuse my interruption, Mrs. Ana Maria,

but none of that diminishes our commitment to the newspaper.

I know, and that's why I want to talk to you.

If any of you feel that

you don't want to continue working in the newspaper,

you can do it.

You are free to leave.

You don't have to answer now,

but think about it.

About yourselves,

about your families,

and evaluate if it's worth it to continue working at the newspaper.

Think about it.

Thank you, excuse me.

I have to leave now.

Won't you tell us what you talked about with General Ulloa?

I imagine you insisted on getting transfered.

Yes, but he said he had to study the situation and that he needed time.

That is absurd, father.

That's another reason why I want to leave the police.

What?

Well, yes, Mom.

The Chief of Police doesn't even care about his own men

or about Colombians. He just wants to save his ass.

All right, don't say that.

The General told me he'll help me.

I only have to keep working and wait.

I don't understand why General Ulloa doesn't understand the danger

of living in this city.

Jesus! Wait for what, Oswald?

After what we have gone through, I'm afraid to go outside.

Nothing will happen to me.

Oh, Dad, come on, you don't believe that.

I really get so angry, Dad. Death is waiting out there,

- and you're running towards it like mad. - Ernesto, don't say that.

But Mom, everybody knows Pablo Escobar wants to kill my father. That's no secret.

Yes, dear,

Ernesto is right,

but in spite of that, starting tomorrow I will be without my bodyguards.

I hope it's clear.

Dad, are you sure of what you're saying?

You all know the back room is mine, okay?

Why? I saw it first.

- I'll take the one in the middle. - No, I'm the eldest.

Come on, children!

Juan Manuel!

Son, what happened?

All the rooms are very nice. They are all the same.

Daddy, how was the trip to Medellin?

Very well.

Don't give me that face.

You know I couldn't take you.

But when there's less pressure,

I promise we'll travel together, okay?

Come on, come on, let's go.

I'm not fixing anyone's room.

Oh, I can't believe we are already in this apartment.

I swear I felt homeless in the other house.

Hopefully security here will function properly.

What's wrong, Miss Worry?

Here we are,

and the office is in this same building. It'll be better.

So I wish.

Who can be calling here?

I don't even know the number yet.

Hello.

Mr. Galan, you're in your new apartment.

The only way to come out of all this alive is by giving up the nomination.

That's it.

What happened? Who was it?

Boss, what a mess with the governor.

I want to say I'm very sorry because the job with the Colonel didn't work out,

but I can assure you that it will, Sir.

I began that job and I myself will finish it, I can assure you.

Look, Chili, what happens is that...

right now Colonel Oswald Quintana knows we are going after him,

and now he's probably being guarded by 500 cops.

But if you're thinking of killing him, I think that not only

does it have to be a very complex plan but also a very clever plan.

If they're not already thinking of moving this man to another city.

Well, boss, even if they move him to the Amazon,

I'll go there and kill the shit out of that man.

I can assure you.

I'll find a way to kill him.

Just give me a few more days.

Okay, kid.

Thank you very much.

Excuse me.

How can you go around without protection in this city

after what happened? Jesus! Oswald, that is absurd.

Honey, please, lower your voice. They might hear us.

I don't care if they do. I want you to come to your senses.

I agree with my Mom.

You can't go around without the police escort, Dad.

Listen, I know it's difficult to understand,

but just think for a bit.

Pablo Escobar is chasing an elephant,

therefore the more bodyguards and official cars I have around me,

the easier it will be for him to find me.

On the other hand, if I become insignificant, like a rat,

I'll mislead him. And do you know why? Because he can't imagine

that a person as threatened as I am

can go around freely, with no bodyguards and in a private car.

- A private car? - Yes, dear.

I can't go around in an official car.

I can't be an easy target for him.

It sounds like a good idea,

but I think we should continue with the transfer, Dad.

Well yes, that will happen,

but we know this will take time, son.

So, what I need to do is wait.

And do everything possible to mislead the enemy.

I'm going to have a talk with Olga Lucia and Andres,

but I'm sure they are going to think this solution is absurd.

Ana, it's the only one we have.

Besides, I think it's the only way to avoid

putting in danger the lives of those young boys

who are not to blame for what's happening in this country.

Do you know what, honey?

Give me that.

You know something?

The new strategy and the Virgin Mary

will protect me.

Look how delicious this is, honey.

You have to eat it all, okay?

Thanks, honey. Oh, you look so cute.

Oh my. Oh my. God bless.

God bless.

If it weren't for Maria Jose your daddy would be very lonely here, very lonely.

But whoever asked my dad

to come here to be alone in this loneliness?

Well, he likes his mountains and his fields.

Doing something you enjoy is never a chore.

Listen, Pablo,

I've been thinking,

and I surely believe that Doctor Galan

is going to be the next president of Colombia.

If he is,

he will extradite all of you.

I've known President Caldera for over 20 years,

and we see each other every three or four years.

And once he said to me: "You know something? Why I want you to succeed?"

I asked him, "Why, Mr. President?"

And he said, "Because you are the only case I know

in Latin America, in fifty years of political life,

of a person who has assumed a non-conformist attitude, a rebel,

an enthusiast for a social change

without resorting to violence or to Nazism.

Therefore if ever you are successful you'd show that it's possible."

Believe me, I'm doing everything to prevent this man from coming to power,

but this is a very difficult and complicated task.

Pablo, you don't understand.

Look, you already did politics when you were in Congress

with that Mr. Santorini,

and that didn't work, right?

You can go on and on giving money

to his campaign, and you can be sure he won't be the President of this country.

People don't like him.

On the other hand, everyone loves and believes in Mr. Galan,

so then, you have to look for a rapprochement.

Anticipate events, try to speak with him,

try presenting something new but directly with him.

All right, mother, I have a few things pending,

but I promise that I'll dedicate time to Galan.

All right.

I believe we could intercept the telephone line,

so that when they call again we can do something.

Yes, but what does that mean?

That someone could hear our conversations?

- Inevitably. - No.

I don't think that's necessary, General.

These threats don't bother me as long as I have my security scheme.

Senator, I would like to remind you that General Peraza

of the Security Department is in charge of your security scheme.

Yes, I know.

And as a matter of fact, do you know anything

about Lieutenant Tomas Pereira?

Senator, this lieutenant no longer belongs to the institution,

and actually I haven't had time to know him enough to give you my opinion.

Excuse me, General.

I want to tell you that we talked with the neighbors,

and there's nothing we have to worry about.

Very well, the four patrols we promised are on their way

and will be placed in strategic locations.

What I want to ask you

is that your children should only go out when strictly necessary.

We must avoid any vulnerability. Okay?

- General, thank you. - Thank you, General

Excuse me.

- General. - Excuse me.

We warned him and tried to avoid the problem, but nothing happened.

That's too bad because you might be losing that money.

Well, we have to give him another opportunity.

We have to wait for him to make a mistake

and then go ahead.

But when would that be then?

Sir, I don't know yet.

We need to wait for him to make a public appearance and stick to the plan.

Okay, well let's hope it's soon

because, between us,

the sooner the better.

Yes sir, we even have his pants infiltrated.

Okay kid, you're ready then.

Yes sir, but as I said we just have to wait for a public appearance,

and that will be the end of this guy's life.

But when will that be?

Didn't you say you had infiltrated the bodyguards?

Well, then you should have access to Mr. Galan's agenda.

Be patient, Pablo.

This is the worst patient we have ever had to face in our lives.

Everything's pending.

So what's new, kid?

All nice and orderly, right?

Take care. That's it. Weigh it.

Weigh it well.

What a beautiful production, isn't it?

Hey, watch out! The cops are here, the police!

Look in the back.

Go to the back. There must be a way out. Look for the doors!

Come on, patrols,

Surround the area, surround the area.

The men just left!

And where is that laboratory?

Oh, close to Medellin.

Okay, I'll be waiting for the news. Yes.

Yes, we'll leave space on the front page.

We'll be expecting. All right, good bye.

They found a drug lab. It seems to be Escobar's.

Oh, our executioner will love this news.

Whether he likes it or not, we're publishing it.

Mrs. Ana Maria, Nene and I would like to talk with you

about what you said the other day.

Only you two?

We came on behalf of the editorial.

I see. Sit down.

Well,

you're not wrong when you say...

that many of us are fearful about coming to work.

Fear which is dealt with humor, right?

Like the joke of the bomb falling when a plane passes by.

Yes.

Well, however,

and even though we don't know what may happen,

we are committed to Don Guillermo

and to El Espectador.

Nobody is going to resign.

You and your family can count on us no matter what.

Thank you very much.

In my heart,

I knew that was going to be the answer,

but I had to make the offer.

Thank you.

Look, Pablo, you know I don't agree with the things you do, brother,

but we have to do something to that Colonel.

I had that cache and was able to escape,

otherwise he'd have caught me.

3,500 kilos, man. What a shitty mess, Pablo.

Those were the ones I was waiting for. We'll have to cancel.

That fucking bastard.

You see what I mean?

There he is, carrying out operations himself!

I have people waiting for the Colonel's caravan to pass by.

He has to take that route to go to the school of police.

Stop talking bullshit, Chili.

Stop talking shit.

He's already been warned, and it won't be easy.

Chili, listen to me very carefully.

Beginning right now,

each and every one of the workers and people I have working for us

will all be after Colonel Oswald Quintana to kill him.

All of you, including the two morons who are in Bogotá doing nothing.

- Yes, sir. - Okay go, go.

POLICE ACADEMY

Sorry to bother you, Colonel.

It's no bother, second lieutenant. How can I help you?

Well, not me exactly.

I'd like to know if you could help me with my father's transfer.

Second lieutenant,

part of the commitment we make as policemen

is to obey our superiors.

And right now the order for your father is to remain in Antioquia.

Don't you think it's a preposterous order,

staying in Antioquia when everybody knows they want to kill him?

That could be interpreted as cowardly.

I disagree. My father is no coward.

It's only a sense of survival.

Please don't misunderstand me.

I would do the same.

If I were him, I'd also ask for a transfer.

Especially because of Pablo Escobar's excessive power.

But no one else can do it, and he can't quit.

My father won't abandon his post.

He keeps working every day. He even goes out without bodyguards.

So now tell me, do you think he's a coward?

Of course not.

Colonel Quintana is one of the bravest officers of the institution.

So then?

Look, lieutenant.

Have you ever thought

what could happen to the officer who'd replace him?

He would have two options--

let Escobar bribe him or die.

General Ulloa knows that perfectly well.

It's not an easy decision for him.

Let's see if I understand, Colonel. The one who has to die is my father?

Everyone knows that Escobar wants to kill my father,

and the saddest thing is that my father

knows the police are not doing anything for him.

Of course there could be another solution.

his asking for discharge.

Luis Carlos,

you should have had back surgery ages ago, but I'm tired of saying this.

Yayo, don't leave these in the dinning room.

One of these days I'll get it done. Thank you, Juan Manuel.

That massage is enough.

You can't be president with that crooked back.

And what does it have to do with the presidency?

You'd to live on the floor,

or sitting down tired.

I've been wanting to be president for the past 8 years,

during which my back has been hurting.

Don't you think I can stand the pain for the presidential period?

Fortunately there is no re-election.

Yes, fortunately.

Dad, when you become president, can we go out?

Come here, son.

I can assure you that this is temporary, okay?

Everything will get better.

Dad, I'm scared.

No,

don't be scared.

Nothing will happen to me.

I swear.

Mr. Galan,

polls say you are the favorite to win the query.

If you win, you are virtually the President of Colombia.

I would like to talk to you, Mrs. Gloria and your kids.

Well then, let them talk because I've already talked enough.

So, who will be the first to tell me

about a great moment with your Dad.

I not only have one,

I have many, of my tours with my Dad.

- Do you go with him? - Yes.

And he's the best campaign buddy that exists.

We've been together to about 300 municipalities.

Hey, 480.

How about this kid, huh?

What's most impressive is that he knows exactly

who is a liberal and who isn't.

Incredible. What do you like the most about going with your Dad?

Well, first of all, traveling, going out,

but what I most like is to go to public squares

and see how people love my Dad.

They look at him, touch him, hug him. They love him a lot.

- Liberal poll results. - Galan's support growth

has been exponential,

and today he comes first in all the polls over all the other candidates.

In that sense we have to be pragmatic, Pablo.

Senator Galan must be eliminated, and I know how.

Galan's campaign continues across the whole territory,

bringing his innovative ideas against corruption.

Wait a minute.

Wait.

Okay, ready. Yes, now I can hear you. What?

The man has a presentation in Medellin,

but as you know I'm preparing everything for Bogota.

Do you think it can be done over there?

Of course, Mariachi. Count on that.

You know this is our territory.

Send him over here, and we'll take care of him.

Go ahead. Thank you very much.

Attention, gentlemen.

Mariachi has just called

to say that the presidential candidate,

Mr. Luis Carlos Galan Sarmiento, will be coming

to Medellin in the next few days

to be in a public demonstration.

He will also give a lecture at the University of Antioqua.

Therefore, we believe

that this is the perfect opportunity to get the job done.

Ready, sir, for whatever.

Where do you want us to do the job?

At the demonstration or during the lecture?

What do you think, Topo?

Well, boss,

it's risky at the public demonstration because it's full of people, right?

At the university it's more discreet.

You think you look young enough to get inside?

That's going to be full of cops.

That's right.

But we won't go in.

Then what, Marino? Where are you planning to do it?

We'll send him a flash when he's getting in.

Frankly, Marino, I can't believe you keep trusting in bombs

after the mess you made last time.

Sir, I was actually thinking about a rocket, you get me?

Do you have people for that?

Yes, sir.

Okay, do it.

Colonel, so the strategy from now on is to change cars all week?

Yes. I had some trouble convincing the management, but they agreed.

That's why you must

dress as a civilian from now on, and while you are at my service, do not shave.

We have to confuse the enemy.

As you say, Colonel.

Look, Pineda,

I only have gratitude towards you

for the way you serve me.

But I'll be clear with you.

I am one of the most threatened persons in this city.

Here I'm in real danger.

So if you...

don't wish to be with me, you only have to tell me.

No Colonel, on the contrary. Believe me, it is an honor to guard you,

and I'll do my best.

But Pineda, you have a family.

Are you sure?

Completely sure, Colonel. I'll be with you until death.

I hope it won't come to that.

Look, that guy in black is him.

And now go and cry someplace else.

So, Marino what's new, kid?

Then what, buddy?

Then what, buddy?

Tell me, man.

How's everything going, brother?

I've heard you're doing very well, that you have bodyguards and stuff.

Some friends, Topo.

Jason Hurtado, but those who know me call me Costra.

- What's new, brother? - Nothing, kicking the ball.

I have a question.

Go ahead.

Do you still "play around" with rockets?

That depends.

Depends?

That's very delicate.

It's for the boss.

Count on it! Tell the Virgin Mary and on to it!

Shall we start?

Yes, sure. Let's go.

Come on, you clumsy guys, keep on playing!

The security issue for the arrival of Mr. Galan is critical.

We must guarantee his protection at the public demonstration

and at the University.

You have to understand one thing.

The critical area is the street.

There, we'll form two security rings

with permanent inspections.

Once in the square, we will have the support of neighboring municipalities,

and once inside, we will have snipers by the church and the Governor's office.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

- Confirm the interview. - Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

There are many requests but one in particular.

They're asking for a public appearance with the Mayor of Soacha.

Diego Uribe is handling the event. Party members will attend. What do we say?

What do you think?

Well, I don't know.

Anyhow, we'll have time to think about that.

Now we must concentrate on something more important,

the chief of debates.

You can't go on campaign, Luis Carlos, without it.

I know, I know.

The thing is, I would like someone who hasn't been with us all the time.

Someone from the liberal party, who could help me with the communications.

Well,

I have a proposal for you.

Cesar Gaviria, the former Minister.

He's liberal, right? He was a very good Minister of Government

and has no presidential aspirations.

I think he could be a wonderful speaker for the party.

The director of the presidential campaign, Mr. Cesar Gaviria Trujillo.

That is how the 42-year-old economist,

former mayor of Pereira, and former Minister of Finance and of the Interior

strengthens Luis Carlos Galan's liberal consultation campaign

and becomes an ideal teammate to ingratiate Galan to the Liberal Party

and the political class that he had drawn away

when he left the Party to found his movement.

He returned to the Liberal Party and is determined to win the candidacy

Keep still, man. Put your hands up. Put them up, man!

But what? What?

I have a business proposal.

A proposal, brother? You are mistaken. I'm a cop, kid.

Yes, I know, and what do you want me to do about it, huh?

So, you're very proud? Very proud?

Here's what you have to do.

You are Colonel Quintana's driver, right?

So...

here's the deal.

You help me to kill Colonel Quintana,

you give him to me,

and I won't kill your family,

beginning with your daughters.

Don't give me that look.

I'll be looking for you,

you hear?

- Hello. - Hello.

Adelaida, honey, is anything wrong?

No, relax. I remembered that by now in Colombia

my grandmother would've almost finished his work,

and I just wanted to say hello.

Thank you, my little one.

You scared me a bit, I thought something had happened to you.

We are fine here. We are worried about you and our uncles.

Darling, you don't have to worry about anything.

You only have to be happy because you're a little girl.

That's hard because my Dad and Uncle Fer put on long faces all day long!

We miss you.

No, don't cry, honey.

Nothing is wrong here. Everything is fine.

You are fine over there, and we are fine over here.

Soon we will all be together again, honey.

Soon is when? We want to go back to Bogota.

Well, I don't know, but as soon as I do, I promise I'll tell you, okay?

Now go to bed. It's very late over there, and you'll wake everybody up.

Go to sleep, honey, and rest. I send you many kisses.

I love you very much.

I also love you very much.

- It looks great, right? - Yes.

Besides we have a cache at the back.

Those cops won't catch me off-guard again.

That's what it's about.

And to flee like a rat? Bullshit.

Oh, God!

Hello, honey.

What is she...?

Hello.

What are you doing here?

Give me some chinstraps.

Are you going to put masks on them?

Do you want them to get high? Give me some.

This is really incredible.

Come here, Emilio, and put this on please.

Come here, baby, and I'll put this on that little face.

You see it smells very bad here, right?

Now, go with uncle Fabio, go ahead.

Come on, kid.

- How are you? - This is really incredible.

What the hell are you doing bringing the children here, Patty?

Have you gone nuts or what?

Why? Is there something to hide?

I'm so sorry. I thought the children knew what was the family business.

Or don't you think Emilio knows?

Patricia, please don't do this to me.

I beg you, don't do this to me.

All right then, Pablo. Please don't do this anymore.

The children are no longer in school. They have no friends, they have nothing.

We aren't normal people.

- All right, then. - Is this what you want for them?

What can we do? This is the life we have for the time being.

Fix your problems with the government,

stop sending cocaine, and let's go and live abroad.

- Okay. - We could do that.

- I want a normal family, Pablo. - I'm working on that.

You are working on that?

Sending more cocaine? Putting more bombs?

Huh? Seriously, Pablo, is that what you want for us?

Patricia, please understand

that at this time I can't do anything else. I can't go back now,

you understand? Once you start, you must go on.

I have to continue fighting for my ideals, so that in a nearby future

I can give you whatever you want and need. Please understand!

Where is the bathroom?

This is simply unbelievable.

This series is freely adapted from La Parábola de Pablo by Alonso Salazar.

Based on news articles and real events, the historical facts are surrounded

by fictional characters and dialogues that recreate non-documented situations.