Original subtitles

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

PABLO ESCOBAR, THE LORD OF EVIL

This is the limit!

If someone had told me that, I wouldn't have believed it!

What about that bunch of crazy guys disguised as cyclists?

But Germán is the undisputed champion.

- What do you mean? - Who believed you were a cyclist?

The coach.

You look just like a bottle of milk, don't you?

- What about this cheeky one? - You really look funny.

But there were no larger sizes.

What's up, Pablo? How have you been?

Very good, Pedro, fortunately very good.

Listen to us, man, because this is a technical stop.

We want to tell you that we have been thinking a lot about it,

and, although the decision hasn't been made yet,

we are seriously considering surrendering.

Pablo, the situation is very serious.

You have no idea how unsafe it is all over.

I don't know if you do,

but Ramada thinks that none of us should surrender.

What do you mean, man?

Let's be clear, Pablo, I think we are like family.

Listen, you don't agree that we all kill each other, do you?

I definitively don't want that, Pedro. Who could think such a stupid thing?

Of course I immediately put Ramada in his place.

But you have to understand

that the denouncing issue is very complicated, quite tough.

Wait a moment, Pablo.

It must be made clear that nobody is going to denounce anybody.

We just have to confess a crime. That's what the decree is asking for.

Listen to me, Julio.

For a long time you have been doing

whatever you want with your lives,

and I've always accepted that.

But if you are asking my opinion,

let me tell you that the decree is very dangerous

because the Government may hire a group of lawyers

who are vulnerable, easily influenced,

and they can add a little clause, a little norm, a little article,

and the decree that you sign today may end up being a six foot-gringo

who tells you: "Welcome to the United States,

because the decree became your extradition ticket."

Do you understand?

Watch it, boys,

because what Pablo is saying makes sense, and I think he is quite right.

Of course I am right, Germán. I took advice from lawyers

and you should do the same before signing that decree.

Hire professionals, And, if you want,

bring a group of gringo lawyers who explain you how things are.

And if you are going to accept the decree, you must look at it carefully:

commas, parentheses, periods, everything.

I think the whole decree is unfair and suicidal.

Well, anyhow, everything is a change of life, isn't it?

Yes.

At least, we are more at ease now,

because those kidnappings and your fight against Escobar

had become quite a problem.

Oh yes! Daniel, thank God you got out of that.

We are going to be much more at ease.

- What happened to you? - My ankle!

Carmiña, please ask the boys to help us.

Let's go to a clinic. Calm down. Nothing bad happened.

Okay. Up, gentlemen! C'mon, move, we are leaving.

We don't have all day. Let's go!

Tell us what's happening! Where are we going?

We will soon get to the house where we are going to meet.

Don't worry.

Get in.

Is this the house where we are going to do the interview?

Exactly, madam.

And can you tell me why at this hour?

For security reasons, madam. Our commander can't move at daylight,

therefore the interview has to be done before dawn.

Do you know something? I don't believe a word of what you are saying.

So I demand that you tell us right now what we are doing here!

- Why did you bring us to this place? - That's the truth, madam.

No, it's not!

Father Reyes isn't going to come to Medellín, and you know why?

Because he doesn't have the slightest idea

that we were brought here with lies supposedly to interview him. Let's leave!

- You are going nowhere, madam! - What's going on?

- Armando, bring the other ones. - Come in, come in.

Quiet, please!

You are not in the hands of a guerrilla group.

You are being held by the Extraditable.

Please, go to the room. Armando, you already know what you should do.

- Gentlemen, the tour is over. - Easy, easy...

C'mon, collaborate, c'mon, c'mon.

Get in.

C'mon, collaborate.

Move.

I know you haven't arrived at the final destination yet,

and I'm sorry to call you at this time

to tell you that Diana finally decided to interview Father Reyes,

and I'm quite worried because we haven't heard from her.

She left last Thursday and said she would be away for five days,

and it is time she was back in Bogotá.

So I think that you should come back right away.

That's what I will do, but tell me all you know.

Nothing. As I said, she hasn't called the newscast office,

not even here to say she's all right.

Yes, this is extremely worrying,

and we need an immediate reaction.

I will cancel my trip right away and go back to Bogotá.

Yes, I think it is very important to have you here.

Mr. President, Diana left to do an interview a long time ago.

She should be back by now.

If things were doing all right, she would have already called.

Mr. President, I took the liberty

to send some emissaries to talk to the guerrillas,

but they said they don't have Diana

and have no idea about the interview with Father Reyes.

Please understand my anguish, Mr. President. Help us.

I called Julio César, and he cancelled his trip.

We all know that when Diana accepted to do that interview,

she would be at high risk.

Mr. President, she did it for the peace of Colombia.

Have the other journalists' families got any news?

- No. - General...

Mr. President, conjecturing under these circumstances is very delicate,

but according to the operating plan and the time she has been disappeared,

I would dare say it is a kidnapping.

The question now is: who did it?

Mr. Giraldo...

If the guerrillas say they don't have them,

there is only one other group that has committed these kidnappings before.

JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Okay, stop arguing. Go home and rest. You already did enough today.

There is still much work to do here. Let me help you, okay?

I said no. Don't be stubborn!

Not only do you not pay attention to me,

but I have to work all day. No way. Go, go.

But you know me, I don't like to idle,

I won't stay at home even if I have to break my back.

Stop it, go, go. Help her. So long, dear.

Be careful with that. So long.

- How are you, madam? - I'm sorry, we are closed already.

Oh, my dear lady. Help us, you can't imagine how hungry we are.

- Rice with egg will do, okay? - And ketchup, my love.

All right, all right. Wait a moment.

Thank you. What a nice person. She looks like my aunt Lucy.

- Really? - Yes, exactly like her.

- Unhand me! Unhand me, sir! - Make her shut up!

Don't move!

- C'mon. Let's go, let's go. - Let's go, Zarco. Let's go!

Get in, get in.

Breaking news!

The police have just confirmed that Fernan Santana,

journalist and editor of El Tiempo newspaper,

and Carmiña Bedoya,

sister of the former private secretary of President Daniel Bedoya,

were kidnapped in Bogotá a few hours ago.

They messed with the son of the owner of the most important newspaper

in the country.

That is quite clear.

This confirms that their kidnapping and ours are part of the same plan.

Of course, that's a strategy to press the government.

But what's so clear to you, Mrs. Diana?

Well, that our kidnapping is not an isolated action,

and the Extraditable haven't made it public

not to put the other people on the alert.

But it is impossible that, after being locked in here for 19 days,

the Government doesn't know we have been kidnapped.

They guess it, of course. Or they think we are dead.

The situation has become really complicated for the country.

And very difficult for president Gaviria.

I think the government should make a statement

asking for the release of the journalists.

Oh God! What a complicated situation for mine and Fernan's fathers.

But former president Turbay is a very wise person,

and I'm sure he knows how to handle this the best way.

I'm so worried about him and my mother.

I want to read you a message I wrote in my diary,

and I hope they will get it soon:

"Dad, I've always known that you can't negotiate a principle

because of any of us. That, I understand.

I only hope that whatever decision you make

is the most convenient for the sake of peace."

Okay, okay, okay. What's the fuss? What's the chatter?

Very happy with the news, or what?

Why are you so rude? Why do you talk to us like that?

Show some respect!

Besides, I think it's about time for us to get in touch with our families!

You will soon, Mrs. Turbay.

And please stop bothering or I will confiscate your radio!

We must search them everywhere, General.

We can't allow what happened when they kidnapped Mr. Pastrana.

When they took him to Medellín. You get me?

I perfectly understand it, Mr. President.

The whole city police are looking for them.

I'm telling you that...

Hello?

Tell me that's not true, that Carmiña is here.

No.

Watch your step, little queen. This is your new home.

Please make yourself comfortable, change clothes and rest,

because this is going to take a while. You hear?

Wait.

Could you get me something for the backache?

This isn't a drugstore, dear.

Try to accommodate yourself on the other side and relax.

My brother is no longer the president.

Kidnapping me won't help at all.

Listen to me, lady.

I only follow orders and collect my money.

So, you can discuss that with the boss.

Who is the boss? Pablo Escobar?

Watch it, lady. Don't ask too much

because you may be sorry, you hear? Accommodate yourself instead.

Wait. Wait, please.

Get me a pain reliever. I can't move.

And matches for the candle and the cigarettes.

Here you have the matches. Make them last because there are very few left.

I'll get your pill. Don't worry. You are in good hands.

Watch it, there is a small step here. To the left.

Very careful. Straight ahead.

Straight ahead.

There is a small door in here. Watch it, lower your head.

Here, to the left. Be careful.

That's it.

That's it. You can put your glasses on now.

All right, sir, this is going to be your space.

Here you have a TV set for you to watch the Santa Fe soccer game.

I imagine you are a fan of that team, aren't you?

I'm a fan of the Once Caldas. Turn it on, turn it on.

Will you tell me what I am doing here?

- Give me a second. - Listen.

Give me that little device, please.

No, no, I can't live without it. I suffer from asthma.

All right, you have this to watch the game and calm down.

Will you tell me what I'm doing here?

Why am I been detained? What happened?

Nothing has happened, sir. My father always said to me:

"Listen, son, don't ask, just obey",

and that's what I do, obey, okay?

Sorry for not accompanying you, but I'm going to watch the game in another place.

Listen, do you think I can call my family?

Tell my parents and my wife that I'm okay?

No, you can't. You can't.

Well,

I'd...

really like to watch the game.

But please stay and we'll talk, okay?

No, for someone who is so scared, you talk too much.

No, wait, wait.

- What about me? - What do you mean?

Where am I?

Where are you? In the hands of fate. May Mary accompany you.

Those three Chuscos ended up being real champs. Congratulations.

Boss, I had told you those three were more effective than anything.

Yes, we have to pay them soon, and keep them working for us.

Yes, sir.

They already know what their work is and how to do it very well.

Listen, Mole. Who baptized them Chuscos?

They baptized themselves Chuscos, boss. Because of the authorities,

and because they all have CH in their names:

Poncho, Sancho and Lucho.

All right, leave me alone now. I'm going to talk to my wife.

- Yes, sir. - Thank you very much, Mole.

At last? Thank you very much. Seven.

- What's this? - Your mother sent it to you.

Oh this is really delicious. Thank you very much, my love.

With pleasure.

Mister, I read the surrender decree.

What do you think about it?

That it contains all you need.

You will admit to any crime, you go to jail.

In the meantime, Peluche and I will take care of the business,

the money, everything. That means you aren't going to worry about anything.

Let's say they will sentence you to five years, seven at the most.

You are still too young now. When you get out of jail,

you will be 45 to 47 and then we will start to enjoy life,

spend the money, share with the family and be happy.

How long does a presidential period last?

Four years.

How long has Mr. César Gaviria Trujillo been in office?

- He has just took office. - So how much does he have left?

Four years.

All right. What if five years from now another president takes office,

revokes that decree and decides to extradite me,

and the gringos will give me, let's say, five life sentences

plus the five years you already gave me? How many years are we talking about?

Pablo, the President is giving you an opportunity.

- I know, Patty. - Yes.

- And I thank him for that. - Yes.

The problem is that the one who gives the opportunities here

is Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria, not César Gaviria Trujillo.

That's the big difference,

and I am not going to give him any opportunities.

Latest news!

It has just been confirmed that the Director of Pluto Newscast,

as well as the other disappeared journalists,

were kidnapped by the self-called Extraditable,

who announced their demands.

The Extraditable were very clear in two subjects:

One, a mechanism that will guarantee them no extradition to the United States

and a substantial sentence reduction.

They want to avoid prison in the USA and end up on the street.

Exactly.

Those guys are going to kill my son! They are going to kill him!

Mr. Santana, calm down, please.

No government in the world would commute their sentence.

- Am I wrong, Mr. Gaviria? - You are quite right.

That's not going to happen. Not during my government.

Mr. Gaviria, put your hand on your heart.

I understand your position and that of all the hostages' families.

But understand mine, Mrs. Nidia. I am the president of this country.

Tell me how would I explain to Colombia that the biggest assassin and terrorist

in the history of this country is going to be pardoned?

Mr. Giraldo, you have a call and they say it is very important.

Please excuse me.

All I can tell you is that we have to admit this harsh reality:

those men are going to kill our children.

Mr. Santana, that doesn't help us at all.

Escobar is not going to kill anyone.

He has the hostages to press the government.

He's always liked to do that.

He wants to overpower the government just to be able to make demands.

He has already gone through that.

Not only when he kidnapped my son but thousands of times.

When he put bombs on us, when he killed politicians,

killed policemen, killed judges.

I thought he was already going to leave me in peace.

What can be done, Mr. President?

I'm calling not only on my behalf but that of my brothers too.

Mr. Giraldo, we are going to give in.

"Dear mother,

during all this time I have been away from home,

I has been able to realize how difficult it is to be separated

from the people you love the most, and more when you lack everything.

But I wouldn't like you to feel sad because I know that soon...

we will be together with the family,

remembering this bad moment I would never wish another human being to experience.

Regards to everybody and many blessings.

I love you and I miss you. Diana."

But what's this lack of respect? Didn't they say you had to be dressed?

Do we have to see you nude too now? Get out and get dressed!

All those who know me

know how difficult it is to for me to record this message.

KIDNAPPED

When my son Fernan was kidnapped, I was abroad and came back immediately.

Someone called the newspaper to say the Extraditable had him,

and then they said the Extraditable wouldn't accept surrender,

and demanded a political treatment.

That's the typical request of Escobar

when he found out what happened to the MR20 movement

and that's what he wants.

Mr. President, they are willing to negotiate.

Mr. Santana, a decree is ready saying any drug trafficker

who wants to surrender will have legal support.

Naturally, this is a negotiation.

They will obviously won't find it enough.

Mr. President, you have to save the lives of our relatives.

They are in quite a dangerous situation.

I know that, Mrs. Nidia.

I think it is reasonable to treat that organization as a political faction,

because the country should find a solution to the difficult situation it is in.

When the Extraditable demanded that the government

give them political status and thus have their crimes condoned,

President Gaviria restated that this was not possible

and had the full support of former president Julio César Turbay Ayala,

father of Diana Turbay, the journalist kidnapped by the Extraditable.

Mr. Turbay restated that constitutional principles are untouchable.

President Gaviria also insisted on inviting the cartels' members

to accept the decree that was issued.

The government says it's impossible

to give you the commutation you are asking for, Don Pablo,

that the surrender decree is more than enough.

That's not true, Patarroyo.

The decree doesn't guarantee non extradition of any Colombian to the USA.

The decree is very clear, Don Pablo,

and it states that if you confess a crime you won't be sent to the United States.

Patarroyo, how can I make you, the government

and the Notables understand the type of problem you have with us, man?

Seven famous, innocent persons are in the hands of The Extraditable.

I know that, Don Pablo.

I'm only giving you a message from the Government.

They even say it is impossible to negotiate with you

if you don't release the hostages retained for more than two months.

Oh yeah? And let the government cheat me again?

Forget it, that's not going to happen.

What about that? Tell them to be serious, that this isn't a game.

It is a business, a negotiation.

It's not a matter of who the smart one is and who the dumb one is.

- Is the Centenary Avenue free? - Free as the wind.

Good.

Tell the government that the Extraditable ask to be treated as a political faction,

and demand the Supreme Court of Justice stop the National Government's power

to extradite Colombians to the United States of America.

Don Pablo, please,

you have to be more aware of what you are actually asking for.

But I'm not the one who is asking it, Patarroyo.

I repeat that is a request by the Extraditable,

and I'm simply their messenger.

They also inform the Government that, if it fails to comply,

they will start executing one hostage every week. That simple.

You know what? Stop here, Marino.

We aren't going to keep fucking around with this. Good evening.

What do you mean, Don Pablo? Are you going to drop me off here?

Good evening.

Good evening.

What a bore, man! How is the Bogotá job going?

We are working on that, boss.

Keep going then, son.

BOGOTÁ NOVEMBER 7TH 1990

I'm exhausted. I thought this day would never end.

I would love to get to my house and soak my feet in hot water.

What's wrong?

I don't know. I have a strange feeling, as if something wrong is going to happen.

Nothing is going to happen. Let's go. Thank you.

How do you feel at your new job?

Very good, Mrs. Maruja. Thank you very much for the opportunity.

Do you feel comfortable wearing the uniform?

I don't have any problems.

Yes, madam. I like to look elegant.

All right, as you wish.

Mr. President, if you have time,

I would like us to review the surrender decree

to see if it needs any changes.

The decree is clear and generous enough for those interested, Ismael.

I don't think it needs any change.

What worries me is that the Motoa brothers said they are willing to surrender,

if a new decree is issued.

All they are asking for is to be shielded against extradition.

I won't make any concessions.

He who wants to give in can do so, and he who doesn't will be persecuted.

Relax, Son.

I think it is very good that we talk about it.

We understand your point of view,

but what matters is that you also understand ours.

Does that mean you are going to give in, Don Pedro?

Yes, we are going to give in, so what?

Because you are going to kill us? That's what Pablo said.

That you wanted to do that simply because we are going to serve a prison sentence.

Calm down, Julio, will you?

The thing is not that easy, Julio. We are talking about giving in to justice

and getting benefits for denouncing your partners,

and that's what really worries us.

But nobody is going to be denounced, gentlemen.

Listen, that's why we asked you to come, to discuss the subject.

Look, all we, the Motoa brothers, want

is to solve our problems with the Colombian justice system,

without affecting other people's interests. That's it.

Exactly, Pedro.

But we also want to know how we are going to be killed.

Calm down, Julio, please!

No, no, no. Calm down, Pedro! Let this jerk talk!

Let him tell us how he's going to attack us.

Do you think that because you are getting money for trafficking

without being pursued you are entitled to finish us,

who invented this fucking business, or what?

Easy, easy.

If there is something my buddy and I have too much of, it's humility.

We have always been at the front line,

we have always supported your decisions with money,

and we have been on your side, or have you forgotten?

Besides, it's not a question of having more power.

What's wrong with you? This is merely a matter of survival.

Listen, I say it once more.

I swear by my dad that we are not intending to denounce anybody.

And we believe you, Don Pedro, we really do.

What's more, you can be sure we won't do anything against you.

Very good, thank you very much.

Thank you, sir.

But I want you to understand that, if one of us fails to meet the agreement,

the family of that party will have to pay for it.

- Is it clear? - Yes, it is clear.

- All right, sir. - Don't worry, that won't be necessary.

- Yes, sir. - Cheers, then.

Why don't you come to my house on Saturday for lunch?

I haven't seen Alberto for a long time.

I haven't either.

You know your brother. But, I'll tell you.

Okay.

Maruja, please don't light that cigarette inside the car.

Okay.

Oh no! We are going to be attacked! They are going to attack us!

They are going to kill us!

Please, no!

Move, dear, don't make me be tough.

No, no!

No, no!

Okay, Lucho. Up to the vantage point as we agreed.

Don't move, Mrs. Maruja, or you will die.

- A call for you, sir. - Thank you.

Yes?

What?

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.