Medellin, Colombia

Back in 1998, I traveled to Medellín, Colombia, to adopt my son. We had to stay there for a while to complete all the legal paperwork. However, Medellín wasn't a safe place at that time. A significant drug war was ongoing, even though Pablo Escobar, the infamous drug lord, had been dead for a few years. We felt scared and couldn't move around freely.

In 2014, I returned to Medellín for the first time since then and was surprised by how much safer it felt. Sure, there were still some areas where caution was necessary, but most people were genuinely friendly.

In 2018, marking the 25th anniversary of Escobar's death, I decided to visit Barrio Escobar, a neighborhood where Escobar had built 500 houses for the poor. The visit made me reflect on the complexity of his legacy and the resilience of the community.

It is estimated that Escobar was directly responsible for 8,000 murders. While the majority of Colombians view the violent era under Escobar as a dark chapter in their history, there are still individuals, both young and old, who idolize and romanticize him, denying his criminal actions. Escobar did provide various amenities for the poor.

However, I wonder why so many young people in this neighborhood still revere him, considering they weren't even born when he died. Is it because their parents and grandparents continue to uphold this adoration? These admirers affectionately refer to Escobar as "Pablito," the one who built their homes in Barrio Escobar.

Pablo Escobar was killed in his hometown on December 2nd, 1993.

Today, Barrio Escobar is a popular tourist spot, especially after the success of the well-known series "Narcos".