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The Netflix series ‘Narcos’

When I think of Colombia, I think of Escobar. And after Narcos hit our screens in 2015, I know this to be the same for many others. The show ignited somewhat of an obsession with the drug cartels that made billions producing and exporting cocaine out of the country. With some of the things they got up to, it’s not particularly surprising that it made for good TV. From Escobar’s successful election to the Colombian Congress, to the creation of his own prison that came complete with casino and spa.

Whilst the show has been a hit internationally, it has been subject to mixed reviews in Colombia itself. ‘Narcos’ joins a long list of films to depict the story of Escobar. These films portray the country in terms of drug cartels, civil conflict and corrupt politicians, fuelling a stereotype that Colombia has long been trying to shake off. These films also have a tendency to present Escobar as an icon. He was responsible for killing thousands of innocent people, yet memorabilia is sold to tourists on the streets of Medellin as if he were some sort of hero. The opening lines of the ‘Narcos’ trailer provides the perfect example..

‘During the early 80’s, the best smuggler in the world was Pablo Escobar. He was a living embodiment of the Colombian dream.’ 

– Netflix, Youtube

Not only is it offensive to relate the ‘Colombian dream’ with narco-terrorism, but it also makes it easy to forget the extremity of his crimes and all of those who were effected by them. The tales of Escobar were not created by a screenwriter in Hollywood, for many people they were a horrid reality and this is something that is important to remember.