Escobar’s Hitman (2017)

In the riveting documentary “Escobar’s Hitman,” we delve into the chilling life of John Jairo Velásquez Vásquez, better known as Popeye. This man, with a cold-blooded resume, stands as a living testament to the brutal reign of the infamous Medellin Cartel during the 1980s.

Not every day does one encounter a man directly responsible for the deaths of over 250 people and the torment of thousands more. Popeye, a local celebrity in Medellin, Colombia, roams the streets in broad daylight, basking in the attention he receives. But behind the facade of fame lies a sinister past.

During the heyday of Pablo Escobar’s cartel, Popeye was the go-to hitman—a lethal instrument of terror. Under Escobar’s leadership, the Medellin Cartel reached its zenith, maintaining power through kidnapping, torture, bombings, and other unspeakable acts. Innocent civilians became mere “collateral damage” in the pursuit of dominance.

After 23 years behind bars, Popeye emerges unrepentant, believing he has paid his debt to society. Now a free man, his criminal expertise lands him roles in popular television shows and films. To some, he’s a star; to others, a walking nightmare.

The documentary uncovers the trail of destruction Popeye left in his wake, revealing the perplexing realities of his life today. As crime swept through Colombia, drug kingpin Pablo Escobar reigned supreme, and Popeye’s actions were pivotal in maintaining that supremacy.

In this gripping exploration, we witness the twisted psyche of a professional murderer—an expert in terrorism, kidnapping, and other crimes. Velásquez’s chilling admission? Killing is easy for him. If Escobar had ordered him to murder his own father, he would have done so without hesitation.

“Escobar’s Hitman” offers an unflinching look at the man behind the bloodshed, a dark chapter in history that continues to haunt our collective memory. Through Popeye’s eyes, we glimpse the abyss of violence, power, and survival in the heart of the Medellin Cartel’s reign.