The Origins of Los Pepes: Unraveling the Narcos Paramilitary Group
Discover the enigmatic Los Pepes: the paramilitary group formed by Pablo Escobar's foes Led by his former associates, they eliminated anyone connected to Escobar, forcing him into hiding Uncover the alleged ties between Los Pepes, the CIA, and Javier Peña, and explore their fate after Escobar's demise
Summary
Los Pepes, a paramilitary group, was formed by Pablo Escobar's enemies with the goal of killing him and anyone associated with him.
Led by Fidel Castaño and Diego Fernando Murillo, former associates of Escobar, Los Pepes employed ruthless methods such as publicizing and hanging the deaths of Escobar's allies.
In their joint mission to dismantle Escobar's empire, the CIA and the Colombian government formed connections with Los Pepes, sharing vital information and turning a blind eye to the group's brutal tactics.
Throughout season 2 of Netflix's "Narcos," multiple organizations are dedicated to dismantling the infamous drug lord and narcoterrorist, Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura), with one such group being Los Pepes. Drawing from actual events, the first two seasons of "Narcos" chronicle Escobar's true story, showcasing how his ascent to power and fortune led him to become one of Colombia's most formidable and feared drug kingpins. This crime drama also revolves around two DEA agents, Steve Murphy (Boyd Holbrook) and Javier Peña (Pedro Pascal), who are assigned the task of bringing down Escobar and putting an end to his reign of terror in the nation.
What truly sets "Narcos" apart as one of the premier drug lord series is its faithful portrayal of historical events. Although some artistic liberties were taken in depicting Pablo Escobar's rise and fall, the show's incorporation of many real-life moments heightens the immersion and suspense, making this series truly unique. Many of the groups that targeted Escobar were indeed real, including Los Pepes. While "Narcos" delves into the background of Los Pepes, their actual history adds an even more captivating element.
Los Pepes Was Formed By Pablo Escobar's Enemies
Los Pepes Was Led By Escobar's Former Associates
It's not surprising that the establishment of Los Pepes had the objective of assassinating Pablo Escobar, as the paramilitary organization primarily comprised his adversaries. In fact, the name Los Pepes is an acronym derived from the phrase "Perseguidos por Pablo Escobar," which translates to "People Persecuted by Pablo Escobar" (via ATI). Escobar managed to attain power and instill immense fear in Colombian citizens as he had no qualms about resorting to violence and intimidation to achieve his goals when bribery was not an option. Consequently, numerous individuals, ranging from drug traffickers to politicians, were killed, leading to Escobar accumulating a significant number of enemies.
Fidel Castaño, a former employee of Pablo Escobar, became one of the founders of Los Pepes. He formed his own drug cartel and had a personal vendetta against Escobar. Castaño's criminal activities and drug empire were being jeopardized by Escobar, and he also sought revenge for the killings of his close associates, Fernando Galeano and Gerardo Moncada, by Escobar. Alongside Diego Fernando Murillo (aka Don Berna), another former employee of Escobar, Castaño established Los Pepes. Both Castaño and Murillo assumed leadership positions within the group and even received financial support from the Cali Cartel.
Los Pepes Killed Anyone Associated With Escobar
While Los Pepes' main objective revolved around toppling Pablo Escobar, they also ruthlessly executed anyone with even the slightest connection to the Colombian drug lord. This strategy resembled the methods Escobar himself employed against his adversaries (via Decider). One noteworthy approach adopted by both Los Pepes in reality and in the show Narcos was the public hanging of Escobar's associates, accompanied by signs placed on their lifeless bodies stating, "For working for the drug terrorist and baby-killer, Pablo Escobar. For Colombia. Los Pepes." This chilling spectacle conveyed a clear message to the Medellín Cartel, as it signified that every individual involved was equally a target as Escobar. Consequently, this tactic swiftly proved to be highly effective.
Did the CIA and Javier Peña Have Ties with Los Pepes?
The CIA's assistance to Los Pepes in their pursuit of Pablo Escobar is an undeniable plot point in Narcos. A declassified report from February 17, 2008, reveals that a CIA agent maintained close ties with Fidel Castaño, sharing vital information used in tracking Escobar (via National Security Archive). However, Javier Peña's purported involvement with Los Pepes remains uncertain. While Narcos portrays Peña as heavily engaged in the paramilitary group's operations, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim about the actual Peña (via Decider).
The Colombian Government Overlooked Los Pepes' Actions
Additionally,
Los Pepes Drove Escobar Into Hiding And Then Later Took Credit For His Death
the Colombian government also had a close alliance with Los Pepes due to their shared commitment in putting an end to Pablo Escobar's reign of terror. Similar to the paramilitary group's connection with the CIA, the Colombian government frequently exchanged information with Los Pepes. Moreover, the Colombian government depended on Los Pepes to function as a quasi-law enforcement agency to suppress and punish Escobar's associates, often turning a blind eye to their extreme methods. In light of their shared objective, officials were willing to turn a blind eye to Los Pepes' activities if it meant bringing Escobar to justice.
After Los Pepes managed to force Escobar into hiding, the Colombian government discovered his whereabouts in 1993 by intercepting a phone call between him and his son (via ATI). Armed with this information, the Colombian police were swiftly deployed to his location. When Escobar attempted to escape, he was fatally shot by the police. Los Pepes took credit for not only orchestrating the events that led to Escobar's downfall, but also his demise. However, the veracity of these claims remains a topic of debate. Nevertheless, Colombia was finally relieved from Escobar's tyrannical rule.
What Happened To Los Pepes After Pablo Escobar Died?
After the death of Pablo Escobar, Los Pepes disbanded as their mission to kill the Colombian drug lord had been accomplished, rendering their existence unnecessary. Subsequently, leaders such as Fidel, Carlos, and Vicente Castaño established and led a military organization called the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), with several former members of Los Pepes joining their ranks. Functioning as a military death squad, the AUC aimed to eradicate communist rebels, specifically targeting groups like the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) (via The Guardian).
However, over time, the AUC transformed into not only the largest paramilitary group in Colombia but also one of the world's largest drug cartels. In summary, while Narcos effectively portrays Los Pepes and their role in Pablo Escobar's downfall at a specific moment in history, the actual account of Los Pepes is significantly more captivating. It unveils the untold details about the paramilitary group and sheds light on what transpired with its members after Escobar's demise.
