# Start End Original Translated
1 00:02:08,360 00:02:11,860 MAN: Shake this square world and blast off for Kicksville. MAN: Shake this square world and blast off for Kicksville.
2 00:02:11,860 00:02:15,600 RICHARD NIXON: Public enemy number one is drug abuse. RICHARD NIXON: Public enemy number one is drug abuse.
3 00:02:15,600 00:02:17,130 NANCY REAGAN: Just say no. NANCY REAGAN: Just say no.
4 00:02:17,130 00:02:19,070 RONALD REAGAN: Halting the drug problem in America RONALD REAGAN: Halting the drug problem in America
5 00:02:19,070 00:02:23,140 is like carrying water in a sieve. is like carrying water in a sieve.
6 00:02:23,140 00:02:27,810 GEORGE H.W. BUSH: Take my word for it, this scourge will stop! GEORGE H.W. BUSH: Take my word for it, this scourge will stop!
7 00:02:27,810 00:02:29,080 KAMALA HARRIS: There's now an understanding KAMALA HARRIS: There's now an understanding
8 00:02:29,080 00:02:33,680 that the war on drugs was an abject failure. that the war on drugs was an abject failure.
9 00:02:33,680 00:02:37,150 MAN: You have to stop and ask yourself, how did we get here? MAN: You have to stop and ask yourself, how did we get here?
10 00:02:37,150 00:02:40,290 DONALD TRUMP: We will build a wall. DONALD TRUMP: We will build a wall.
11 00:02:40,290 00:02:50,200 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
12 00:02:59,780 00:03:15,490 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
13 00:03:39,820 00:03:41,320 (gunfire) (gunfire)
14 00:03:41,320 00:03:43,350 (explosion) (explosion)
15 00:03:43,350 00:03:46,120 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
16 00:03:53,360 00:03:55,860 (explosions) (explosions)
17 00:03:55,870 00:03:56,900 (gunfire) (gunfire)
18 00:03:56,900 00:04:02,300 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
19 00:04:02,300 00:04:04,640 REPORTER: The Armed Revolutionary Forces of Colombia, REPORTER: The Armed Revolutionary Forces of Colombia,
20 00:04:04,640 00:04:05,910 known as the FARC, known as the FARC,
21 00:04:05,910 00:04:08,640 is the most powerful guerrilla group in the country. is the most powerful guerrilla group in the country.
22 00:04:08,640 00:04:10,710 They control the areas where large amounts They control the areas where large amounts
23 00:04:10,710 00:04:13,180 of the world's cocaine is produced. of the world's cocaine is produced.
24 00:04:13,180 00:04:19,120 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
25 00:04:19,120 00:04:21,120 REPORTER: They are known as paramilitaries. REPORTER: They are known as paramilitaries.
26 00:04:21,120 00:04:23,590 They celebrate a legend of heroic defiance They celebrate a legend of heroic defiance
27 00:04:23,590 00:04:25,130 against the kidnappers. against the kidnappers.
28 00:04:25,130 00:04:27,590 The mission is to achieve what the army cannot: The mission is to achieve what the army cannot:
29 00:04:27,600 00:04:29,230 defeat the guerrillas. defeat the guerrillas.
30 00:04:34,600 00:04:36,870 (gunfire) (gunfire)
31 00:04:36,870 00:05:14,780 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
32 00:05:14,780 00:05:20,150 (siren) (siren)
33 00:05:43,340 00:05:49,240 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
34 00:05:57,220 00:06:01,150 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
35 00:06:01,160 00:06:07,190 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
36 00:07:20,170 00:07:23,170 REPORTER: 12 died and more than 200 passersby were injured REPORTER: 12 died and more than 200 passersby were injured
37 00:07:23,170 00:07:25,040 in this recent explosion. in this recent explosion.
38 00:07:25,040 00:07:26,970 Another outrage was to follow, Another outrage was to follow,
39 00:07:26,980 00:07:30,110 this time there was no mistaking the culprit's identity. this time there was no mistaking the culprit's identity.
40 00:07:30,110 00:07:32,850 They'd left their signature at the scene. They'd left their signature at the scene.
41 00:07:32,850 00:07:40,390 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
42 00:07:41,990 00:07:44,390 REPORTER: Pablo Escobar couldn't stay out of the public eye, REPORTER: Pablo Escobar couldn't stay out of the public eye,
43 00:07:44,390 00:07:46,860 and that's what killed him. and that's what killed him.
44 00:07:46,860 00:07:48,330 He died in a hail of bullets He died in a hail of bullets
45 00:07:48,330 00:07:50,830 as he tried to get away across a roof. as he tried to get away across a roof.
46 00:08:18,160 00:08:21,830 CHRIS FEISTL: In December 1993, after Pablo Escobar is killed, CHRIS FEISTL: In December 1993, after Pablo Escobar is killed,
47 00:08:21,830 00:08:24,500 there is a power vacuum. there is a power vacuum.
48 00:08:24,500 00:08:26,370 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
49 00:08:26,370 00:08:30,240 (helicopter) (helicopter)
50 00:08:30,240 00:08:36,840 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
51 00:08:36,850 00:08:43,850 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
52 00:08:43,850 00:08:47,190 (shouts orders) (shouts orders)
53 00:08:47,190 00:08:49,390 JEREMY McDERMOTT: The FARC embraced drugs JEREMY McDERMOTT: The FARC embraced drugs
54 00:08:49,390 00:08:52,530 and used them to fund the revolutionary struggle and used them to fund the revolutionary struggle
55 00:08:52,530 00:08:54,660 and the growth of the FARC, and the growth of the FARC,
56 00:08:54,660 00:08:58,870 and the growth of coca crops in Colombia is a parallel line. and the growth of coca crops in Colombia is a parallel line.
57 00:08:58,870 00:09:02,070 Wherever the coca is, you tend to find the FARC. Wherever the coca is, you tend to find the FARC.
58 00:09:02,070 00:09:07,440 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
59 00:09:20,690 00:09:24,560 (gunfire) (gunfire)
60 00:09:36,110 00:09:52,190 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
61 00:10:25,220 00:10:31,020 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
62 00:10:31,030 00:10:38,030 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
63 00:10:38,030 00:10:46,770 (speaking Spanish) (speaking Spanish)
64 00:10:46,780 00:10:50,910 McDERMOTT: Carlos is the public face, extremely charismatic. McDERMOTT: Carlos is the public face, extremely charismatic.
65 00:11:27,620 00:11:32,450 (siren) (siren)
66 00:11:32,450 00:11:39,830 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
67 00:11:52,770 00:12:04,720 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
68 00:12:04,720 00:12:06,250 McDERMOTT: He wasn't from Medellín. McDERMOTT: He wasn't from Medellín.
69 00:12:06,260 00:12:09,720 He was actually from Tuluá on the Pacific coast. He was actually from Tuluá on the Pacific coast.
70 00:12:09,730 00:12:12,530 It is rumored that he was, for a short time, It is rumored that he was, for a short time,
71 00:12:12,530 00:12:14,190 a left-wing guerrilla. a left-wing guerrilla.
72 00:12:14,200 00:12:20,930 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
73 00:12:20,940 00:12:27,610 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
74 00:12:27,610 00:12:29,810 He is what we call a "lavaperro," He is what we call a "lavaperro,"
75 00:12:29,810 00:12:33,010 which is like the lowest rung in the criminal structure. which is like the lowest rung in the criminal structure.
76 00:12:33,020 00:12:35,880 It literally means a dog washer. It literally means a dog washer.
77 00:12:35,880 00:12:39,420 And he proves his worth very quickly. And he proves his worth very quickly.
78 00:12:39,420 00:12:44,630 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
79 00:12:44,630 00:12:48,900 The guerrillas try and muscle in on the cartel. The guerrillas try and muscle in on the cartel.
80 00:12:48,900 00:12:51,160 Berna says, "Let me take care of this," Berna says, "Let me take care of this,"
81 00:12:51,170 00:12:54,230 and there is a series of bloody shootouts and there is a series of bloody shootouts
82 00:12:54,240 00:12:58,170 in which Berna takes anything up to 11 bullets and loses his leg. in which Berna takes anything up to 11 bullets and loses his leg.
83 00:12:58,170 00:13:01,910 But they win. But they win.
84 00:13:01,910 00:13:04,710 Berna's not the most handsome man. Berna's not the most handsome man.
85 00:13:04,710 00:13:06,980 He was a lot less handsome after he lost his leg He was a lot less handsome after he lost his leg
86 00:13:06,980 00:13:10,920 and took a bullet through the cheek and various other things. and took a bullet through the cheek and various other things.
87 00:13:10,920 00:13:15,190 This does not hamper his criminal career at all. This does not hamper his criminal career at all.
88 00:13:15,190 00:13:26,330 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
89 00:13:26,340 00:13:32,940 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
90 00:13:32,940 00:13:34,410 FRANCISCO SANTOS CALDERÓN: Pablo Escobar not only FRANCISCO SANTOS CALDERÓN: Pablo Escobar not only
91 00:13:34,410 00:13:35,740 was a drug trafficker, was a drug trafficker,
92 00:13:35,740 00:13:38,410 but he was also an entrepreneur of violence. but he was also an entrepreneur of violence.
93 00:13:38,410 00:13:41,420 And he created different groups, gangs. And he created different groups, gangs.
94 00:13:41,420 00:13:44,620 When he dies, there's a vacuum, When he dies, there's a vacuum,
95 00:13:44,620 00:13:48,960 and many of those gangs are left with who controls it. and many of those gangs are left with who controls it.
96 00:13:48,960 00:13:52,890 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
97 00:13:52,900 00:14:06,110 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
98 00:14:06,110 00:14:11,040 McDERMOTT: Don Berna learnt a key lesson from Escobar, McDERMOTT: Don Berna learnt a key lesson from Escobar,
99 00:14:11,050 00:14:15,720 which is never become visible; remain in the shadows. which is never become visible; remain in the shadows.
100 00:14:15,720 00:14:17,850 STEVEN COHEN: He arguably becomes more powerful STEVEN COHEN: He arguably becomes more powerful
101 00:14:17,850 00:14:20,120 than Pablo Escobar ever was. than Pablo Escobar ever was.
102 00:14:29,060 00:14:33,330 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
103 00:14:33,340 00:14:43,380 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
104 00:15:00,760 00:15:08,070 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
105 00:15:25,850 00:15:32,160 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
106 00:15:40,540 00:15:46,940 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
107 00:16:07,700 00:16:11,230 McDERMOTT: And the message is clear: We're coming. McDERMOTT: And the message is clear: We're coming.
108 00:16:11,230 00:16:12,430 (boom) (boom)
109 00:16:12,430 00:16:25,510 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
110 00:16:31,920 00:16:41,390 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
111 00:16:41,400 00:16:46,870 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
112 00:16:46,870 00:16:48,870 (rooster crows) (rooster crows)
113 00:16:59,480 00:17:01,680 REPORTER: People living in Mapiripán were suspected REPORTER: People living in Mapiripán were suspected
114 00:17:01,680 00:17:04,950 of helping the FARC, providing them with food and shelter. of helping the FARC, providing them with food and shelter.
115 00:17:23,510 00:17:24,970 REPORTER: As the paramilitaries entered, REPORTER: As the paramilitaries entered,
116 00:17:24,970 00:17:27,610 they marked the town as their territory. they marked the town as their territory.
117 00:17:36,850 00:17:38,920 REPORTER: Villagers were taken from their homes. REPORTER: Villagers were taken from their homes.
118 00:17:38,920 00:17:41,190 The killing began in the main street. The killing began in the main street.
119 00:18:10,750 00:18:13,220 REPORTER: Three villagers were publicly executed, REPORTER: Three villagers were publicly executed,
120 00:18:13,220 00:18:17,420 beheaded with chainsaws. beheaded with chainsaws.
121 00:18:17,430 00:18:19,360 Many more perished. Many more perished.
122 00:18:19,360 00:18:21,890 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
123 00:18:21,900 00:18:26,970 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
124 00:18:26,970 00:18:30,340 None of the dead wore uniforms or carried guns. None of the dead wore uniforms or carried guns.
125 00:18:37,510 00:18:48,450 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
126 00:18:48,460 00:19:01,530 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
127 00:19:01,540 00:19:08,340 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
128 00:19:22,820 00:19:33,500 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
129 00:19:33,500 00:19:37,570 (gunfire) (gunfire)
130 00:19:48,780 00:19:50,920 SOLDIERS: ¡Uno, dos, tres! SOLDIERS: ¡Uno, dos, tres!
131 00:20:19,410 00:20:25,020 McDERMOTT: The cocaine trade hid in Colombia's civil conflict. McDERMOTT: The cocaine trade hid in Colombia's civil conflict.
132 00:20:25,020 00:20:28,150 And suddenly we have a right-wing And suddenly we have a right-wing
133 00:20:28,160 00:20:30,890 anti-subversive paramilitarism anti-subversive paramilitarism
134 00:20:30,890 00:20:34,030 which is welcomed in so many parts of Colombia which is welcomed in so many parts of Colombia
135 00:20:34,030 00:20:37,100 against the guerrillas who were kidnapping and extorting. against the guerrillas who were kidnapping and extorting.
136 00:20:37,100 00:20:41,230 But this is just the new Medellín Cartel. But this is just the new Medellín Cartel.
137 00:20:41,240 00:20:43,040 But it's cleverer. But it's cleverer.
138 00:20:43,040 00:20:46,840 It's got a political façade, it's militarized. It's got a political façade, it's militarized.
139 00:20:46,840 00:20:52,710 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
140 00:20:52,710 00:20:53,550 (guns cocking) (guns cocking)
141 00:21:05,530 00:21:13,030 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
142 00:21:29,020 00:21:32,050 (gunfire) (gunfire)
143 00:21:39,890 00:21:40,830 (knocking) (knocking)
144 00:22:23,070 00:22:31,680 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
145 00:22:38,220 00:22:43,020 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
146 00:22:43,020 00:22:48,430 (siren) (siren)
147 00:22:48,430 00:23:02,740 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
148 00:23:12,920 00:23:20,360 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
149 00:23:26,200 00:23:27,200 MAN: Stop? MAN: Yeah. MAN: Stop? MAN: Yeah.
150 00:23:27,200 00:23:27,970 MAN: Okay. MAN: Okay.
151 00:23:32,010 00:23:40,850 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
152 00:23:48,760 00:23:49,960 JEREMY SALAMEH: The Oficina de Envigado JEREMY SALAMEH: The Oficina de Envigado
153 00:23:49,960 00:23:53,090 was originally established to mediate, was originally established to mediate,
154 00:23:53,090 00:23:55,190 to collect money that was owed. to collect money that was owed.
155 00:23:55,200 00:23:57,630 And it was almost like an internal affairs And it was almost like an internal affairs
156 00:23:57,630 00:24:00,030 operation of sorts. operation of sorts.
157 00:24:02,040 00:24:05,840 Don Berna made it clear, "I'm taking this over, Don Berna made it clear, "I'm taking this over,
158 00:24:05,840 00:24:10,040 and if there's any pushback, and if there's any pushback,
159 00:24:10,050 00:24:12,450 you're gonna have to deal with it." you're gonna have to deal with it."
160 00:24:12,450 00:24:15,980 McDERMOTT: And he turns this vehicle into his bid McDERMOTT: And he turns this vehicle into his bid
161 00:24:15,980 00:24:18,450 to take control of Medellín. to take control of Medellín.
162 00:24:18,450 00:24:23,390 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
163 00:24:23,390 00:24:27,260 And he begins to scoop up a lot of the criminal infrastructure And he begins to scoop up a lot of the criminal infrastructure
164 00:24:27,260 00:24:30,730 and set up these debt-collecting agencies, or oficinas, and set up these debt-collecting agencies, or oficinas,
165 00:24:30,730 00:24:33,830 all around Medellín, and they all answer to him. all around Medellín, and they all answer to him.
166 00:24:40,070 00:24:42,670 COHEN: He understands that his rise to power COHEN: He understands that his rise to power
167 00:24:42,680 00:24:47,080 and his own control of power depends on his good standing and his own control of power depends on his good standing
168 00:24:47,080 00:24:49,950 with the security state and with politicians. with the security state and with politicians.
169 00:24:49,950 00:24:54,950 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
170 00:24:54,960 00:24:56,820 SALAMEH: Corruption at all levels SALAMEH: Corruption at all levels
171 00:24:56,820 00:24:58,490 was going through the roof. was going through the roof.
172 00:24:58,490 00:25:00,160 He would do things that would help the authorities, He would do things that would help the authorities,
173 00:25:00,160 00:25:03,560 and sometimes the authorities would do things to help him. and sometimes the authorities would do things to help him.
174 00:25:03,570 00:25:06,300 They did operations together sometimes. They did operations together sometimes.
175 00:25:06,300 00:25:18,110 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
176 00:25:41,140 00:25:47,870 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
177 00:26:25,910 00:26:32,380 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
178 00:26:32,390 00:26:36,990 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
179 00:27:37,520 00:27:41,790 (popping and crackling) (popping and crackling)
180 00:27:41,790 00:27:44,060 (crowd oohs) (crowd oohs)
181 00:27:44,060 00:27:56,600 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
182 00:27:56,600 00:27:59,540 SALAMEH: So nothing really occurred unless Don Berna SALAMEH: So nothing really occurred unless Don Berna
183 00:27:59,540 00:28:03,140 or his higher infrastructure approved it. or his higher infrastructure approved it.
184 00:28:03,140 00:28:09,850 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
185 00:28:09,850 00:28:12,820 People often refer to homeless people People often refer to homeless people
186 00:28:12,820 00:28:14,950 or these homeless children and so forth, or these homeless children and so forth,
187 00:28:14,960 00:28:19,630 they call them "desechables," like the throw-aways. they call them "desechables," like the throw-aways.
188 00:28:19,630 00:28:23,830 And somebody's considered a desechable, a disposable person, And somebody's considered a desechable, a disposable person,
189 00:28:23,830 00:28:25,960 doesn't mean you can go out and kill them, doesn't mean you can go out and kill them,
190 00:28:25,970 00:28:29,100 but that's what they did, they cleaned up the streets. but that's what they did, they cleaned up the streets.
191 00:28:29,100 00:28:37,780 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
192 00:28:37,780 00:28:42,520 And there was a scourge of those kind of folks, And there was a scourge of those kind of folks,
193 00:28:42,520 00:28:46,520 people disappeared, people got killed, people got displaced. people disappeared, people got killed, people got displaced.
194 00:28:46,520 00:28:48,520 They cleaned up the city, They cleaned up the city,
195 00:28:48,520 00:28:55,260 and I think there was some sense that at certain levels... and I think there was some sense that at certain levels...
196 00:28:55,260 00:28:59,130 In other words, it was accepted because of the outcome. In other words, it was accepted because of the outcome.
197 00:28:59,130 00:29:11,080 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
198 00:29:11,080 00:29:14,810 McDERMOTT: Berna sees what the paramilitaries are doing, McDERMOTT: Berna sees what the paramilitaries are doing,
199 00:29:14,820 00:29:18,880 and he goes, "This is an extraordinary business model, and he goes, "This is an extraordinary business model,
200 00:29:18,890 00:29:20,020 I want in." I want in."
201 00:29:20,020 00:29:20,920 (gun cocks) (gun cocks)
202 00:29:42,510 00:29:47,250 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
203 00:29:47,250 00:29:48,650 McDERMOTT: So, there's lots of problems McDERMOTT: So, there's lots of problems
204 00:29:48,650 00:29:50,380 within the paramilitary army. within the paramilitary army.
205 00:29:50,390 00:29:52,180 If someone loses a load If someone loses a load
206 00:29:52,190 00:29:55,520 or someone sleeps with someone else's wife, or someone sleeps with someone else's wife,
207 00:29:55,520 00:29:58,190 normally in the drug trafficking world, there's violence. normally in the drug trafficking world, there's violence.
208 00:29:58,190 00:30:03,330 Berna says, "No, we can sort this out." Berna says, "No, we can sort this out."
209 00:30:03,330 00:30:05,130 He's not always successful, He's not always successful,
210 00:30:05,130 00:30:07,400 but what he does is he begins to put discipline but what he does is he begins to put discipline
211 00:30:07,400 00:30:10,000 on the paramilitary movement. on the paramilitary movement.
212 00:30:10,000 00:30:24,080 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
213 00:31:00,050 00:31:01,720 (speaking Spanish) (speaking Spanish)
214 00:31:01,720 00:31:03,190 McDERMOTT: Vicente's got a stutter, McDERMOTT: Vicente's got a stutter,
215 00:31:03,190 00:31:08,260 not remotely charismatic, but super able at the business side. not remotely charismatic, but super able at the business side.
216 00:31:08,260 00:31:12,060 And they turn the paramilitary army, And they turn the paramilitary army,
217 00:31:12,070 00:31:15,470 and this need to counteract the advance and this need to counteract the advance
218 00:31:15,470 00:31:17,340 of the Marxist guerrillas, of the Marxist guerrillas,
219 00:31:17,340 00:31:21,210 into a nationwide criminal network, into a nationwide criminal network,
220 00:31:21,210 00:31:25,410 a VIP club for drug traffickers. a VIP club for drug traffickers.
221 00:31:25,410 00:31:27,080 And people begin to realize And people begin to realize
222 00:31:27,080 00:31:31,680 this is just the most powerful drug cartel there is; this is just the most powerful drug cartel there is;
223 00:31:31,690 00:31:34,890 dwarfs the power of the Medellín Cartel. dwarfs the power of the Medellín Cartel.
224 00:31:34,890 00:31:36,760 And at that stage the paramilitaries And at that stage the paramilitaries
225 00:31:36,760 00:31:39,760 are the most powerful criminal syndicate on the planet. are the most powerful criminal syndicate on the planet.
226 00:31:39,760 00:31:41,230 VICENTE CASTAÑO: Muchas gracias. VICENTE CASTAÑO: Muchas gracias.
227 00:31:41,230 00:31:53,240 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
228 00:31:53,240 00:31:55,770 (gunfire) (gunfire)
229 00:31:55,780 00:31:58,110 COHEN: And there really is a fear in Colombian society COHEN: And there really is a fear in Colombian society
230 00:31:58,110 00:32:00,910 and also at high levels of government and also at high levels of government
231 00:32:00,920 00:32:04,980 that the FARC are actually gonna manage to take over the country. that the FARC are actually gonna manage to take over the country.
232 00:32:04,990 00:32:07,420 (gunfire) (gunfire)
233 00:32:07,420 00:32:14,130 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
234 00:32:14,130 00:32:15,560 CALDERÓN: The main road to Medellín CALDERÓN: The main road to Medellín
235 00:32:15,560 00:32:17,060 sometimes was a week closed sometimes was a week closed
236 00:32:17,060 00:32:19,400 because of attacks from the FARC to the road. because of attacks from the FARC to the road.
237 00:32:19,400 00:32:21,730 Bogotá is surrounded by FARC fronts. Bogotá is surrounded by FARC fronts.
238 00:32:21,740 00:32:25,140 They were getting ready to take over the capital. They were getting ready to take over the capital.
239 00:32:25,140 00:32:26,410 (gunfire) (gunfire)
240 00:32:26,410 00:32:29,210 People were abandoning Colombia massively; People were abandoning Colombia massively;
241 00:32:29,210 00:32:31,610 everybody was seeing Colombia as a sinking ship. everybody was seeing Colombia as a sinking ship.
242 00:32:31,610 00:32:34,410 And frankly, when you saw the growth of the FARC, And frankly, when you saw the growth of the FARC,
243 00:32:34,420 00:32:35,750 the growth of the paramilitaries, the growth of the paramilitaries,
244 00:32:35,750 00:32:37,150 it was hard not to think it was hard not to think
245 00:32:37,150 00:32:41,020 that Colombia could become a narco state or a failed state. that Colombia could become a narco state or a failed state.
246 00:32:49,700 00:32:51,500 BILL CLINTON: We got to stand by these democracies, BILL CLINTON: We got to stand by these democracies,
247 00:32:51,500 00:32:55,370 including, and especially tonight, Colombia, including, and especially tonight, Colombia,
248 00:32:55,370 00:32:57,100 which is fighting narco traffickers which is fighting narco traffickers
249 00:32:57,100 00:33:00,710 for its own people's lives and for our children's lives. for its own people's lives and for our children's lives.
250 00:33:00,710 00:33:02,840 I have proposed a strong two-year package I have proposed a strong two-year package
251 00:33:02,840 00:33:05,240 to help Colombia win this fight. to help Colombia win this fight.
252 00:33:05,250 00:33:15,250 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
253 00:33:15,260 00:33:21,460 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
254 00:33:21,460 00:33:24,330 COHEN: Plan Colombia was this major billion-dollar effort COHEN: Plan Colombia was this major billion-dollar effort
255 00:33:24,330 00:33:26,800 to bring the Colombian military up to snuff to bring the Colombian military up to snuff
256 00:33:26,800 00:33:29,940 to be able to take on the narco-traffickers. to be able to take on the narco-traffickers.
257 00:33:29,940 00:33:31,070 (gunfire) (gunfire)
258 00:33:33,610 00:33:38,940 And that meant training, that meant weapons, technology. And that meant training, that meant weapons, technology.
259 00:33:38,950 00:33:40,950 (gunfire) (gunfire)
260 00:33:40,950 00:33:44,020 It's also the point at which counter-narcotics It's also the point at which counter-narcotics
261 00:33:44,020 00:33:49,220 and counter-insurgency become explicitly the same thing. and counter-insurgency become explicitly the same thing.
262 00:33:49,220 00:33:50,360 REPORTER: Officially the United States REPORTER: Officially the United States
263 00:33:50,360 00:33:52,360 is fighting a war on drugs. is fighting a war on drugs.
264 00:33:52,360 00:33:54,360 In practice, it is bankrolling conflict In practice, it is bankrolling conflict
265 00:33:54,360 00:33:56,700 against communist guerrillas. against communist guerrillas.
266 00:34:01,370 00:34:04,840 COHEN: The escalating threat of communist takeover COHEN: The escalating threat of communist takeover
267 00:34:04,840 00:34:08,970 becomes the justification for increasingly overt alliance becomes the justification for increasingly overt alliance
268 00:34:08,980 00:34:12,710 with the narco-paramilitaries as the most effective with the narco-paramilitaries as the most effective
269 00:34:12,710 00:34:15,780 fighting force against the rising communist menace. fighting force against the rising communist menace.
270 00:34:15,780 00:34:17,450 (gunfire) (gunfire)
271 00:34:19,520 00:34:21,320 (gunfire) (gunfire)
272 00:34:21,320 00:34:28,190 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
273 00:34:28,200 00:34:30,000 (explosion) (explosion)
274 00:34:39,870 00:34:48,810 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
275 00:34:48,820 00:34:54,750 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
276 00:34:54,760 00:34:57,860 (speaking Spanish) (speaking Spanish)
277 00:35:21,650 00:35:27,850 (plane approaching) (plane approaching)
278 00:35:27,860 00:35:34,260 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
279 00:35:34,260 00:35:37,730 (gunfire) (gunfire)
280 00:35:37,730 00:35:41,270 REPORTER: America's war on drugs ignores the paramilitaries. REPORTER: America's war on drugs ignores the paramilitaries.
281 00:35:41,270 00:35:43,400 Instead, government helicopters protect planes Instead, government helicopters protect planes
282 00:35:43,400 00:35:46,810 dropping poison in the coca fields below. dropping poison in the coca fields below.
283 00:35:46,810 00:35:48,740 Their aim is to destroy the plantations Their aim is to destroy the plantations
284 00:35:48,740 00:35:50,810 controlled by the FARC. controlled by the FARC.
285 00:35:50,810 00:35:55,610 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
286 00:35:55,620 00:36:01,150 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
287 00:36:01,160 00:36:07,960 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
288 00:36:07,960 00:36:11,960 MAN: We have no relationship with the AUC. MAN: We have no relationship with the AUC.
289 00:36:11,970 00:36:15,570 COHEN: By 2001, the extent of paramilitary involvement COHEN: By 2001, the extent of paramilitary involvement
290 00:36:15,570 00:36:20,040 in the drug trade was too blatant to ignore. in the drug trade was too blatant to ignore.
291 00:36:20,040 00:36:22,440 MAN: They claim to wish to protect Colombian citizens MAN: They claim to wish to protect Colombian citizens
292 00:36:22,440 00:36:23,840 from other terrorist groups, from other terrorist groups,
293 00:36:23,840 00:36:27,510 but they then massacre and displace the same citizens, but they then massacre and displace the same citizens,
294 00:36:27,520 00:36:30,450 and they claim to stand against kidnapping and extortion, and they claim to stand against kidnapping and extortion,
295 00:36:30,450 00:36:33,390 and then engage in those very practices. and then engage in those very practices.
296 00:36:35,590 00:36:38,660 COHEN: So, in this very weird twist of history, COHEN: So, in this very weird twist of history,
297 00:36:38,660 00:36:42,990 the AUC gets designated an official terrorist organization the AUC gets designated an official terrorist organization
298 00:36:43,000 00:36:46,870 the day before September 11th. the day before September 11th.
299 00:36:46,870 00:36:48,730 McDERMOTT: And then everything changes again on 9/11. McDERMOTT: And then everything changes again on 9/11.
300 00:36:48,740 00:36:53,210 The war on terror and the war on drugs have now become one. The war on terror and the war on drugs have now become one.
301 00:38:10,020 00:38:17,020 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
302 00:38:17,020 00:38:19,090 ÁLVARO URIBE: Prudencia, muchachos. ÁLVARO URIBE: Prudencia, muchachos.
303 00:38:19,090 00:38:20,760 Prudencia. Prudencia.
304 00:38:20,760 00:38:26,430 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
305 00:38:26,430 00:38:29,770 FEISTL: President Uribe came up with the Justice and Peace Plan, FEISTL: President Uribe came up with the Justice and Peace Plan,
306 00:38:29,770 00:38:33,970 which would give benefits to paramilitary fighters which would give benefits to paramilitary fighters
307 00:38:33,970 00:38:37,840 who decided to come in, demobilize, disband, who decided to come in, demobilize, disband,
308 00:38:37,850 00:38:40,780 surrender their weapons, and stop drug trafficking surrender their weapons, and stop drug trafficking
309 00:38:40,780 00:38:43,180 and any crimes that they were involved in. and any crimes that they were involved in.
310 00:38:43,180 00:38:48,250 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
311 00:38:48,260 00:38:49,990 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
312 00:39:42,380 00:39:45,740 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
313 00:39:59,660 00:40:07,470 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
314 00:40:11,140 00:40:19,950 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
315 00:40:22,280 00:40:30,390 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
316 00:40:34,030 00:40:35,490 (gunshot) (gunshot)
317 00:40:40,570 00:40:43,030 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
318 00:40:43,040 00:40:47,410 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
319 00:40:59,190 00:41:07,190 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
320 00:41:13,670 00:41:17,900 (siren) (siren)
321 00:41:23,740 00:41:42,430 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
322 00:41:42,430 00:41:44,760 FEISTL: He wants to try to reap the benefits FEISTL: He wants to try to reap the benefits
323 00:41:44,770 00:41:46,560 of the Justice and Peace Law, of the Justice and Peace Law,
324 00:41:46,570 00:41:50,170 which basically says if you're a paramilitary and you surrender, which basically says if you're a paramilitary and you surrender,
325 00:41:50,170 00:41:52,100 you would be eligible for certain benefits you would be eligible for certain benefits
326 00:41:52,110 00:41:54,710 under the Justice and Peace Plan, under the Justice and Peace Plan,
327 00:41:54,710 00:41:58,310 which are very reduced sentences, under house arrest which are very reduced sentences, under house arrest
328 00:41:58,310 00:42:00,780 or some kind of minimal confinement. or some kind of minimal confinement.
329 00:42:13,330 00:42:24,340 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
330 00:42:24,340 00:42:26,340 McDERMOTT: The Americans and the Colombian public are seeing McDERMOTT: The Americans and the Colombian public are seeing
331 00:42:26,340 00:42:29,210 that this peace process is bordering on farce that this peace process is bordering on farce
332 00:42:29,210 00:42:36,010 as these guys continue to move drugs, live the high life. as these guys continue to move drugs, live the high life.
333 00:42:36,020 00:42:38,350 And so once the agreement is signed, And so once the agreement is signed,
334 00:42:38,350 00:42:40,550 the constitutional court changes all the rules, the constitutional court changes all the rules,
335 00:42:40,550 00:42:44,160 and they are suddenly sucked down into the prison system. and they are suddenly sucked down into the prison system.
336 00:42:44,160 00:42:48,430 And then in 2008, what they all feared, they're all extradited. And then in 2008, what they all feared, they're all extradited.
337 00:42:48,430 00:43:11,180 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
338 00:43:11,190 00:43:15,590 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
339 00:43:15,590 00:43:17,790 CALDERÓN: How do you measure the success of Plan Colombia? CALDERÓN: How do you measure the success of Plan Colombia?
340 00:43:17,790 00:43:19,060 It's Colombia itself. It's Colombia itself.
341 00:43:19,060 00:43:20,290 From a failed state From a failed state
342 00:43:20,290 00:43:23,390 to the darling of investment of what it is now. to the darling of investment of what it is now.
343 00:43:23,400 00:43:26,330 Colombia is a beacon of stability. Colombia is a beacon of stability.
344 00:43:26,330 00:43:28,330 COHEN: Today people will tell you that Plan Colombia's COHEN: Today people will tell you that Plan Colombia's
345 00:43:28,330 00:43:31,800 a success despite the human rights abuses a success despite the human rights abuses
346 00:43:31,810 00:43:33,470 let loose on the Colombian countryside. let loose on the Colombian countryside.
347 00:43:33,470 00:43:35,610 WOMAN: Vamos, vamos. WOMAN: Vamos, vamos.
348 00:43:35,610 00:43:38,480 COHEN: If the war on drugs is in fact an effort to stop drugs COHEN: If the war on drugs is in fact an effort to stop drugs
349 00:43:38,480 00:43:39,880 from entering the United States, from entering the United States,
350 00:43:39,880 00:43:42,410 it is clearly an abysmal failure. it is clearly an abysmal failure.
351 00:43:42,420 00:43:49,620 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
352 00:43:49,620 00:43:53,020 In that sense, we've poured billions of dollars into a hole In that sense, we've poured billions of dollars into a hole
353 00:43:53,030 00:43:54,630 and lit it on fire. and lit it on fire.
354 00:43:54,630 00:44:00,870 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪