The Documentary Podcast Colombia’s new cocaine war
Jan 30, 2020
Exploring Colombia's booming cocaine trade, the podcast reveals the dangerous world of narco trafficking, the challenges faced by indigenous communities in resisting criminal groups, and the devastating consequences on innocent individuals. Through interviews and investigations, the narrative delves into the violent realities of the cocaine trade, highlighting the sacrifices made by those caught in the crossfire and the struggles for autonomy and justice amidst a backdrop of escalating violence.
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Smuggler Alejandro's Life And Operations
- Alejandro is a 29-year-old smuggler who runs a team of 18 and moves about six tons of cocaine across the Atlantic each year.
- He describes a smugglers' culture of ostentation, ruthless punishment for loose talk, and several-million-peso party lifestyle details that motivated him into trafficking.
Peace Deal Opened Space For Commercial Cocaine Gangs
- Colombia's 2016 peace deal reduced FARC political control but unintentionally enabled coca production to boom under criminal gangs.
- With FARC dissidents absent or fragmented, profit-driven gangs moved in, professionalised production, and flooded markets in the US and Europe.
NASA Community Roadblocks And Violent Reprisals
- The NASA indigenous community stages unarmed roadblocks to inspect vehicles and prevent traffickers using their routes.
- Their resistance provoked violent reprisals, including the murder of leader Christina Bautista and dozens of other community members.