How Colombia's former president helped kick-start the Medellin Cartel

by Adriaan Alsema June 29, 2020

Colombia’s former President Alvaro Uribe became a major asset to the Medellin Cartel after the controversial politician was appointed director of the country’s civil aviation agency in 1980.

Before that, the Uribe family was already close to the Ochoa crime family, which helped late drug lord Pablo Escobar form the cartel, the former President told newspaper El Tiempo in 2002.

But it was during 1978 and 1982, the year that Uribe left civil aviation agency Aerocivil, that the drug trade of Escobar and his partners really started making money, according to late Justice Minister Rodrigo Lara, who was murdered by cartel assassins in 1984.

. . .

Colombian press found out in 1983 after a new director was appointed to Aerocivil,that among others, Uribe granted two airplane licenses to Lehder’s sister, five to the brother and three to the cousin of Gonzalo Rodriguez, a.k.a. “El Mexicano”.

According to Escobar’s former hitman, “Popeye” and his former mistress, Virginia Vallejo, Uribe also authorized the airstrip on Escobar’s legendary estate Haciendo Napoles.

More:
https://colombiareports.com/how-colombias-former-president-helped-kick-start-the-medellin-cartel/