In addition to the inevitabilities of death and taxes, another certainty that has persisted throughout human history is crime. From the moment people started walking on two legs and using language to communicate, shades of deceit and illegality have colored our social fabric. The enduring appeal of crime genres on television, exemplified by the widespread success of shows like Narcos, underscores society’s fascination with the darker aspects of human behavior. The recent buzz surrounding the new drug crime series, Griselda, naturally prompts the question: is there a connection between these two gripping narratives?
Narcos, a series that spanned three seasons, delved into the intricate tale of the Colombian drug trade and the relentless efforts of authorities to dismantle it. The initial two seasons focused on the infamous Pablo Escobar saga, contributing not only to gripping storytelling but also to the proliferation of internet memes. The subsequent Narcos: Mexico transported viewers into the gritty drug underworld of the 1980s, connecting to the broader Narcos universe by reintroducing characters from previous seasons. The franchise expanded even further with the release of the mobile game Narcos: Cartel Wars Unlimited, allowing Netflix subscribers to step into the shoes of a cartel leader, reminiscent of the infamous Escobar.
Enter Griselda, portrayed by Sofia Vergara with the aid of prosthetics. Is this new series a sequel, a prequel, or perhaps a distant cousin to the Narcos narrative? Surprisingly, the most accurate descriptor is the latter. Before delving into the intricate details, let’s explore the intriguing world that Griselda Blanco inhabited.
Griselda Blanco, also known by various nicknames such as “La Jefa,” “The Black Widow,” “Cocaine Godmother,” and “La Madrina,” was a figure whose reputation mirrored her sharp aliases. Born into indelible poverty in 1943 in Cartagena, Colombia, and raised by an alcoholic mother, Griselda seemed destined for a life of crime, much like how Michael Jordan seemed destined for basketball.
Her criminal journey commenced at the age of 11, when she allegedly kidnapped a wealthy boy, leading to a tragic outcome when the ransom was not met. Griselda’s trajectory into the dark side accelerated when, at 12, she began engaging in sex work under the guidance of a pimp named Carlos Trujillo. By the age of 21, she was married to Trujillo, and their union resulted in three children, all of whom met tragic fates due to their association with the drug trade.
Griselda’s criminal acumen became evident as she transitioned from one marriage to another, teaming up with Alberto Bravo to smuggle cocaine into the United States. The duo amassed wealth through a unique scheme involving the manufacture of lingerie with hidden pockets for drug concealment. Despite internal conflicts leading to a shootout, Griselda’s survival instinct prevailed, and she continued her illicit operations in Miami, eventually accumulating an estimated $1.5 billion as a drug lord.
Her adversaries often underestimated her intelligence, unaware of the danger she posed. Griselda’s ruthlessness extended to her own army of foot soldiers, who executed brutal killings, including the infamous “assassin on a motorcycle” technique. She maintained a Learjet on standby, ready to flee at a moment’s notice.
During her reign, the morgue in Miami faced an unusual challenge, needing to borrow a refrigerated van from a local Burger King to accommodate the surplus of bodies. In 1983, she ordered the execution of her husband, Dario Sepulveda, after he absconded with her son.
Griselda’s criminal empire came to a halt in 1985 when she was captured and sentenced to 15 years. While in prison, she faced additional charges of murder, providing only a glimpse into the magnitude of her alleged crimes. Released in 2004, she returned to Colombia but was not exempt from the enmity she had generated. In 2012, an assassin on a motorcycle ended her life.
Now, the crucial question arises: Is Griselda Blanco’s narrative linked to Narcos? According to Eric Newman, the writer, showrunner, and creator of Narcos, Griselda is undeniably connected, describing the relationship as being “a bit of a cousin” to the Narcos series. While sharing common elements and vibes with Narcos, Griselda aims to stand as a distinct entity, labeled by Newman as “Sofia’s party.”
The absence of Pablo Escobar in Griselda is notable, yet the series initiates with a quote from him, highlighting the unique fear he held for a woman named Griselda Blanco. The overlap extends to some cast members, such as Alberto Ammann, Alberto Guerra, and Jose Zuniga, who seamlessly transition between the two shows.
Griselda, currently available for streaming on Netflix, encapsulates the enthralling saga of a woman who defied societal expectations and forged an indelible legacy in the annals of crime. As viewers immerse themselves in this riveting narrative, the question of linkage to Narcos only adds another layer of intrigue to the unfolding story.
