Overview

Jhon Jairo Velásquez Vásquez (April 15, 1962 – February 6, 2020), widely known by the alias "Popeye," was a Colombian criminal who became prominent as an enforcer for the Medellín Cartel and for his later public confessions and media presence. He surrendered to Colombian authorities in 1992 and spent many years convicted of violent crimes. After his release he attracted attention for interviews, books and online videos that generated controversy over the portrayal of past criminality.

Role and activities

Velásquez has been described as a hitman in the Medellín Cartel, an organization led by Pablo Escobar. He rose within the cartel's armed wing and was widely identified as one of its sicarios, a term often translated as "hitman" or "assassin." In various interviews and writings he admitted to participating in murders and violent operations, and he made public claims about the scope of his actions and orders he said he had carried out on behalf of cartel leadership. Such claims have been treated with caution by observers and by victims' families, who contest or contextualize those statements.

Arrest, conviction and prison

After his 1992 surrender, Velásquez was tried and convicted on multiple counts relating to homicide and other crimes associated with organized crime. He served lengthy prison sentences in Colombia. Over the years he provided testimony about cartel operations and on occasions cooperated with investigators, while remaining a polarizing figure because of his public recounting of violent deeds.

Public life after incarceration

Following periods of imprisonment and conditional freedom, Velásquez developed a high-profile public persona. He wrote, gave numerous interviews, and used online platforms to recount his past. His appearances and publications drew criticism for perceived glorification of violence, while some scholars and journalists used his testimony as a primary-source account to better understand the internal workings of the Medellín Cartel.

Health, death and legacy

In January 2020 it was announced that Velásquez had been diagnosed with terminal esophageal cancer. He died on February 6, 2020, in Bogotá at the age of 57. His life and post-prison notoriety continue to prompt debate in Colombia about criminal memory, victim rights and the ethics of media coverage of former perpetrators.

Further reading and context

  • For contemporary descriptions of his role as a hitman, see journalistic profiles and court records.
  • Reports on the Medellín Cartel and its leadership, including references to Pablo Escobar, provide broader historical context.
  • Announcements relating to his medical condition were reported publicly, for example noting esophageal cancer.
  • Details of his final days and death were covered in Colombian press based in Bogotá.

Velásquez's story illustrates the complex intersection of organized crime, criminal justice, and public memory. While some view his later disclosures as informative testimony, others emphasize the suffering of victims and warn against glamorizing perpetrators.