Pablo Escobar tainted Colombian culture with narcotics. This has prompted various hit Hollywood movies and TV series. It is no surprise that big Hollywood stars would be interested in playing narco roles.  Sofia Vergara is added to the list of  actresses who are playing these characters. Earlier this month, it was announced that The Modern Family star will portray one of the biggest female players in drug cartels, Griselda Blanco, who’s known as “La Dama de la Mafia,” and is responsible for painting Miami with blood over the years. The new series, of only six episodes, will be titled Griselda. Her life story is both intriguing and horrific, a perfect recipe for an excellent Hollywood movie.

Why Does Hollywood Glamorize Drug Cartels?

Showing expensive cars, expansive and expensive mansions, heavily-armed bodyguards, and sexy women at the very least, are some of the glitz and glamour we see in “narco novelas.”  Having this on the big screen makes it looks like people who are involved in drug cartels are enjoying the life of a drug dealer. But, the reality is far from the movies.

While leaders of drug cartels are enjoying a comfortable life, it is not the case for people who are selling drugs on the streets. As the “drug dealer lifestyle” continues to be glamorized, (hence the tales about Pablo Escobar escaping with bags of money and how glamorous his life was) people are barely able to put food on their table. This spiral into other crimes being committed in order to make a buck.

One More Colombian Narco Novela

More than two decades after the death of Escobar, Colombians are still being ostracized and labeled as drug dealers.

While the streets of Colombia are still haunted by Escobar, there is a new criminal map that continues to evolve. So, why do we continue to talk about these characters instead of erasing this horrible history? Because the louder the noise, the more intriguing their life becomes to international audiences.  The more intriguing and interesting, the more profitable they become for television…. surprise!

Memoirs, biographies and biopics will be made. The bigger the crimes they committed, the better turnout they will have at the box office.  The act of murder seems justified. Hollywood has a job to do, sell and make money.

Why Latinos Have Issues with Another Narco Series

The constant portrayal of Latinos as drug dealers or as illegal immigrants can result in a stereotype. Latinos are often seen as the ones working in farms who were able to cross the border illegally. These portrayals could hurt the entire community. These stereotypes created by Hollywood could influence the mindset.

Do we want to break the stereotype or do we continue doing the same? Let us know your thoughts!