La expresentadora de televisión Virginia Vallejo, antigua amante de Pablo Escobar, confirmó que el capo le pagó al M-19 para que se tomara el Palacio de Justicia: “Yo quedé aterrada”

Virginia Vallejo, once a prominent television presenter and the former mistress of infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, has taken center stage again with her recent revelations. In an interview with Semana magazine, Vallejo confirmed shocking details regarding Escobar’s dealings with the M-19 guerrilla group, specifically the notorious siege of the Palacio de Justicia in 1985. Her testimony sheds light on a dark period in Colombia’s history, connecting the dots between violence, politics, and drug trafficking.

As a survivor of the intense violence intertwined with Colombia’s drug wars, Vallejo’s experiences have been life-altering. Following an assassination attempt in Miami that nearly cost her life, she was forced to leave Colombia under the protection of the DEA. Now residing in the United States, Vallejo dedicates her life to writing and sharing her story. Her past relationship with Escobar and her first book, “Amando a Pablo, odiando a Escobar,” have since propelled her into a world where she has faced threats from those within the Medellín and Cali cartels.

The Palacio de Justicia siege, a pivotal moment in Colombian history, is wrapped in controversy and tragedy. Vallejo’s recent statements confirm that Escobar paid the M-19 to storm the palace, a plan that involved the destruction of vital judicial documents related to him. She recollects that during a meeting at Escobar’s Hacienda Nápoles, he discussed a payment of two million dollars to the M-19 for the operation. Vallejo vividly recalls Escobar remarking that he would provide a million dollars upfront, intending to burn the incriminating evidence housed within the palace.

Despite warning him of the potential fallout, Vallejo ultimately watched in horror as the events unfolded on television while working at the National Beauty Pageant. Days after Ospina, the M-19 leader, fell in a gunfight, the plan escalated with catastrophic results, leading to numerous deaths, including civilians and military personnel. Vallejo’s harrowing narratives detail the personal effects of the siege, including the threats she faced in the aftermath, complete with gruesome photographs sent to intimidate her.

In her discussion, Vallejo also recounted the circumstances surrounding the murders of significant figures such as Rodrigo Lara Bonilla and Luis Carlos Galán. She reflects on Escobar’s attempts to manipulate media narratives, revealing his desire to discredit Lara Bonilla, who was one of the loudest voices against narcotrafficking. Vallejo firmly believes that Escobar, alongside his associates, orchestrated the assassination of both Lara Bonilla and Galán—a calculated maneuver to eliminate threats to his empire.

Escobar’s control over the narrative extended even to political machinations. Vallejo illustrates how Alberto Santofimio, a political ally, openly discussed eliminating Galán to prevent extradition risks if he were to win the presidency. This level of infiltration and threats displays how deeply rooted drug traffickers were in Colombia’s political fabric.

Virginia Vallejo’s accounts serve as a powerful reminder of how personal experiences intersect with broader political and social issues. The reign of terror enabled by figures like Pablo Escobar affected entire generations and shaped a traumatic legacy within Colombia. Vallejo’s story is not just one of survival, but a pivotal lens through which we can understand the catastrophic consequences of the narcotrafficking era.

Her testimonies not only unveil the corruption and violence of the past but also invite reflection on the narratives that shape modern perceptions of crime and justice in Colombia. Vallejo’s insights contribute to an understanding of the deep scars left on Colombian society, offering valuable lessons on accountability in times rife with chaos. Each revelation adds layers to the historical narrative of Bogotá and, by extension, the entire country grappling with the shadows of its past.

As Vallejo continues to write and share her story from exile, she embodies a significant chapter in Colombia’s history—a reminder of a time when the line between power, politics, and organized crime was fatally blurred. Her voice seeks to illuminate the darkness, ensuring the legacy of those who suffered is heard and honored, ultimately motivating future generations to seek justice, accountability, and peace for a nation still healing.

In remembering the victims and perpetrators, we acknowledge the complexities of human relationships and the impacts of decisions made in moments of desperation and greed—a narrative still relevant as we navigate the intersections of power, crime, and morality today.

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