The Netflix series Narcos dramatised the rise and fall of notorious Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. But more than a year ago, Roberto De Jesus Escobar Gaviria, former ‘chief of the hitmen’ for the Medellin Cartel and Pablo's brother, had issued a letter to the streaming giant demanding $1 billion for the unauthorised use of content. “If we don’t receive it,” he threatened, “we will close their little show.”
Just last week, a seasoned location scout for the hit show was found shot dead in Mexico. He was working solo in a location notorious for having a high murder rate.
Netflix issued the following statement on his killing: “We are aware of the passing of Carlos Munoz Portal, a well-respected scout, and send our condolences to his family. The facts surrounding his death are still unknown as authorities continue to investigate.”
Pablo was killed off at the end of the show’s second season, and when Roberto was asked about the show’s depiction of his brother, he said, “I don’t discuss my brother’s death. Some people say he is dead. That is all I know. To me he is still alive and my brother.”
Roberto, who was arrested in 1993, was released 10 years later. He was the head accountant for the cartel during the heyday in the ‘80s. In 2014, he founded Escobar Inc and registered "successor-in-interest rights" for his brother in California. On July 1, 2016, he sent a letter to Netflix demanding $1 billion for unauthorised usage of content.
In an interview to the Hollywood Reporter, he suggested Netflix hire professional hitmen to provide security for their crew in Colombia.
“I don’t want Netflix or any other film production company to film any movies in Medellin or Colombia that relates to me or my brother Pablo without authorisation from Escobar Inc. It is very dangerous. Especially without our blessing. This is my country,” he said.
Narcos season four moves from Colombia to Mexico, and it centres on the fearsome Juarez Cartel. It remains to be seen if the production will move forward with Mexico locations for season four. Over the past decade, drug-related violence in Mexico has forced some film and TV productions to relocate or cancel their shoots.
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