This story is fictional.
Any similarity to real people is coincidental.
Maruja Pachón was abducted almost six months ago.
The Constituent Assembly makes a new plea for her release,
as well as that of Francisco Santos, another kidnapped journalist.
President Gaviria can do nothing more.
Escobar has the last word.
The families try to keep their morale high for their loved ones.
Hi, Mom. How are you?
So, I know I'm not supposed to do this.
But since I'm your son, I also like breaking the rules.
So I'm going to open this gift for you.
Happy Mother's Day.
I have another surprise downstairs...
This was the other surprise I had for you.
-Happy Mother's Day! -We love you, Mom!
Mother's Day is tomorrow.
You've been kidnapped for six months now,
so all of your kids are here today with a message of comfort and hope.
Mom, we're here waiting for you.
Hey, what are you doing?
Monje, go back to that channel, please.
Respect. This is the word of God.
...stamped on the hearts of men by natural law,
and in the Ten Commandments delivered by God.
Thou shalt not kill.
Stop it, ***.
If you touch that again, I'll make your head spin.
...every day in Colombia, in our beloved country,
dozens of men fall, killed by hooded motorcyclists.
There goes that wimp again.
Keep still, *!
-Quiet, he's a saint. -I know.
I've seen this old man's miracles.
I guess it's easy to criticize without knowing what you've been through.
Listen to him. Listen to the priest.
But also, no more injustice.
No more gross slandering,
which leads to bloody acts.
Get it?
We all have to do...
Yes.
...our best to stop the spilling of blood, which is flooding Colombia,
and making it the most violent country in the world.
In your hands, we place...
This day that is already passed and the night that is coming. Amen.
Well, honey, if you were an ordinary woman,
I'd tell you ordinary things, what you already know.
That we miss you lots, that we never get used to your absence,
that every day we think about you. Non-stop.
But it turns out you're not ordinary. You are unique.
You're a special woman.
You have this vital energy
that makes us want to live for you.
And this is why, right now,
my only goal in life...
is to see you free again.
And I won't rest until I do that, do you hear me?
No matter what I have to do.
No matter what I have to do, just like you did.
Something great and formidable.
Cheers!
NEWS OF A KIDNAPPING
Elías?
Have you seen Elías?
No.
And so, Damaris.
I wanted to give you this Divine Child bracelet.
Grandma gave it to me before she died.
So you're an expert at giving gifts.
No, I never give anyone anything.
-Thanks, Monje. -Wilmer. Call me Wilmer.
Thank you, Wilmer.
-Your breakfast is served, Negro. -All right.
Good morning, Mrs. Maruja.
Damaris, close the door when you leave, okay?
Happy Mother's Day, Damaris.
Come here. Come, sit down.
Come on, there you go.
We're all feeling like this. It'll pass.
I keep praying and asking God for this to end.
Yes.
God is the only one who'll get us out.
Aren't you an atheist?
Does it matter?
In Colombia, we believe in the same God as Escobar, the police and the government.
Perhaps we need that God to show us the way,
before all of this blows up in our faces, Damaris.
Take it.
Let's help each other.
Here's my husband's number. Give him this message.
No. What are you thinking?
We're in this together.
Ever been to the sea?
-Sure. Why? -What was your dad's name?
Álvaro.
Never been to the sea. I don't know who my dad was.
We'll never be in this together because you're rich and I'm poor.
Look at the state you're in, yet look down on me.
No, ma'am.
We have nothing in common, it's true.
But we can't die. We'd be leaving our kids alone.
But I now know that this country is more like you.
If you don't accept we're in this together,
neither of us will survive.
Let's help each other.
-Shit! -Relax, I didn't want to scare you.
Damaris!
-Damaris, are you okay? -Shut up, you!
Everything's fine.
You scared me.
What is it?
-Was the hag bothering you? -No.
Then what, was it that runt?
Tell me.
Mind your own business, okay?
-Hello? -Is this Alberto Villamizar?
Yes, speaking.
Listen carefully, and open your heart.
Mrs. Maruja...
She needs you to place in God's hands the day that has already passed,
and the night that is coming.
Everyone respects Father García Herreros.
...show you today.
Thank you very much.
-Come in, please. -Thanks.
-Thank you, Constanza. -Excuse me.
Well, then,
how can I help you?
In so much, Father.
We're here precisely to see if you could lend us a hand.
We're convinced that in this country that is so divided,
one of the few things that speaks to such different people...
is their faith.
We know Escobar respects you.
And we're sure he'd listen to you.
You're not being serious.
No. I'm very sorry, but no.
Why not?
Because it scares me.
One thing is the guerrilla. Pablo Escobar is another one.
The president is backing me on this.
What's more, it was him who specifically chose you.
I'm sure he'll thank you for your cooperation.
Just like all Colombians who want peace.
God works in mysterious ways, Father.
This program is sponsored by Manuelita's Sugar,
the best in Colombia.
Here I am in Coveñas, on your shore.
I am watching your waves, listening to your rumors.
You are a witness to all of our history.
You have seen everything, oh, sea of Coveñas.
You know everything.
Talk to me, you who keeps secrets.
I would like to speak with Pablo Escobar on the seashore,
here on this beach, just the two of us sitting down.
I was told that he wants to turn himself in.
I was told that he wants to talk to me, oh, sea of Coveñas,
They tell me that he's tired of his life and of his struggles,
that he'd accept talking to me,
that he wants to walk the streets freely,
that he wants to dedicate his money to Colombia's service.
They ask me to accept him,
and have him perform good deeds to repair the damage that he has done.
So here I am.
My God,
in your hands, we place this day that has already passed,
and the night that is coming. Amen.
How did you sleep?
I didn't sleep well, Alberto.
One thing is to summon the devil, and another is to visit him.
Don't worry.
We'll handle it with discretion.
And with the government's support.
Have faith.
Do you think I'm stupid, Alberto?
I know you're doing this behind the president's back.
Don't tell lies. That's not nice.
I apologize.
This is beyond me.
The roads to rescuing my wife are running out.
What else can I do?
I know you don't care much about matters of faith.
And you have every right.
I also know many see me as the celebrity priest who likes money.
But know this.
Everything I do, I do with deep conviction.
It may be hard to believe,
but in every project I have undertaken, I've felt that calling from God.
And in this case?
Did you hear it?
If I say no, you wouldn't listen to me.
If I say yes, you wouldn't believe me.
FABIO OCHOA'S ESTATE, ANTIOQUIA
-General. -What is it?
Villamizar and the priest are at Ochoa's ranch.
How do we proceed?
Perfect, let's track them discreetly with small units.
And when you have the coordinates, notify me directly.
Let's prepare an operation with all our available force.
No consultations?
-The president told us. -Here's a mental exercise.
Let's think about last year's World Cup.
Rincón's goal against Germany.
What did it mean for Colombia?
Now imagine that player had some legal issues,
like murder, for example.
Would people have forgiven him after that goal?
Yes, of course.
This is exactly the same.
-Understood? -I understand.
Excuse me, sir.
I wanted to ask you a question, I wonder if I may.
I like to put poetry into things.
Put poetry into everything in life.
Agreed.
They've arrived.
Well, here's the transportation that Pablo sent.
Cojo, you have a tail.
Let me see what I should do.
What's wrong? Problems?
If we can't get rid of the guys following us, we'll have to abort.
Only God knows how he does things.
Next crossroad, we split.
*** -We can't stop now. We've come this far.
With these people here, we can't go on.
Stop the car, man!
Stop!
Good luck.
Villamizar got out.
When the car passes, cut it off. Go, now!
Let security take care of it. We're going in.
Stop!
Stop the car!
He's gone.
Please, Father.
Father, give the boys a blessing.
An honor to have you here, Father.
Make yourself at home.
Aren't you looking after Mrs. Maruja?
I can't stand her, so I left her with Negro... Come here...
So there'd be no problems.
When this is over, what are you going to do?
I don't know.
-What's Medellín like? -It's great. You'd like it.
Leave her alone.
She doesn't want to.
She has a child, a family. You wouldn't understand.
Elías, enough. Calm down.
She has a nice mole on her *. That I understand.
-You son of a *! -Elías, calm down!
-I'm going to kill you, *! -Stop, Elías!
*, Monje's fighting. They're going to call the cops on us!
I'll kill you!
What's the matter, *?
Want more, dog?
Negro!
Quiet, *! Stop getting in the way!
-Stay still, *. -Don't be stupid.
You fell in love with a wimp.
They've arrived.
Here are a few good reasons to start believing in God, son.
Signed and all.
He wants us to build him his own prison?
Isn't the Ochoa jail good enough?
He doesn't feel safe there. He could get attacked by a car bomb.
He proposes that a new one be built on some land outside Envigado.
It's called La Catedral.
-And the guards have to be from Medellín. -Not from the city itself, but the region.
And no policemen near him.
He's afraid of retaliation.
For putting a price on his head and killing...
Yes, I know.
This is unacceptable.
Yes, I totally agree with you.
It's unacceptable.
Do you know what else is?
What we're living through.
That we have to live under his shadow.
He's behind everything.
Behind my attack, the murder of Galán,
the threats after that, the murder of hundreds of policemen,
behind the cocaine, the murders, these kidnappings, everything.
He's everywhere.
-This isn't just about you. -Of course not.
It's about millions of Colombians.
What you want is for me to save Maruja. I get it.
But giving him a club won't fix people's problems.
-It's to stop the war. -Don't be dumb.
You know the war won't end because he's in jail.
Yes, you always tell me that, but don't do shit about it.
-If Luis Carlos were alive... -If he were alive?
If Luis Carlos were alive?
He'd have already told you to * off!
Did you forget who killed him?
The club leader.
Because he didn't kneel down.
You wish you had the * that he had.
I * wish I had them too.
Too many have died, César.
Too many.
I'll think about it.
-Would you like me to... -Alberto.
I'll think about it.
I have a meeting.
Thank you, Mr. President.
-Bye, Ana. -Bye, Alberto. Take care.
General Mendoza.
I hope you're not here to give him ideas.
The president has his own ideas. Don't underestimate him.
You disrespect him by disobeying him. Putting others' interests first.
What do you mean?
Not only the government wants Pablo dead.
-The Cali Cartel also wants that. -Do not disrespect me, you bastard.
If we weren't here I'd beat you up.
You want to hit me?
Go ahead.
I thought you'd lose with more dignity, Villamizar.
Idiot.
Pablo Escobar is a sinner.
But he's also Colombian.
That is why I've been establishing links between him and the federal government
to act as a mediator in a possible release.
Pablo Escobar's cards are on the table.
Now let us await the motions of goodwill from the Colombian government.
-This will cost you your career, Alberto. -I know, but it's the only way.
Answer it!
-Hello? -What's up, Damaris? Put Monje on.
Monje, it's for you.
I'm coming.
Answer the phone.
-Hello? -Monje, son, we're done.
Clean everything up, so nobody knows we've been there.
-Yes, sir. -And do it quietly.
The neighbors have complained about the noise coming from there.
-See you in a while. -All right.
See you later, then.
Damaris.
What is it, honey?
Keep quiet.
Negro, come out.
What's he upset about now?
-All good? -Yes, sir.
-Elías? -Gone.
-Negro? -Lying back there.
Damaris?
Lying in the bathroom.
-Bring the lady to me. -Yes, sir.
What's happening?
-Get outside! -No, no.
Put them on now!
No!
Damaris!
Don't worry, Mrs. Maruja, I'm here.
Damaris is fine.
Let's go for a ride.
Well, Mrs. Maruja,
I'm very sad to not have been able to spend more time with you.
I'm sure you've noticed...
that I'm surrounded by very obedient men.
But they're also very dumb.
And honestly?
I crave an interesting conversation with someone smart like you.
What a pity.
In a bit, I'm going to leave you with your buddy, Monje.
He wanted to say goodbye to you personally.
This is not your fault, Monje.
Now I get what it's like to be trapped.
Please forgive me.
Sorry, my *.
Get on your knees.
That's it.
Lower!
More! On your knees.
That's it.
Let's hear you giving orders. See how brave you are.
Nobody cares about you.
Do what you have to do. Get it over with.
What the *, man?
You still have so much to learn.
Hello!
Is anyone here?
Ma'am,
I'm Maruja Pachón.
I was kidnapped, I just got released. Can I borrow a phone?
Confirmed, Maruja Pachón was just released.
Alberto Villamizar's wife was just taken out of captivity and brought to Bogotá.
According to reports, she was on a farm with a temperate climate.
Fortunately, she was released and found by a lady.
The first thing she did was to get in touch with her family.
After she was reunited with her husband,
she's on her way home, where her family's waiting.
At last, Maruja Pachón returns home.
It's a happy day for Colombia.
I'm so sorry for everything that happened to Diana.
-Welcome home. -Thank you.
Bravo!
Welcome home!
May I?
Did you read this?
Things between you and Dad are between you two.
I missed you so much.
I really missed you.
I missed you too.
My love.
Dry?
Either way.
It's been a while since I celebrated.
And since I've had a drink.
Anything to tell me?
I have countless things to tell you.
Well then,
go ahead.
Here I am.
Are you in a rush?
No.
You?
I have all the time in the world.
Are you sure?
I'm not sure of anything anymore.
But if it helps...
I just want to feel like I used to.
Long before that awful confinement.
I don't know if I can.
Would you help me?
That depends.
On what?
On what you want to do with this.
What's that?
Those * gave it back.
They sent it by mail.
Those *.
Aren't you going to put it on me?
This is great!
Francisco Santos was also released after eight months.
Just imagine, my God.
Shortly after, Pablo Escobar surrenders.
Father García Herreros and Alberto accompany him to La Catedral jail.
On July 21st, 1992, Escobar escapes from jail.
Escobar is shot dead on December 2nd 1993, on the roof of a house in Medellín,
while escaping from the police.
During César Gaviria's tenure,
the new Colombian constitution was promulgated.
Alberto Villamizar became Colombia's first anti-kidnapping czar.
Two years after her release,
President Gaviria appoints Maruja Pachón as the Minister of Education.
I am grateful for the solidarity from all Colombians,
especially from the media, which, for me, was fundamental.
Gabriel García Márquez returned to Colombia after 33 years,
to contribute to the drafting of the new Colombian constitution.
Colombia has grown despite all of its problems and catastrophes.
Above all, despite all of the bad news.