THE RE-ARREST OF POPEYE
WARNING: SPOILER ALERTS IN THIS SECTION (For listeners of the podcast)
On the morning of Friday May 25, 2018, Jhon Jairo Velasquez Vasquez alias “Popeye” and his attorney, Jorge Andres Villegas, went to the headquarters of the Directorate of Prosecutors against Organized Crime, (a division of the attorney general’s office). They specifically went to find out if charges were going to be filed against him after some controversial tweets he had made online, concerning the upcoming presidential election. They discovered that indeed, a warrant had been issued for his arrest, however, not for what he had anticipated. Within minutes of making his inquiry, Popeye was arrested and booked on charges of aggravated extortion and aggravated conspiracy. It was reveled that he had been the subject of an on-going criminal investigation conducted over the past several months. During the investigation, authorities claimed Popeye was extorting $55,000 from a family over alleged drug trafficking debts. Popeye entered a plea of “not guilty”. After being handcuffed, he was led through the building, while police officials photographed and videotaped. (A common practice in Colombia done by authorities, after catching wanted criminals)
At 11:50 AM, Medellin’s mayor, Federico Gutierrez posted the following message on twitter, “! Captured- Alias Popeye. In minutes more information. . .Congratulations @FiscaliaCol Prosecutors Office of Organized crime, @PoliciaColombia, @PoliciaMedellin crime”
Later that same day, a press conference was held. Colombia’s Chief Prosector for Organized Crime, Claudia Carrasquilla told reporters “We said we were going to capture him, because we knew he was still linked to organized crime, and today we have served society”. Mayor Federico Gutierrez remarked, “The "The message is clear and forceful, there is no future for those who choose the Mafia as a way, it is not worth it, it is a matter of pragmatism and it is what we want all those who are involved in crime to understand, all the symbols of the illegality are falling, without exception, it is only a matter of time, but illegality never triumphs”. Popeye spent the night in a holding cell.
The following day, Saturday May 26, 2018 , the prosecutor announced more charges would be filed against Popeye, for threatening tweets made to the presidential candidate, Gustavo Petro. The judge issued what in Colombia is known as a preventive detention measure (or being denied bail). Popeye was ordered to be remanded to Valledupar Prison. Shortly after 12pm, under heavy security, Popeye was placed into an armored van, one of several identical vehicles. The vehicle motorcade departed for Olaya Herrerra International Airport. A police airplane was standing by on the tarmac. Its destination was the department of Cesar. Upon arriving at the airport, Popeye was brought onto the plane, which after just a few minutes, quickly departed. Despite his release from jail, only a few years earlier, Popeye was now back on inside of the Colombian prison.
FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018
The capture and re-arrest of Jhon Jairo Velasquez Vasquez Alias “Popeye” (photos: Policia National De Colombia)
Popeye confers with his lawyer before being taken into custody.
May 25, 2018. Popeye waits to see if charges will be filed against him.
Popeye now in handcuffs, is escorted by officers from the prosecutor’s office.
May 25, 2018. Standing between two officers while his arrest is photographed for a press release.
May 25, 2018
May 25, 2018. Transfer to holding cell.
May 25, 2018 A tweet from Medellin’s Mayor, Federico Gutierrez announcing the arrest of Popeye.
May 26, 2018- TRANSFER TO VALLEDUPAR PRISON (photos: Policia National De Colombia)
May 26, 2018.. Popeye is escorted under heavy security to the airport.
May 26, 2018 Standing on the tarmac of Olaya Herrara Airport in Medellin about to board his flight to Valledupar.
May 26, 2018 Popeye’s last moment in Medellin.
Being brought onto the airplane.
June 23, 2018 POPEYE’’S LETTER FROM VALLEDUPAR PRISON
On June 23, 2018 a letter from Popeye was posted on his twitter account. (Translation on the right)
THE LEAD UP TO POPEYE’S ARREST
December 2017- Prosecutor’s Request to Send Popeye Back to Prison
December 9, 2017. The official request from the Prosecutors Office Against Organized Crime to revoke Popeye’s freedom. This was filed shortly after he was found attending the birthday party for Alias “Tom” , the alleged head of “La Oficina De Envigado”.
Translation of the request by Prosecutors to revoke Popeye’s freedom.
WEEK OF MAY 20, 2018 POPEYE’S TWEET STORM
May 20, 2018. One of Popeye’s original tweets from that day, inciting violence against Colombian Presidential candidate Gustavo Petro. On the right, Petro’s response calling on the Attorney General’s office of Colombia to act upon Popeye’s incendiary claims. (source: Twitter)
May 20, 2018. “My rifle will speak for me”. Not long after Popeye posted the above tweet, ( threatening Presidential candidate Gustavo Petro and his supporters), the tweet was taken down and disappeared from Popeye’s twitter feed. However, many screenshots of it were taken and reposted.. The public reaction was immediate. (Note: When Popeye refers to “The family of No” , he is referring to those people who voted “no “ in the peace process, those that were against a deal with the FARC guerrillas) Many people complained that Popeye was threatening the life of a presidential candidate, making reference to the 1989 Medellin Cartel directed, assassination of then presidential candidate Luis Carlos Galán. The following day, Gustavo Petro posted a picture of Popeye’s tweet and suggested that “hate is in his heart” (source:Twitter)
May 23, 2018 Popeye’s letter requesting a hearing to determine if official charges would be filed against him.