Below are a collection of de-classified documents from various government and intelligence agencies. The documents reveal information about narco trafficking, cartel members and their activities, as well as progress in the war on drugs. During the research phase of the podcast, several documents served to provide a greater context of certain events, and in some cases were used to research particular stories as told by Popeye. Many declassified documents are readily available to the public, while others can be obtained by making a request under the Freedom of information Act (FOIA).
DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY -COLOMBIAN NARCO TRAFFICKER PROFILES
A declassified 1991 U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency report, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act and published in 2004 , contained profiles of the cartels and their associates. The report is marked with the warning that it was “an info report, not finally evaluated intel” and originally was classified “CONFIDENTIAL NOFORN” (not to be released to foreign nationals) “WNINTEL” (Warning Notice—Intelligence Sources or Methods Involved).
The report states, “THIS REPORT PROVIDES INFORMATION ON THE MORE IMPORTANT COLOMBIAN NARCO-TRAFFICKERS CONTACTED BY THE CARTELS FOR SECURITY, TRANSPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION, COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF NARCOTICS OPERATIONS IN BOTH THE US AND COLOMBIA. THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE ALSO CONTRACTED AS “HIT MEN” FOR ASSASSINATIONS BY THE CARTEL LEADERS” .
Jhon Jairo Velasquez Vasquez, alias “Popeye” is the fist name listed in the report. Pablo Escobar is described as “the maximum chief of the Medellín Cartel who began as an assassin and now is in charge of the biggest multi-national criminal organization in the world.”
CIA DOCUMENTS
This is a de-classified CIA report from March 6, 1987 to various intelligence and law enforcement officials. In particular it deals with impact of the arrest of Medellin Cartel boss Carlos Lehder. According to the report, it alleges that Pablo Escobar was likely responsible for tipping off Colombian authorities on Lehder’s whereabouts.
STATE DEPT. EMBASSY CABLE
De-classified cables from 1991 sent from the American Embassy in Bogota, reveal that a Colombian Senator, Alvaro Uribe met with Pablo Escobar’s wife, hoping to find a way to defuse the crisis.
DE-CLASSIFIED INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS SITUATION REPORT
1991 former confidential classified document outlines the efforts being taken to combat narcotrafficking. Certain parts of the report have been redacted.
FORMER TOP SECRET STATE DEPT CABLE
1991 Declassified state department cable with the subject titled “NARCOPOLS", WHILE IN SOME CASES WEAKENED, STILL A STRONG FORCE IN COLOMBIAN POLITICS”. The cable indicates that 21 of 100 senators, 13 of 161 representatives and five of 27 departmental governors -- 13.5% of the public officials elected-in october 1991 -- are suspected of having ties to drug. trafficking.
DECLASSIFIED CIA REPORT ON NARCO TRAFFICKING
A declassified CIA internal research report titled “South America: The Expansion and Modernization of the Illicit Cocaine Industry”. Written in March of 1986
US STATE DEPARTMENT DECLASSIFIED CABLES
A collection of declassified State Dept. cables and reports on Colombia, violence, the narco situation, and trafficking activities. Many pertain to Pablo Escobar and the Medellin Cartel. from 1985-1993. All released through the FOIA (Freedom Of Information Act) Click on each link to view cables