New Netflix series sheds light on women leading drug cartels in Latin America

The new Netflix series, Griselda, is bringing to light the story of a lesser-known figure in the world of drug trafficking – Griselda Blanco. Blanco, known as the ‘Godmother of Cocaine,’ was a ruthless Colombian drug lord who was at the center of Miami‘s drug wars in the 1970s and 80s. Griselda explores her rise to power and her role in the development of the cocaine trade in Miami.

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Griselda Blanco had a net worth of billions and was involved in manufacturing, importing, and distributing cocaine to the US. The series, created by Eric Newman and directed by Andrés Baiz, stars Sofía Vergara in a departure from her usual comedic roles. Vergara plays Blanco, a powerful and intimidating woman who was both feared and admired in the criminal underworld.

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Blanco’s story is part of a growing awareness of the women who played significant roles in drug cartels in Latin America. While figures like Pablo Escobar, El Chapo, and Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo have gained widespread recognition, women like Griselda Blanco have often been overlooked. However, with documentaries, films, and now series like Griselda, their stories are being brought to light.

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Griselda’s timeline begins with Blanco and her sons fleeing Colombia in 1964, carrying a kilo of cocaine hidden in their suitcases. It follows her rise as a feared Queenpin in Miami and explores the tactics she used, including using women as drug mules to smuggle cocaine undetected into the US. The series provides an insight into Blanco’s psyche and portrays her as a complex character, both ruthless and vulnerable.

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Blanco’s story is not unique. Women like Guadalupe Fernández Valencia and Marllory Chacón have also occupied high-ranking roles within drug cartels and became powerful figures in their own right. However, their stories have remained largely untold. Griselda brings attention to the women who defied stereotypes and operated in a dangerous, male-dominated environment.

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The creators of Griselda, while portraying Blanco as a nuanced character, are careful not to glamorize her actions or the world she operated in. The series aims to highlight the terrible consequences of her choices and the impact of the drug empire on Miami society. Through the story of Griselda Blanco, the series explores the complexities of power and the lengths people will go to provide for their families.