The Two Escobars: Beauty and Contradictions in Colombia
Colombia is a country full of contrasts. It has beautiful Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, the Amazon rainforest, the Andes mountains, and exciting cities such as Bogotá and Medellín. Colombian coffee, salsa music, and friendly people have made the country famous around the world.
However, Colombia has also faced serious problems, including violence, poverty, corruption, and organized crime.
The documentary The Two Escobars tells the story of two very different men: Pablo Escobar and Andrés Escobar (they were not related).
Pablo Escobar was the leader of the Medellín drug cartel. He became one of the richest criminals in history through drug trafficking. His money influenced politics, businesses, and even football clubs.
This situation became known as narco-soccer, because money from the drug trade infiltrated professional football through sponsorship and investments.
In contrast, Andrés Escobar was the captain of Colombia's national football team. He was respected for his honesty, leadership, and sportsmanship. Many Colombians saw him as a symbol of hope and national unity.
In the early 1990s, Colombia experienced high levels of violence. Drug cartels, guerrilla groups, and government forces were involved in conflict across the country.
After Pablo Escobar was killed in 1993, Colombia entered the 1994 FIFA World Cup as one of the favourites. During the tournament, Andrés Escobar accidentally scored an own goal. Colombia was eliminated, and a few days later Andrés was murdered in Medellín.
Many people believed the murder was an act of retaliation.
The documentary shows how crime, politics, and sport became connected in Colombian society. It also explores problems such as inequality and weak public institutions.
Today, Colombia still faces challenges linked to drug trafficking, illegal mining, extortion, money laundering, and organized crime. Many communities have experienced displacement because of violence.
However, Colombians have shown themselves to be highly resilient. Their resilience has helped many communities recover from difficult situations.
Many experts believe that solutions include better education, stronger institutions, anti-corruption policies, more opportunities for young people, and international cooperation.
The story of The Two Escobars leaves us with an important question:
Can a country overcome a difficult past while building a better future and move beyond its criminal legacy?
1. Vocabulary Match
Part A
Match the words with the correct definitions.
| Words | Definitions |
|---|---|
| 1. cartel | a. forced movement from one's home |
| 2. guerrilla | b. abuse of power for personal gain |
| 3. extortion | c. action taken in revenge |
| 4. corruption | d. member of an irregular armed force |
| 5. infiltrated | e. concealing the origin of illegal money |
| 6. retaliation | f. demanding money through threats |
| 7. laundering | g. secretly entered and influenced an organization |
| 8. displacement | h. group that controls illegal drug trafficking |
Part B
Match the words with the correct definitions.
| Words | Definitions |
|---|---|
| 1. resilient | a. illegal trade in drugs |
| 2. resilience | b. state of being joined together |
| 3. legacy | c. established organization |
| 4. trafficking | d. recovery from adversity |
| 5. inequality | e. large criminal family network |
| 6. institution | f. ability to recover from difficulties |
| 7. clan | g. lack of fairness between groups |
| 8. unity | h. something inherited from the past |
2. Synonym Match
Match the words with their synonyms.
| Word | Synonym |
|---|---|
| 1. breathtaking | a. divided |
| 2. notorious | b. widespread |
| 3. fractured | c. dispute |
| 4. resilient | d. lively |
| 5. intertwined | e. infamous |
| 6. plagued | f. connected |
| 7. pervasive | g. troubled |
| 8. vibrant | h. astonishing |
| 9. retaliation | i. tough |
| 10. conflict | j. revenge |
3. Government Meeting: How Should Colombia Reduce Crime?
Depending on your arguments, the class will vote whether Colombia should:
A. Focus on stronger policing and military action
B. Focus on education and social programs
C. Invest equally in both approaches
D. Prioritize economic development and jobs
E. Increase international cooperation
Group A: Stronger Enforcement
You believe crime can only be reduced through stronger law enforcement.
Choose and expand on these points:
- Tougher prison sentences
- Increased police presence
- Anti-cartel operations
- Border security
- Anti-corruption investigations
- Greater government authority
- Faster criminal prosecutions
- Military action against armed groups
Group B: Social Solutions
You believe crime is caused by social and economic problems.
Choose and expand on these points:
- Better education
- More employment opportunities
- Youth programs
- Poverty reduction
- Community investment
- Alternative crops instead of coca
- Improved public services
- Support for vulnerable families
IN CONCLUSION, what should Colombia do?
A. Stronger Enforcement
B. Social Programs
C. Equal Combination
D. Economic Development
E. International Cooperation
4. Top 10 List
Talk about one of these important Colombian cultural or historical topics and explain its impact.
- The Two Escobars
- Gabriel García Márquez
- The Medellín Transformation
- Colombian Coffee Culture
- Barranquilla Carnival
- Shakira's Global Influence
- Colombian Salsa
- The Peace Process
- The Amazon Rainforest
- Colombia at the 1994 World Cup
Include:
- What it is
- Why it is important
- Its impact on Colombia
5. CONVINCE THE GROUP
Scenario 1: Legal Crops Instead of Coca
You believe farmers should receive government support to replace coca production with legal crops.
Problems the others mention:
- Coca is more profitable.
- Farmers need immediate income.
- Criminal groups may retaliate.
- Government support is unreliable.
Your task:
Convince the group that alternative development is the best long-term solution.
Scenario 2: More Tourism
You believe tourism can help reduce poverty and crime.
Problems the others mention:
- Tourism jobs are often temporary.
- Some areas remain unsafe.
- Environmental damage may increase.
- Local people may not benefit equally.
Your task:
Convince the group that tourism creates opportunities and growth.
Scenario 3: Tougher Drug Laws
You support stricter punishment for drug traffickers.
Problems the others mention:
- Prisons are already overcrowded.
- Punishment alone does not solve poverty.
- Corruption limits effectiveness.
Your task:
Persuade the group that stronger enforcement is necessary.
Scenario 4: Legalize Certain Drugs
You believe legalizing some drugs could weaken criminal organizations.
Problems the others mention:
- Drug use could increase.
- Society may become less safe.
- Young people may receive the wrong message.
- Organized crime could simply find other illegal activities.
Your task:
Convince the group that legalization could reduce cartel power.
Scenario 5: Increase International Intervention
You believe foreign governments should become more involved in helping Colombia fight organized crime.
Problems the others mention:
- Colombia should solve its own problems.
- Foreign involvement can create dependence.
- Other countries may have different priorities.
- National sovereignty could be weakened.
Your task:
Convince the group that international cooperation is essential.
Scenario 6: Invest More in Medellín's Model
You believe Colombia should copy Medellín's transformation strategy nationwide.
Problems the others mention:
- Every region is different.
- It would be expensive.
- Results may take years.
- Rural areas face different challenges.
Your task:
Convince the group that Medellín provides the best example for reducing crime and poverty.
6. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF THIS HAPPENED?
Scenario 1: The Kidnapping Threat
A local business owner receives extortion demands from a criminal group.
- What should they do?
- Should they cooperate with authorities?
- What risks exist?
Scenario 2: The Young Recruit
A teenager is offered money by a criminal organization.
- Why might they accept?
- How could society prevent this?
- Who is responsible?
Scenario 3: The Tourist Robbery
A tourist is robbed while visiting Colombia.
- How should authorities respond?
- Could this damage tourism?
- What safety measures could help?
Scenario 4: The Corrupt Official
You discover that a local politician has accepted money from a criminal organization.
- Should the information be reported?
- What risks might whistleblowers face?
- How can corruption be reduced?
Scenario 5: The Illegal Mine
A mining company is operating illegally in a protected natural area.
- Should authorities close it immediately?
- What about the workers who depend on those jobs?
- How can economic development and environmental protection be balanced?
Scenario 6: The Community Peace Deal
A criminal group offers to stop violence in a neighbourhood if authorities agree not to prosecute some members.
- Should the government negotiate?
- Is peace more important than justice?
- What could be the long-term consequences?
7. Fill in the Blanks
Part 1
Word Bank
cartel — extortion — retaliation — laundering — resilient — legacy — corruption — displacement — infiltrated
- Pablo Escobar led the Medellín __________.
- Criminals use money __________ to hide illegal profits.
- Many communities experienced __________ because of violence.
- The organization __________ several government institutions.
- Citizens remained __________ despite difficult circumstances.
- The country's criminal __________ still affects society today.
- Some businesses pay __________ to avoid threats.
- The murder was believed to be an act of __________.
- __________ weakens trust in government.
Part 2
Word Bank
poverty — inequality — trafficking — tourism — institutions — violence — development — education — cooperation — opportunity
- Drug __________ remains a major challenge.
- Stronger public __________ can improve governance.
- Many experts believe __________ is key to reducing crime.
- International __________ is needed to fight organized crime.
- Economic __________ can create jobs and reduce poverty.
- Colombia has expanded its __________ industry.
- High levels of __________ contribute to social tension.
- Reducing __________ is a major government objective.
- Young people need more __________ for success.
- __________ often creates conditions that criminal groups exploit.
8. Comprehension Questions
- Summarize the connection between the two Escobars.
- What does "narco-soccer" reveal about Colombian society?
- Discuss one example of Colombia's beauty and one complication mentioned in the text.
- What ongoing issues does Colombia face today?
- Why was Andrés Escobar considered a symbol of hope?
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