Alias the Mexican

Interpreted by: Juan Calero

Gonzalo Rodriguez Gacha was born on May 14th, 1947 in a farmer family in Pacho, Cundinamarca. He grew up sharing his clothes, food and a single bed with his brothers. From the moment he saw his best friend get murdered in cold blood when he sold him out to win an emerald; Gacha learned that the end justifies the means. He was always a stubborn man, intolerant and greedy. He was narcissistic, with almost no sense of rules and guilt. His impulsive, manipulative and what Americans call “passive aggressive” character defined him. Soon, emerald mines were too small for him and he discovered drug dealing and with it, everything he was looking for, easy money in huge quantities, money that also surrounds him with people that admire, fear and respect him. He was undoubtedly a visionary for big business; he was trying to monopolize all the production, transportation and distribution of the commerce. He never saw drug dealing as a crime, but a prosperous exportation industry.

Interpreted by: Carolina Gaitán

Ana Belen was the youngest out of three siblings and from her early days she was the cutest of them all. Ana was the only girl, reason why both her mother and father spoiled her. When she was 8 years old, Ana Belen knew her destiny was to become a beauty queen. It all started as a game that turned more serious over the years, first, elementary school queen, then high school queen, town fairs, regional fairs. When she was about to win the beauty pageant that chose “Mrs. San Martin”, Mrs. Beatriz Elisa who was a bit short on cash has no other choice but to look for a sponsor, and she goes to the man of the moment, Rodriguez Gacha. Mrs. Beatriz Elisa is then forced to pay the price for his help and she must become a drug mule. Ana Belen arrives at the United States with her entrails filled with white dust and with that she wins a ticket straight to prison. Her fantasy world, the palaces, gentlemen, it all comes crumbling down and soon she starts using the same dust she was carrying inside her.

Interpreted by: Rafael Novoa

Jaime Ramirez was raised in a family with very determined values; ethics and honesty were elements his mother insisted on the most when he was growing up. When he decided to become a police officer his parents were very proud of him and made a great effort to pay for his career, and he soon stood out because of his great spirit to serve. Jaime is a man that lives everything passionately: his mission as a police officer, his role in the family, the education of his children and the fight for justice is what drives him. With his wife he was a wonderful man, loving and caring. He always enjoyed her company; they were close friends and confidents. He escalated in his career without problems and with a lot of honors. He was always the go to man for his superiors and he swore to finish drug trafficking in his country.

Interpreted by: Flora Martínez

Since she reached puberty, Isis became and adrenaline junkie, she practiced extreme sports, made camping field trips, walked through darks streets at night; she felt life made no sense without strong emotions. When she decided to study journalism she dreamt about being a war correspondent, of uncovering spies and complot theories, to die searching for the greatest story. For Isis, there are no limits when it comes to getting a story, even if it means getting into bed with a drug lord, a district attorney or a Colonel of the republic. Beyond her desire for the news, she is motivated by feeling the adrenaline rush of getting the story between the sheets. She is not one of those women who fall madly in love, and she keeps in mind her mother’s words, “women sit on a treasure” and she learned how to use it to get anything she wants out of life.

Interpreted by: Toto Vega

Arturo was born in a distinguished family from the city of Bogota, son of an extremely traditional home. He studied communications and journalism, married a young society woman and had kids whom he sent to study at a bilingual school. He was a loving, fun and correct man, a workaholic, not completely present for his family, which made him suffer the constant recriminations from his wife for spending more hours at the office than at home. Arturo is the “poster” journalist, a defender of freedom of speech and who effectively knows that the media are the fourth power. For his brave columns he got to sit in the director´s chair at “Modus Operandi” in the period where drug trafficking was at its worst moment for the country, drug lords made bombs explode and women had breast implants. He was not afraid to look at where the tentacles of the business that governed the country reached to.

Interpreted by: Rúben Zamora

Ernesto was born in Cuba in the sixties and as soon as he could he grabbed a boat and headed out towards Miami where he discovered money and fell in love with it. Because of partying and nightlife he found marihuana and got into the business. First selling, later on distributing and finally he decided to get the marihuana himself by travelling to La Guajira, Colombia where he decided to move. He became Rodriguez Gacha´s best friend because he was the only one who was able to earn his trust. He doesn’t agree with everything he does but as long as he is still his business partner and doesn’t mess with him he doesn’t see the need to have an argument with Gacha. “El Cuyanito” is a womanizer, he likes easy and hot women, and he doesn’t want to get involved or have a serious relationship. He is a man that enjoys the fine things in life and likes to have fun; he is the life of the party, the unconditional partner. His light way of living will take its toll on him when he is betrayed by Rodriguez Gacha.

Interpreted by: Rodolfo Silva

Marco Antonio was a hit man since his school days. When he was finishing high school his brains only allowed him to become a police officer in his hometown. After a while he became fond of power, of being sucked up to and respected. He doesn’t want to follow the rules, he wants to make them. He knows that with money and power, you can do anything in this world. His principles adapt to every situation and he thinks that the end justifies the means. His dream is to be a sergeant and be able to retire and live in a comfortable place in the best part of town, like the respectable people do. In the meantime, since his salary doesn’t cover his expenses, he makes some extra money in what he considers is helping the community…he is a corrupt police officer. Egocentric, charmless, his identity is based on his uniform, the only thing he has that boosts his self-esteem. He became a police officer to have power over his fellow men and doesn’t know the concept of service. He is the embodiment of Colombia´s corrupt society.

Interpreted by: Nicolás Rincón

Julian is an educated kid that comes from a good family. He is strict, responsible and diligent. He never gave any trouble growing up and is part of a pretty family where love and discipline come first. His father wanted him to study in the town´s private school so he would be able to go to the university and have a career. He is a romantic boy, one of those that still believes in love, respectful of women and would never ever raise a hand to a lady. Julian falls deeply in love with Ana Belen, he feels obliged to take her out of the life her mother has gotten her into. He doesn’t want to be a hero, he just really loves her. For him, you have to do things right or not do them at all, his principles are strict and rigid. He is sexist because that is the way he was raised, and feels it is his duty to protect and provide for his woman.

Interpretetd by: Victor Trespalacios

William was born in Pacho, Cundinamarca in a farm where his parents took care of the land. He was loyal, kind hearted and generous. He worked with his father on the farm until he turned 19 years old, when he found out that in the boss hacienda they were looking for a gardener. He interviewed for the job and the boss liked him. He started as a gardener and little by little he won the boss´ trust. He went from being the gardener to fixing things around the house, doing the shopping, organizing the parties, getting the woman of the house away from the house, hiring girls for the parties, negotiating the liquor and counting the money. He was familiar with the entire boss ‘businesses and he also knew how the rules worked, but since he abided by them, he thought he was fine. His wife and children never lacked anything, he gave them food and an education. He had it clear in his mind that if the boss did okay, then the town did ok, so he did anything he could to protect it.