Show overview
The Sicario Effect launched in 2018 and has put out 34 episodes, alongside 10 trailers or bonus episodes in the time since. That works out to roughly 10 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 51s and 31 min — with run-times ranging widely across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language History show.
The catalogue appears to be on hiatus or wound down — the most recent episode landed 7.3 years ago, with no new episodes in over a year. The busiest year was 2018, with 31 episodes published. Published by Exclave Media.
From the publisher
The Sicario Effect is a new series from Exclave Media. Jhon Jairo Velasquez Vasquez alias "Popeye" was Pablo Escobar's top lieutenant and The Medellin Cartel's chief sicario (assassin). He's publicly admitted to having personally killed 300 people. In 2014, after 23 years in prison, Popeye was released. Rather than lay low and enjoy his new freedom, he took to the internet and became a social media star, "Popeye the Repentant". And as we discovered, that's just the beginning. This is a story about crime, drugs, corruption, and a country's fight to control their narrative about the past, present, and future.
Latest Episodes
View all 34 episodesS1 Ep 19Episode 19: Amnesia
What does the future hold in store for Popeye? With his platform muted, will someone take his place? Or will a different narrative emerge? One thing is for sure in Colombia, the future will be determined by those who control the narrative. www.thesicarioeffect.com
S1 Ep 18Episode 18: Law Abiding Citizen
Jhon Jairo Velasquez Vasquez alias "Popeye" was once the Medellin Cartel's chief hitman and Pablo Escobar's most trusted lieutenant. After 23 years in jail-he was released and became a social media star. Since interviewing him in November of 2017, we watched Popeye grab headlines and create controversy with his narrative. From parties raided by cops, to his Narco-tours of Medellin. In late May, just days away from Colombia's presidential election, Popeye inserts himself into the fray. And then, everything changes. www.thesicarioeffect.com
S1 Ep 17Episode 17: Controlling the Narrative
Happy New Year! We're back! Popeye continues to make news. This time by tweeting his support to an ultra right-wing group in Spain. Any remaining speculation about his possible return to jail seems to have completely faded away. Following Popeye the last six months has proven one thing: The real currency in Colombia, is the narrative. And Popeye is engaged in all out combat to own and control it. Daniel Urrea is committed to creating a sustainable future. He is an advisor to a Medellin city councilman and a professor at the University of Antioquia. Lucky for us, he was also there when we interviewed Popeye. Daniel provides us with some insight into the fight over the narrative. Visit our website www.thesicarioeffect.com
Holiday Message & Update
bonusSome holiday greetings and quick schedule update.
S1 Ep 16Episode 16: The Home Office
April of 2018, five months after being detained in police raid that led to the capture of the alleged head of La Oficina De Envigado, Juan Carlos Mesa, public debate over wether Popeye should return to prison had disappeared.Regardless, his affiliation with La Oficina, gives us a glimpse into one of the most significant criminal groups in the world today. Daniel Rico is a renowned Colombian economist, & leading consultant on money laundering and criminal economies analysis.Daniel breaks it all down for us. www.TheSicarioEffect.com
S1 Ep 15Episode 15: Narcoculture
The most powerful thing Pablo Escobar did was leave behind a narrative. The young, enterprising Paisa smuggler, who became richer and more powerful than all of the elites in Colombia. It appeals to the masses, especially the disenfranchised. Unfortunately, the narrative often ignores the many innocent victims. The allure of Narcoculture has a number of potentially dangerous implications. Acclaimed Colombian writer, Joseph Avski, gives us some perspective on the impact of narcoculture in Colombia. www.TheSicarioEffect.com
S1 Ep 14Episode 14: Luck of the Draw
The Medellin Cartel's victims and their families exist more as statistics than real people. Narcoterrorism has touched the lives of everyone in Colombia. Behind the stories of the plotting and scheming, are the people who were at the wrong place and the wrong time, just living their lives. Mónica Gómez Villafañe is a successful banking executive in Colombia. In 1989, a chance encounter at the Bogota airport would change her life forever. www.TheSicarioEffect.com
Bonus Episode: Reaction & Theory
bonusBonus Episode: Because of the holiday, episode 14 will be out next Monday, Dec 3, 2018. In the meantime, please enjoy this "behind the scenes" bonus episode. A few days after Popeye was detained by police at a party for Colombia's most wanted man, Jonathan and his team discuss the breaking news and its many implications. www.TheSicarioEffect.com
S1 Ep 13Episode 13: Esteban
Esteban Orozco is an accomplished screenwriter and producer. Most recently he was a writer on the hit Netflix series, "El Chapo". From day one, Esteban provided us with insight into Medellin and it's culture of crime. After returning to LA, Jonathan invited Esteban to sit down to discuss and help process the experience. Neither could have predicted only two days prior, Popeye would be back in the headlines after attending a party for the most wanted man in Colombia. Website: www.TheSicarioEffect.com
Preview Ep 13
trailerPreview of Episode 13. Coming Monday November 19, 2018.
S1 Ep 12Episode 12: Surprise Party
December 2017- Los Angeles. Shortly after returning from Medellin, we start to examine Popeye's claims of repentance, when a startling event occurs, sending this story in an entirely new and unexpected direction. It all starts with a birthday party, for a man called "Tom".
Preview Ep 12
trailerPreview of Episode 12. Coming Monday November 12, 2018.
S1 Ep 11Episode 11: Perspective
Jhon Jairo Velasquez Vasquez was once Escobar's chief assassin. He committed unspeakable acts of violence. Now after 23 years in prison, he's out. For a lot of people this isn't enough. But Popeye would disagree and say he served his debt to society. But he's not your ordinary criminal. And Colombia isn't a simple place. For more information, credits and bonus features visit www.thesicarioeffect.com
Preview Ep 11
Preview of Episode 11. Coming Monday November 5, 2018.
S1 Ep 10Episode 10: Empire of Blood and Fire
The Medellin Cartel was like a cult and Pablo Escobar, its leader, but by 1989 the façade of invincibility would crack. The hunt to capture Pablo was intensifying, and the barriers protecting him would soon begin to fall. After learning the cops were tracking his own men, Pablo shifts his strategy, instead of remaining shielded by sicarios, he orders Popeye and others to turn themselves into police, opting to be guarded by one man. Shortly after entering jail, Popeye is forced to confront life without Escobar.
Preview Ep 10
trailerPreview of Episode 10. Coming Monday October 29, 2018.
S1 Ep 9Episode 9: The Last Straw
By August of 1989, Luis Carlos Galan was the most popular politician in Colombia, overshadowing his rivals in the presidential election. He understood the nation's problems and offered hope for the future. Galan supported extradition and viewed narcotrafficking as a threat to the country's stability. For Pablo Escobar and the Medellin Cartel, preventing Galan from becoming President of Colombia was their top priority. As Pablo's chief hitman, Popeye participated in the act that changed the country forever
Preview Ep 9
Preview of Episode 9. Coming Monday October 22, 2018.
S1 Ep 8Episode 8: Force Majeure
In January of 1988, over the course of eight days, Popeye directed and personally participated in a two-stage terrorist operation which included the kidnapping of then Bogota mayoral candidate, (and future President), Andres Pastrana, and the kidnapping of Colombia's Inspector General, Carlos Mauro Hoyos. These brazen acts shocked the nation and threatened the national security of Colombia.
Preview Ep 8
Preview of Episode 8. Coming Monday October 15, 2018.