'The Only Man I Was afraid of was a woman named Griselda Blanco'; said the world's biggest & notorious narco Pablo Escobar. The much-awaited crime biopic Griselda was released on Netflix on January 25, 2024. From the critically acclaimed makers of Netflix hit series Narcos, Griselda is the true story of a Columbian woman named Griselda Blanco who owned a cocaine operation in Miami, USA during the late 1970s-80. Infamously known as 'The Godmother', Griselda Blanco broke the stereotype in the drug business and made her own empire by smuggling cocaine using models and adult workers. Griselda had fled from Columbia after killing her husband Alberto Bravo who forced her to sleep with his brother so that he could clear his debt. While there are many facts about Miami's notorious 'Godmother' that have shocked the world, fans are still wondering about Griselda Blanco & Pablo Escobar's relationship as it is the only aspect the makers have not touched in the series. Below is everything you need to know about Griselda Blanco and Pablo Escobar's connection-
Griselda Blanco & Pablo Escobar's relationship explained
While Griselda Blanco rose to fame in the world of Narcos in the 1980s, she certainly knew Pablo Escobar. As per reports, it is believed that Griselda Blanco was a member of the Medellin Cartel, which was headed up by Pablo Escobar. Not only this, it is believed that Blanco earned her nickname 'La Madrina' (The Godmother) because of her ties to Escobar – known as 'El Padrino' (The Godfather).
Notably, Pablo Escobar started smuggling drugs in the early 1970s, the official cartel wasn’t started up until 1976. On the other hand, Griselda Blanco also began to be active in the world of drugs in the 1970s but didn’t branch out on her own until a decade later.
In the 1970s, Griselda Blanco and Pablo Escobar certainly would have been rivals. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Blanco's involvement with the cartel were incorrect. Some sources believe that although Escobar grew to outrank her in terms of leverage, Blanco had already established her legacy well before the arrival of him or the cartel. Still ruling the roost into the 2000s, Blanco certainly outlasted Escobar as well.
The main link between Griselda Blanco and Pablo Escobar is the city of Medellin itself. It was in Medellin where they both operated and also they were both killed. In fact, after Blanco was released from Jail, she started living in Medellin where she was assassinated. Notably, it is said that the Medellin cartel gunmen killed her due to previous vendettas.