The Influence of a Powerful Drug Cartel on Love

El Cartel distinguishes itself from other telenovelas by not only focusing on the portrayal of a romantic relationship, but conveying the significance of the Colombian drug trade in the 70s and 80s. Although there were many underground drug trades, El Cartel depicts the tactics of the Medellin Cartel which was run by drug lord Pablo Escabar. The Medellin Cartel originated in Medellin, Colombia and held power in countries such as Bolivia, Panama, Central America, Peru, and the United States, as well as in Canada and Europe. Pablo Escabar began his reign in 1975 and it continued until his death in 1993. It’s calculated that Escobar’s net worth was 35 billion at the peak of the drug trade era in Columbia
The complexity of the drug trade network becomes crucial to the plot of El cartel when the main character, Martin, gets involved in this drug trade in an attempt to increase his income quickly with minimal effort. Not only does that put him at risk, but it complicates the relationship that eventually forms when Martin is forced to choose between the trade and his lover, Sofia. Although Martin fails to see the dangers associated with the drug trade, Sofia threatens to leave him if he continues selling illegal drugs, such as cocaine. 

In conclusion, El Cartel's dramatization of the drug cartel network has a substantial amount of historical truth behind it. This results in a captivating plot that keeps the audience engaged throughout the entirety of each episode.

Comments

  1. Mariana MejiaSeptember 30, 2019 at 10:52 AM

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  2. Mariana MejiaSeptember 30, 2019 at 11:13 AM

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  3. Mariana MejiaSeptember 30, 2019 at 11:28 AM

    I think that although there's some dramatization of El Cartel, the telenovela depicts the life associated with the drug cartel accurately (with the danger and inner workings of it). In order to make it more interesting there's more fluff added, but the forefront of it is very truthful. Colombia went through a lot during this time considering how dangerous the drug trade made the country. This makes the telenovela actually a bit less extreme than what it was like in real life. For example, in Bogota (the capital) there were bombings that were done by the cartel in order to demonstrate dominance as well as pose a threat to the country. Therefore, this telenovela is toned down a bit considering the actual events, but very much graphic to depict them. I agree with you that there is a "substantial amount of historical truth behind" the actual events. However, not everything can be shown due to the intensity of the content.

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  4. Sarah DodsonOctober 6, 2019 at 6:21 PM

    The presence of a drug cartel on a relationship is very relevant. The telenovela I am watching, La Piloto, also has to do with a drug cartel. Through your description I can see the parallels between the two stories. Like your story, the presence of a drug cartel drives the protagonist away from a man. However, in my story she is drawn back to him because of something that the drug lord can offer, a career as a pilot. The effects of something like a drug cartel can ruin just anything, especially a relationship. Stories like these can make a telenovela leaving the audience wanting for more because of the cross between illegal doings and love.

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  5. scozineOctober 7, 2019 at 6:54 PM

    I find it interested how most current telenovelas involve some sort of depiction of narco-traffic mixed in with the assemblage of a love story. I'm sure that the presence of narco-traffic in telenovelas has been seen long before we have discovered it; however, it definitely seems to be a more prominent issue in telenovelas today. The issue of narco-traffic in telenovelas is much more relevant to audiences now because of the corruption and drug wars seen in certain countries. I think that depicting the narco-traffic world makes audiences more aware and more weary of what has happened in the past and what is happening now. Not only may it add dramatic effects and offer another obstacle to a love story like in your telenovela, but it also is a relevant issue that may reside with certain audiences.

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