Chapter 10: The Torturer's Lobby

In Chapter 10: The Torturer's Lobby, a section titled "From Villain to Victim" discusses Colombia's reputation as the world's largest drug empire. The country's image suffered an additional blow in 1991 when the government stopped extradition of drug traffickers into the US and negotiated an in-country "surrender" of Pablo Escobar, the head of the notorious Medellin drug cartel.  At the time, Escobar was facing nine indictments in the US for drug trafficking and murder.  Under the terms of the surrender, he was picked up by a government helicopter and flown to a luxury jail dubbed the "Hilton prison" by US Congressman James Traficante.  Escobar's mountaintop jail came equipped with jacuzzi, air conditioning, three huge bedrooms and a guest room, walk-in closets and private baths, phone and fax machines, a soccer field, a game room, and a panoramic view of the Medellin valley.  He was also allowed to designate his own prison guards, and although police were banned from entering the "prison," well-placed bribes enabled Escobar to "escape" and "surrender" at will.   I think that entire report is absolutely ridiculous.  It gives Colombia the terrible reputation it deserves as they treated their criminals like kings.  It is as though the government disregarded all the crimes Escobar committed because they were willing to accept bribes, which is corrupt and absolutely absurd.   Furthermore, the Colombian Army's frequent collaboration with drug traffickers is despicable.  Turning a villain into a victim is a crime, and transforming the victim into a hero and leader in the war on drugs is simply ridiculous.  It seems that every country's government puts a spin on things to make themselves look favorable and right in any situation.