‘If we don’t recieve it, we will close their little show.’
In a letter issued to streaming giant Netflix, dated July 1, 2016, Roberto De Jesus Escobar Gaviria, 71, brother of Pablo Escobar and former ‘chief of the hitmen’ for the Medellin Cartel, demanded $1 billion from Netflix for unauthorised use of content.
“If we don’t receive it, we will close their little show,” he threatened.
Roberto Escobar, who was arrested in 1993, was released 10 years later. He was the head accountant for the Cartel during the heyday in the ’80s.
Speaking to Hollywood Reporter, Escobar said, “I don’t want Netflix or any other film production company to film any movies in Medellin or Colombia that relates to me or my brother Pablo without authorization from Escobar Inc. It is very dangerous. Especially without our blessing. This is my country.”
Founded in 2014 by Roberto, Escobar Inc. is registered as “successor-in-interest rights” for his brother in California.
The drug kingpin, Pablo, was killed off at the end of the show’s second season, and when Roberto was asked about the show’s depiction of his brother, he said, “I don’t discuss my brother’s death. Some people say he is dead. That is all I know. To me he is still alive and my brother.”
Asked about his ongoing feud with Netflix, Roberto Escobar said, “Netflix are scared. They sent us a long letter to threaten us. Right now, we are in discussions with them through our attorneys Browne George Ross LLP to obtain our $1 billion payment. If we don’t receive it, we will close their little show.”
