Jhon Jairo Velásquez

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Jhon Jairo Velásquez
Velásquez being interviewed in 2014
Born(1962-04-15)April 15, 1962
Yarumal, Antioquia, Colombia
DiedFebruary 6, 2020(2020-02-06) (aged 57)
NationalityColombian
Other namesJJ
OccupationHitman
AllegianceMedellín Cartel
Conviction(s)Murder, kidnapping and terrorism (charges with conviction fulfilled).
Date apprehended
1992

Jhon Jairo Velásquez Vasquez (April 15, 1962 – February 6, 2020), also known by the alias "Popeye", was a hitman.[1] He was part of the criminal structure of the Medellín Cartel until his surrender to the Colombian justice system in 1992. He was a known as a hitman working for Pablo Escobar.[2]

Jhon Jairo was known as "JJ" and was the "General of the Mafia" and even killed his girlfriend at Pablo's request.

In January 2020, it was announced that Velásquez had terminal esophageal cancer. He died on February 6, 2020 in Bogotá from the disease, aged 57.[3][4]

References[change | change source]

  1. "El ex jefe de sicarios de Pablo Escobar seguirá en prisión al menos hasta 2016 (Spanish). Murio tras la enfermedad de Cancer Ex-chief of Pablo Escobar's hitmen to be in prison until 2016.". El Mundo. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  2. Ramos, Fernando; Romo, Rafael (August 27, 2014). "Colombia frees Escobar man who killed". CNN.com. CNN.
  3. "Popeye padece cáncer terminal de esófago" (in Spanish). 8 January 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  4. Brito, Christopher (2020) Pablo Escobar's former hitman "Popeye" has died at 57 cbsnews.com