César Gaviria quotes from Narcos

César Gaviria

It has long been our government's policy to deal with every man equally in the eyes of the law. So - [hushed whispers] Colombians say God made our land so beautiful it was unfair to the rest of the world. So to even the score, God populated the land with a race of evil men. The primary impediment to a free and uninhibited future is the violence and terror that currently grips our beloved country. A violence initiated by these evil men will be brought to justice in the name of decency and in the memory of Luis Carlos Galán. We will extradite. This decision will not come from fear. It has come from a clarity of judgment free from the cloud of terror that surrounds us and obscures our view. I can say only one thing to Colombians in these times of peril: There will be a future.

César Gaviria

[live broadcast] Escobar has been named the bloodiest narco-terrorist of all time. This history changes today. But I need your help. We must come together as a people, as a country, so his reign of terror comes to an end, here and now. This is why I'm before you now offering a reward of $1.4 million for whoever gives information leading to his capture. It is my hope that through this reward the day will finally come when our country is free of Pablo's grip and will cease to be held hostage by terror, intimidation and murder. I want to make it very clear that under no circumstances will I negotiate with Pablo Escobar.

César Gaviria

It's up to you, Eduardo. Whatever you decide, I'll do.

Avianca announces the departure of Flight 203 to Cali, now boarding at Gate 6.

Eduardo Sandoval

[looks at watch and at Murphy] I'll follow your gut this time. I'll organize the exit. [to guards as he leaves to rebook their flight] You guys stay with him.

[to Murphy] Well, it seems like you and I are not the only ones afraid.

We want to help you catch Escobar.

César Gaviria

I have enormous gratitude to you, especially with Agent Murphy, whose warnings kept me off that plane. You, sir, yes.

Eduardo Sandoval

Unfortunately, not the rest of the passengers.

The people in Colombia are horrified about the bombing of Avianca's plane. But they're also against American soldiers on our soil and spy planes intercepting calls, so-

America doesn't intercept civilian phone calls. That's absurd.

Steve Murphy

Presidente, you need additional resources to get this man.

Well your government's research says 660 tons of cocaine were consumed in the United States last year. Perhaps if your resources were focused at home, we'd all be better off.

Murphy

[voiceover] Gaviria made good on his promise to go after Escobar. Colonel Carrillo's Search Bloc was set loose with a vengeance. Carrillo mounted dozens of raids. But with an army of informants, Escobar somehow always got away. We sat on the sidelines, hands tied by bureaucracy. In response, Pablo took his narco-terrorism to a whole new level with a bombing campaign that would shake the country to its foundations. In doing his best to avoid war, that's exactly what Gaviria got. And the toll on both sides was devastating. The thing about war is it's just bad for business. And when you got a bull's-eye on your back, your rivals get bold.

You are risking my daughter's life!

César Gaviria

No, Nydia, with all due respect, we are not risking anyone's life.

Eduardo Sandoval

Our priority is the life of your daughter and the lives of the rest of the hostages. But our priority is also to capture Escobar.

You cannot have both things at once. Negotiate with Escobar while trying to capture him?

Do you know what he is demanding? That we call a constitutional referendum to abolish extradition. That he only plead guilty to having trafficked drugs one time. And worst of all, he wants to build his own jail and have his own guards to watch over him. This is a deal with the devil.

You are the president of a country that became a living hell some time ago. With whom else did you expect to be making a deal?

Eduardo Sandoval

Mr. President, I just spoke with the attorney general. Moncada's wife reported his disappearance from La Catedral. It's clear that Escobar killed those men in that prison.

César Gaviria

I don't think he'd take it that far.

Eduardo Sandoval

Escobar is capable of anything. But you know what? This could be a good opportunity for us.

Forgive me, Eduardo, but I'm having a hard time finding the silver lining in all this.

Sandoval

This is our opportunity to end Pablo's vacation.

César Gaviria

He thinks I should publicly condemn Los Pepes.

Arthur Crosby

They're criminals. Their activities cannot be condoned. Even if one does approve of the results. Mr. President, I'm no one to bullshit. Maybe that's hurt me in my career. Yes, Los Pepes are an ugly business. They're getting to Escobar. That's all that matters at the present.

If I condemn them, I have to police them.

Crosby

With politics and war, the trick is in the timing. Watch how they evolve, how their actions are received.

And, uh, up till then, pretend they don't exist.

Crosby

Well, we can if you can.