Evaluation of Carlos Lehder’s Interview with Semana: A Deep Analysis
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11 Apr Evaluation of Carlos Lehder’s Interview with Semana: A Deep Analysis

Posted at 16:32h in Analysis by

By,

William Acosta, SME, MSI² & Jesús Daniel Romero, Co-Founder and Senior Fellow, MSI²

Executive Summary

This analysis focuses on the interview with Carlos Enrique Lehder Rivas, a former prominent member of the Medellín Cartel, published in Semana magazine. In the interview, Lehder reflects on his return to Colombia and his role in drug trafficking.

Known for his involvement in the massive transportation of cocaine to the United States, Lehder seeks to reshape his image through a narrative of repentance, although his discourse reveals contradictions regarding his involvement in violent acts and key decisions within the organization.

Carlos Lehder: A Drug Lord in History

Convicted to life in prison for drug trafficking, Lehder spent 33 years in high-security U.S. prisons. During his time in the Cartel, he was a pioneer in using the Bahamas as a base for cocaine trafficking. His cooperation with U.S. authorities led to a sentence reduction, and after his release in 2020, he returned to Colombia in 2025, promoting his book Life and Death of the Medellín Cartel, from which he reportedly earns around $1,000 a month.

Cartel Fortune and Strategy

Lehder amassed significant wealth during his criminal career, notably through the acquisition of Norman’s Cay in the Bahamas, a strategic point for cocaine trafficking. This island enabled efficient drug transportation to the U.S., responsible for approximately 80% of cocaine entering the country during the 1980s, demonstrating his pivotal role in the Cartel’s rise (Gugliotta & Leen, 1989).

Minimizing Violence and Responsibility

Throughout the interview, Lehder attempts to distance himself from the Cartel’s inherent violence, particularly the crimes under Pablo Escobar’s command. He denies involvement in murders such as that of Justice Minister Rodrigo Lara Bonilla, although his claim of being one of the Cartel’s “bosses” contradicts his effort to evade responsibility. These discrepancies highlight the complexity of his persona, where his desire to maintain a favorable public image clashes with his violent past.

Credit: Adobe Stock- Standard license on file.

Crimes of the Medellín Cartel: A Timeline of Violence (1980s)

Carlos Lehder and other members of the Medellín Cartel were involved in a series of violent crimes that shaped the history of drug trafficking in Colombia. These events, documented by various reports and journalists, illustrate the extent of violence used by the Cartel in the 1980s.

1980

  • Murder of Fernando Uribe Senior, head of Civil Aviation, for refusing to grant flight licenses to traffickers.
  • Judge Ana Cecilia Cartagena was gunned down by Escobar’s hitmen for her anti-extradition stance.

1981

  • Kidnapping of Martha Nieves Ochoa, sister of the Ochoa clan.
  • Lehder was kidnapped and later escaped from the M-19 guerrilla group.

1982

  • Pablo Escobar was expelled from the New Liberalism party by Luis Carlos Galán but was still elected as a congressman.
  • Murder of journalist and lawyer Nelson Anaya Barreto, who denounced drug trafficking.
  • Murder of prosecutor Domingo Cuello Pertuz, who investigated drug-related crimes.

1983

  • Assassination of Justice Minister Rodrigo Lara Bonilla, a milestone in Colombia’s fight against narco-trafficking.
  • Discovery of Tranquilandia and Villacoca, drug-processing complexes.

1984

  • Murder of DEA agent Enrique Camarena Salazar in Mexico.
  • Murder of judges Álvaro Medina Ochoa and Tulio Manuel Castro Gil, linked to the Lara Bonilla case.

1985

  • Assassinations and attacks linked to the Medellín Cartel, including the killing of pilot Barry Seal and journalist Roberto Camacho Prada.

1986

  • Further killings of public figures, including Captain Luis Alfredo Macana.

1987

  • Capture and extradition of Carlos Lehder to the United States.
  • Murders of Héctor Abad Gómez and Jaime Pardo Leal.

1988

  • Bombing attacks, including the bombing of the Mónaco Building and kidnapping of Attorney General Carlos Mauro Hoyos.
  • Car bomb attack against El Colombiano newspaper.

1989

  • Known as “the year of horror” due to the surge in violence, including attacks and murders of judges, journalists, and politicians. A pivotal year in Colombia’s narco-violence history.

In response to Lehder’s statements, Nicolás Escobar, nephew of Pablo Escobar, gave an interview to Infobae stating that Lehder “lies shamelessly” about his role in the Medellín Cartel and his uncle’s responsibility. He accused Lehder of using his book to promote himself while evading accountability (Escobar, 2025).

During a Semana interview with Rodrigo Lara Bonilla’s son, the reporter read excerpts from Lehder’s book in which he justified the minister’s assassination, claiming, “the death of someone who wanted to extradite us based on a treaty he knew was illegal was justified” (Lehder, 2024, p. 23). Later, Lehder expressed his rejection of Escobar’s violent actions, saying, “Having walked an important part of my own spiritual path within Christianity, I can now say with peace that I always reject and will regret Escobar’s bloody and barbaric actions, beginning with the murder of Lara Bonilla” (Lehder, 2024, p. 45). In response, Rodrigo Lara stated, “That crime, the murder of my father, remains in impunity” (Lara, 2025, para. 5), and called for a formal reopening of the investigation linking Lehder (Lara, 2025, para. 8).

Minimization Strategy and Shared Responsibility

Lehder may be using a minimization strategy to distance himself from the most severe consequences of the Medellín Cartel’s actions, attempting to soften his public image and portray himself as a less guilty figure. He uses religion as a shield of repentance to elicit sympathy. Despite his attempts to downplay his role, it is crucial to remember that as a cartel leader, he was involved in critical decisions and meetings with the cartel leadership, and all members contributed financially to these criminal operations—making it impossible to absolve him of responsibility.

Redemption Narrative and Impact of His Actions

Lehder’s focus on forgiveness and reflection may be part of a redemption narrative aimed at gaining public sympathy. However, this must not overshadow the severity of the crimes in which he was involved. The murder of public figures like Lara Bonilla had profound political implications and marked a period of extreme violence in Colombia. Downplaying his role in these events may be seen as an attempt to escape accountability for the terror that engulfed the country during the Cartel’s reign.

Public Perception and Contrast with Other Testimonies

Lehder’s presentation in the interview could shape public perception of him, but it is vital for analysts and the public to maintain a critical view of his statements and the broader history of Colombian drug trafficking. Comparing Lehder’s declarations with testimonies from other ex-cartel members or victims of violence could provide a more complete picture of his real role in the organization and the extent of his involvement in the crimes committed.

Conclusions and Final Considerations

Carlos Lehder’s return to Colombia has reignited interest in the Medellín Cartel’s history and its global narco-trafficking repercussions. Despite his efforts to discredit his responsibility in brutal crimes, his involvement in the organization is undeniable. The interview reveals the tension between his redemptive narrative and the reality of his involvement in drug-related violence.

The Colombian Attorney General’s Office and other state institutions have a fiduciary duty to investigate the murders committed during that era and not leave the files gathering dust in boxes. It is essential to maintain a critical approach to Lehder’s statements, contrasting them with victim testimonies and those of other former cartel members. Doing so would provide a clearer view of his true role and emphasize the need for justice for those affected by his actions.

References

Argüello, F. (2025). Exclusive interview with Carlos Lehder: Reflections of a repentant drug trafficker. Semana. Retrieved from https://www.semana.com

Escobar, N. (2025). Interview with Infobae. Retrieved from https://www.infobae.com

Gugliotta, G., & Leen, J. (1989). Kings of Cocaine: Inside the Medellín Cartel. Simon & Schuster.

Lehder, C. (2024). Vida y muerte del Cartel de Medellín. Random House.

Lara Bonilla, R. (2025). Interview with Semana. Retrieved from https://www.semana.com

Romero, J., & Tochterman, S. (2024). El Vuelo Final: La Reina del Aire. Bravo Zulu Publishers



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