Today’s Video: Dark Knights

Former Medellin Cartel chief Pablo Escobar is remembered by very few residents of that city as the man who built houses and soccer fields for the poor. His efforts to give the image of a benefactor failed among most Colombians hurt by his greed, ruthlessness and sanguinary nature.

Much like the late Escobar, Mexico’s Knights Templar drug gang are also attempting to trick others and portraying themselves as modern-day Robin Hoods. The drug gang distributed flyers and hung banners last week in Michoacán claiming that they helped “achieve” a drop in food prices.



According to a translation in Hispanically Speaking News of a portion of the “narco-mantas”:

In recent days our brotherhood, through an invitation with business owners, achieved a reduction in prices in the meat and tortilla industry. The invitation was accepted by our friends the business owners and recognized by the people in most need in our state. We want to remain clear that this agreement occurred without pressure or blackmail.

The communiqué comes weeks after the Knights pledged not to commit any acts of violence during Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Mexico last month. Unsurprisingly, however, the Knights may have broken their promise.

Escobar’s false appeal for economic justice failed in the eyes of most of his compatriots and the same could be the case for Mexico’s "narco-Evangelical" cartel.

(Via Al Jazeera English from July 2011):

Video Source – YouTube via Al Jazeera English

Online Sources - Hispanically Speaking News, Milenio, InSight Crime