Negotiating with Escobar

When Maruja is not freed, Villamizar decides he must travel to Medellín to confront Escobar directly. His search for Escobar starts with a trip to the prison where the Ochoas are held, and they agree to relay Villamizar's message to Escobar. Villamizar and Escobar exchange several messages. Villamizar explains that, in return for releasing the hostages, Escobar's conditions for surrender are met: his safety would be assured, and he would not face extradition. However, Escobar refuses to surrender, insisting that Colombia's Constituent Assembly must address the issue of extradition. In April, negotiations gain momentum when Father Rafael García Herreros offers to mediate. Escobar consents to meet with the priest in Medellín, and they negotiate the terms of Escobar's surrender, focusing mainly on his prison security. Escobar commands the release of Pacho and Maruja to occur a few days later, on May 20. That morning, Father García Herreros meets with President Gaviria to share the details of his conversation with Escobar. Maruja is freed at 7 PM that evening, after 193 days of captivity. Pacho hears about her release on the radio, and shortly after, he is released as well.

Epilogue

On June 19, 1991, with Villamizar, Father García Herreros, and others present, Escobar surrenders to Colombian authorities. He is detained in a Medellín prison, which he quickly transforms into a "five-star hacienda." He continues to manage his illegal operations from there. Once the government becomes aware of this, Escobar is moved to another prison, but he manages to escape during the transfer. A large-scale manhunt ensues, culminating in Escobar's death on December 2, 1993.