Colombia Allocates Pablo Escobar’s Hacienda Nápoles Land to Women Conflict Victims
The Colombian government has allocated 120 hectares of Hacienda Nápoles to women victims of the armed conflict. This historic estate was once owned by notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar and is situated in Puerto Triunfo, Antioquia. The announcement was made by President Gustavo Petro.
Pablo Escobar’s Hacienda Nápoles: A Land of Controversy
Hacienda Nápoles became state property following Escobar’s death in 1993. Since then, it has been managed by the local municipality and transformed into a theme park, zoo, and hotel complex. The estate notably featured an aircraft linked to cocaine trafficking for many years.
This site is also recognized for its exotic animal collection, including hippos that Escobar brought to the estate. These hippos have proliferated extensively and are now classified as an invasive species in Colombia.
Land Redistribution Initiative
The land allocation is part of President Petro’s agrarian reform program. This initiative aims to redistribute thousands of hectares to conflict victims and farmers, addressing the historical damages caused by narcotrafficking and violence in Colombia.
- Area Allocated: 120 hectares
- Location: Hacienda Nápoles, Puerto Triunfo, Antioquia
- Total Size of Hacienda: Over 4,000 hectares
- Historical Owner: Pablo Escobar
- Notable Wildlife: Hippos, now invasive
President Petro emphasized that this measure aims to prevent the “political and economic heirs” of the drug lord from reclaiming the lands. He described the recovery of the estate as a symbolic gesture of justice for the victims of the conflict.
This allocation marks the first step in a series of planned distributions by the government, signifying a commitment to rectify past injustices related to narcotrafficking and its long-term impacts on Colombian society.
