Souvenirs of Escobar May Be Banned

Souvenirs depicting the late drug lord Pablo Escobar should be banned in Colombia, according to a new bill.

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Souvenirs of Escobar May Be Banned
Photo: Fernando Vergara/AP/TT

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According to the proposal, those who sell souvenirs featuring Escobar or other criminals will be fined an equivalent of approximately 1,800 Swedish kronor. Even individuals who wear caps, t-shirts, and other garments with the drug lord's image may be fined.

The proposal has received both criticism and praise: For souvenir vendors, it is a significant source of income.

Many people make a living from this, says Rafael Nieto, who sells refrigerator magnets and t-shirts with a picture of Pablo Escobar's Colombian ID card.

He claims that the souvenirs are in high demand among tourists from the USA, Europe, and other Latin American countries. Banning the sale is an attempt to restrict freedom of speech, he believes.

On the other hand, those in favor of the ban argue that it is time to wash away the country's reputation as a haven for mafia bosses.

There are other ways to sell our country to the world, says Cristian Avendaño from Colombia's Green Party, who has drafted the proposal.

The party also wants the Colombian government to investigate how many people live on selling Escobar-related products and how much the market is worth.

The proposal must be approved by Congress before it can come into effect.

Pablo Escobar was the leader of the so-called Medellín cartel and is believed to have ordered the murder of around 4,000 people. He was shot dead in 1993.

Corrected: In an earlier version, the incorrect fine amount was stated.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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