Souvenirs of Escobar May Be Banned

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

» Updated: September 09 2024

» Published: August 06 2024

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

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.

Tags

TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald under license from TT

More news

Vance Expresses Cautious Optimism on
2 MIN READ

Vance Expresses Cautious Optimism on Ukraine Peace Talks in Europe

Ukraine Receives Remains of Over
1 MIN READ

Ukraine Receives Remains of Over 900 Fallen Soldiers

Veterans and Reservists Rally to
2 MIN READ

Veterans and Reservists Rally to End Gaza Conflict

Genre image
2 MIN READ

Norway's Largest Robbery Figure Found Dead in Oslo Forest

EU Expansion: Hungary's Block Delays
3 MIN READ

EU Expansion: Hungary's Block Delays Ukraine and Moldova Membership

New Russian Attacks on Ukraine
2 MIN READ

New Russian Attacks on Ukraine Leave 11 Dead, Over 100 Injured

China Refutes Claims of Supplying
1 MIN READ

China Refutes Claims of Supplying Weapons to Russia

Severe Weather in Italy Claims
2 MIN READ

Severe Weather in Italy Claims Three Lives, Triggers State of Emergency

USA May Exit Ukraine Peace
3 MIN READ

USA May Exit Ukraine Peace Talks Without Clear Progress, Rubio Warns

EU Officials Use Disposable Phones
1 MIN READ

EU Officials Use Disposable Phones for US Trips Over Spy Concerns

Israel's Blockade Leaves Gaza Residents
3 MIN READ

Israel's Blockade Leaves Gaza Residents Facing Severe Hunger Crisis

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Leave
1 MIN READ

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Leave 15 Dead, Including Family in Khan Yunis

US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill
2 MIN READ

US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill 74, Injure 171, Houthi Movement Reports

Trump Plans UK Visit to
1 MIN READ

Trump Plans UK Visit to Meet King Charles This Autumn

Luigi Mangione Faces Federal Murder
1 MIN READ

Luigi Mangione Faces Federal Murder Charges in CEO's Death

Red Cross Building in Gaza
1 MIN READ

Red Cross Building in Gaza Damaged by Explosion, ICRC Expresses Outrage

Ukraine Talks to Continue in
2 MIN READ

Ukraine Talks to Continue in London Next Week Following Paris Meeting

Myanmar Seeks Regional Aid After
1 MIN READ

Myanmar Seeks Regional Aid After Devastating Earthquake

Cable Car Accident in Italy
1 MIN READ

Cable Car Accident in Italy Claims Four Lives Near Naples

Trump Seeks to Narrow Species
1 MIN READ

Trump Seeks to Narrow Species Protection Law, Sparking Criticism

Zelensky Accuses China of Supplying
1 MIN READ

Zelensky Accuses China of Supplying Weapons to Russia

Aid Groups Warn of Imminent
1 MIN READ

Aid Groups Warn of Imminent Collapse in Gaza Due to Blockade

Haiti's Security Crisis Worsens as
1 MIN READ

Haiti's Security Crisis Worsens as Violence Spreads, Warns HRW

Russia Removes Terrorist Label from
1 MIN READ

Russia Removes Terrorist Label from Taliban

Genre image
1 MIN READ

57 Civilians Killed in al-Fashir Clashes Between Army and Paramilitaries

Russian Military Officer Sentenced to
1 MIN READ

Russian Military Officer Sentenced to Prison for Corruption

IAEA Warns Time is Running
1 MIN READ

IAEA Warns Time is Running Out for Iran-US Nuclear Agreement

Israeli Strikes Hit Southern Lebanon,
1 MIN READ

Israeli Strikes Hit Southern Lebanon, Targeting Suspected Hezbollah Sites

Trump Confident of Fair Customs
1 MIN READ

Trump Confident of Fair Customs Deal with EU, Says Meloni

Wrongfully Deported Man Remains in
3 MIN READ

Wrongfully Deported Man Remains in El Salvador Prison Despite Court Ruling

Turkey's Largest Drug Bust: Over
1 MIN READ

Turkey's Largest Drug Bust: Over 520 Arrested in Ankara Raids

Myanmar Releases 5,000 Prisoners for
1 MIN READ

Myanmar Releases 5,000 Prisoners for New Year Celebrations

Macron Hosts Key Talks in
2 MIN READ

Macron Hosts Key Talks in Paris on Ukraine's Future with Global Leaders

Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill
1 MIN READ

Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill 37, Including Entire Family

Colombia Declares Emergency as Yellow
1 MIN READ

Colombia Declares Emergency as Yellow Fever Outbreak Spreads

Trump Threatens Harvard's Foreign Student
1 MIN READ

Trump Threatens Harvard's Foreign Student Program Over Document Dispute