Jhon Jairo Velásquez, also known as "Popeye", was born on April 15, 1962, in the town of Yarumal, Antioquia, Colombia. Growing up in a small town, he experienced a tumultuous childhood filled with poverty and violence. Despite these challenges, he showed a knack for military training and discipline from a young age.
Velásquez first entered the Colombian National Army, where he honed his skills as a soldier. However, his thirst for adventure and excitement led him to leave the army and join the school of apprentices for the Colombian Navy. It was during this time that he first crossed paths with members of the Medellin Cartel, a powerful drug trafficking organization led by the notorious Pablo Escobar.
Velásquez quickly rose through the ranks of the Medellin Cartel, becoming one of their most trusted hitmen. His reputation for extreme violence and loyalty to Pablo Escobar earned him the nickname "Popeye". Over the course of his criminal career, he admitted to carrying out more than 250 killings and numerous kidnappings on behalf of the cartel.
In 2014, after serving a 23-year prison sentence in Colombia, Velásquez was released on probation. Despite his violent past, he sought redemption through activism, using his YouTube channel to voice his opinions on Colombian political issues. His channel quickly gained popularity, attracting over 1.2 million subscribers.
Although Jhon Jairo Velásquez's criminal past will always be a part of his legacy, he has also become a symbol of transformation and redemption. His journey from a small-town boy to a notorious hitman to a YouTube activist is a testament to the complexity of human nature and the power of second chances.
Velásquez's story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of getting involved in organized crime, but also as a reminder that it is never too late to turn your life around and make a positive impact on the world.