The city of Medellín, Colombia, is frequently lauded as one of the most innovative and tourist-friendly cities in the world.
But 30 years ago, the city was the world’s cocaine capital, ravaged by the cartel war led by Pablo Escobar.
Here, National Public Radio‘s Latino USA program travels to Medellín to hear how the city’s violent and narcotic history changed the lives of one family and how Medellín went from being one of the most dangerous places in the world to the “model city” it is today.
This story originally aired in June of 2018.
Photo of Medellin’s successful cable car system connecting remote neighborhoods is by Quinn Kampschroer from Pixabay