Pablo Escobar was infamous for his brutality in the drug world, but there was someone even more strategic and calculating — Don Berna. This mysterious figure, whose real name is Diego Murillo Bejarano, rose to power after Escobar’s fall and became one of Colombia’s most powerful crime lords. Let’s explore Don Berna’s intriguing story and how he cleverly ascended to the top of the Medellín Cartel.
Don Berna’s Entry Into Organized Crime
Born Diego Fernando Murillo Bejarano in Tulua, Colombia, Don Berna had a troubled past. He started as a member of the leftist militant group Ejército Popular de Liberación (EPL) but eventually abandoned communism. While Escobar ruled as the “King of Cocaine,” Berna was working for a businessman named Fernando Galeano, who had close ties to the cartel.
Los Pepes Seek Vengeance
As Escobar’s power grew, tensions rose between Galeano’s group and Escobar. Escobar suspected Galeano and his associate, Gerardo Moncada, of stealing from him and increased his monthly cut. Galeano and Moncada were summoned to Escobar’s prison, La Catedral, where they were killed. Don Berna escaped and allied with the Castaño brothers. Together, they formed a vigilante group called Los Pepes (People Persecuted by Pablo Escobar). Through Los Pepes, Berna gradually filled the power vacuum left by Escobar, gaining control over the Colombian drug market.
Don Berna Takes Power
By forming alliances and consolidating smaller criminal groups, Don Berna strengthened his control over the underworld. He led a group of hitmen called La Terraza and took charge of Oficina de Envigado, a group of sicarios from Escobar’s time. Berna transformed Oficina de Envigado into a well-organized criminal organization that regulated Medellín’s underworld.
Diego Murillo Bejarano’s Downfall
By 2004, Don Berna had total control over Medellín’s criminal activities. He built an empire through extortion, assassinations, private security, and drug trafficking. However, his reign ended in 2008 when he was arrested and extradited to the United States on drug trafficking charges, receiving a 31-year prison sentence. Despite Don Berna’s downfall, his impact on the criminal world remains significant. His rise to power, strategic alliances, and control over criminal activities showed a different approach compared to Escobar’s violent opposition to the state. Don Berna’s story highlights the complexities of the drug trade and the people who navigate this dangerous world.