Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Get ready, all of my crime drama-loving friends. Season 3 of Narcos is right around the corner, and if the show’s history and trailer is any indication, this upcoming season is going to be a cocaine-fueled thrill ride. Fittingly, Netflix’s international crime drama about Pablo Escobar and the rise of drug empires is one of the most addicting watches on television. Both Netflix and I know that September 1 is a long time to wait for new Narcos episodes, and we have your back. If you haven’t pressed play yet, you need to check out Surviving Escobar — Alias JJ.
Surviving Escobar tells the story of Pablo Escobar’s favorite hitman and right-hand man, John Jairo Velásquez. Before he turned himself over to the authorities, Velásquez assassinated hundreds of people and assisted in killing hundreds more. Juan Pablo Urrego portrays the controversial figure in the Caracol Televisión and Netflix original series. However, there’s a character that steals the spotlight in every scene she’s in — Alexandra Restrepo de Velásquez. Who is this character? Is she based on a real person? And who is the talented actress who portrays her? Here’s your guide on everything about Nicole Santamaria.
Who is Alexandra Restrepo de Velásquez?
Nicole Santamaria plays Alexandra, John Jairo Velásquez’s longtime girlfriend and eventual wife. If anyone can be a sympathetic character in this drama about one of the most deadly hitmen in modern history, it’s her.
Surviving Escobar starts with J.J. being given an ultimatum. Either he has to murder the woman he loves or agree to jail time. He obediently goes into the slammer, confident that he will be surrounded by friends and allies who will party with him until his time is up. Unfortunately for J.J. but fortunately for the rest of the world, while he’s in jail, Pablo Escobar is killed. That’s how Pablo Escobar’s righthand man finds himself stuck behind bars with violent criminals who hate everything about him.
Is Alexandra Restrepo de Velásquez based on a real person?
Sort of. Whereas the fictional Alexandra only has to worry about committing small crimes for her imprisoned husband and deciding what to do with her testimony, John Jairo Velásquez’s real girlfriend saw a far more gruesome fate.
According to Velásquez, he had his current mistress and ex-girlfriend of Pablo Escobar killed. Escobar ordered for Wendy Chavarriga to be murdered after it was revealed she was working as an informant for a rival gang. Velásquez set up a date with Chavarriga and sent in some men who were working for him to carry out the job. In an interview with The Telegraph, Velásquez said that he doesn’t regret any of the deaths he carried out, but he wishes he could apologize to her. Chavarriga is likely the woman and former love interest that Surviving Escobar‘s Alexandra is based off on.
Where have I seen Nicole Santamaria before?
Unless you’re a huge fan of Colombian TV, you probably haven’t seen her anywhere. Santamaria is likely best known for starring in the prostitution ring drama La Promesa, in which she plays Seleni Aristizábal. The dynamic actress has also been in Jeugo Iimpio and Detective Marañón.
