18 characters in Griselda based on real people

Netflix has finally released the crime drama series Griselda, a fictionalized dramatization following the rise and fall of infamous Colombian drug trader, Griselda Blanco, also known as the "Cocaine Godmother."

Over six hour-long episodes, viewers watch Griselda's journey from beginning to end. 4x Emmy-nominated actress Sofía Vergara stars in the leading role of Griselda Blanco. But the Griselda character isn't the only character in the series based on a real person.

Many of the other characters in Griselda are actually based on real-life people who were involved with Griselda Blanco and the drug trade back in the 1970s and 1980s. Find out who those characters are below!

Spoilers from Griselda on Netflix ahead!

Dario

Dario from the show is based on the real-life Dario Sepúlveda, who was Griselda Blanco's third husband. He was a hired killer and drug trafficker whom Griselda married in 1978. They had a son that same year, Michael Corleone Blanco, named after the character of the same name from The Godfather. However, their marriage didn't last long because of Griselda's jealous tendencies, excessive drug use, and violent behavior. According to VICE, Griselda had eight strippers killed because she suspected them of sleeping with her husband. Eventually, Dario was done putting up with Griselda's ways, and the custody battle over their son got nasty.

In 1983, Dario packed his bags and took Michael with him back to Colombia. But once Griselda caught wind of this happening, she had put out a hit to have him killed. It is believed that 5-year-old Michael at the time was with his dad when he was murdered.

Rivi

Rivi from the crime drama series is based on the real-life Colombian-American criminal Jorge "Rivi" Ayala-Rivera. Like the Rivi in the show, the real Rivi worked as a ruthless hitman for Griselda Blanco and later testified against her. He is believed to have been responsible for the slayings of 30+ people throughout the Miami drug war but was only convicted of three murders in 1993. He was ultimately sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. He has tried several times to get his sentence reduced but with no luck. As of January 2024, Rivi is still alive and in prison.

Alberto Bravo

The Alberto Bravo character from the show is based on the real-life Alberto Bravo, who was a drug trafficker and Griselda Blanco's second husband. He introduced Griselda to the cocaine-based drug trade. Together, the two built a successful and highly profitable drug trafficking operation in New York. But in 1975, Griselda and Alberto had to flee New York and return back to Colombia because authorities were preparing to arrest her. That same year, Griselda suspected that Alberto was stealing millions from the business, so she engaged in a shoot-out with him that resulted in his death.

Marta Ochoa

UPDATE: 01/26/24 - We initially put that Marta Ochoa from Griselda was based on the real-life Marta Nieves Ochoa Vasquez, the sister of Fabio, Jorge, and Juan David Ochoa Vasquez, who were some of the founding members of the Medellín Cartel. But this isn't true. The Marta character is actually believed to have been based on the Ochoa brothers' niece or cousin, Marta Saldarriaga Ochoa. In 1984, Griselda had Marta killed because she didn't want to pay for a cocaine shipment that was delivered by her. Marta's killing basically put a target on Griselda's back.

Fabio Ochoa

The Fabio Ochoa character from Griselda is based on the real-life Fabio Ochoa Vasquez, one of the founding members of the notorious Medellín cocaine trafficking cartel. After turning himself in to the Colombian authorities in 1991, Fabio served a brief prison sentence. But then he was arrested again in 1999 and was eventually extradited to the US, where he's currently serving a 30-year term in a U.S. federal prison.

In 2020, Fabio petitioned for an early release from prison. He was seeking a cut in his 30-year sentence by five years. But now that it's 2024, and no news about his sentence being reduced has been announced, it doesn't look like his request was granted. However, once Fabio is released from prison, he'll be deported back to Colombia.

Papo Mejia

Papo Mejia from the crime drama series is based on the real-life Papo Mejia, a rival drug trafficker of Griselda Blanco. Their rivalry got so bad that Griselda had Papo's father and many of his crew members killed. She even tried to have Papo killed while he was at the Miami International Airport in 1982. She had one of her most ruthless killers, Miguel “Miguelito” Perez, stab Papo at least 10 times with a WWII bayonet in broad daylight at the airport. Papo ended up surviving the attack, though.

Miguelito

The Miguelito character is based on the real-life Miguel “Miguelito” Perez, who arrived in the U.S. during the Mariel boatlift. He became one of Griselda's hitmen and is known for being responsible for the assassination attempt of Papo Mejia at the Miami International Airport.

German Panesso

Panesso from Griselda is based on the real-life German Jimenez Panesso, a Colombian drug lord who was killed in a daytime shootout at the Crown Liquors store in Dadeland Mall in July 1979. The murder had been ordered by Griselda Blanco.

Chucho

Chucho from the show is based on the real-life Jesus “Chucho” Castro, one of Griselda's former top hitmen. In 1982, Griselda ordered Rivi and Miguelito to kill Chucho after he had declined to help one of her sons. On a Sunday afternoon in 1982, Chucho was driving in the car with his 2-year-old son Johnny when he came to a stop at a red light. Suddenly, a van pulled up next to their vehicle, and people inside began shooting at them. While the bullets missed Chucho, Johnny was shot twice in the head, ultimately killing him. Rivi was later charged with Johnny's murder in 1988.

Rafa Salazar

Rafa Salazar is based on the real-life Rafael Cardona Salazar, who was a high-ranking member of the Medellín Cartel. He participated in the slaying of drug informant Barry Seal in 1986 and was later shot to death at his dealership in Envigado, Colombia in 1987.

Raul Diaz

Diaz from the crime drama series is based on the real-life Raul Diaz, a former Dade County homicide detective. Like in the show, the real Raul Diaz led a Central Tactical Unit (CENTAC-26) that focused on targeting drug traffickers. He also helped bring down Griselda Blanco.

Dixon, Uber, Ozzy, and Michael

Dixon, Uber, and Osvaldo "Ozzy" are all based on the real-life people of the same names. They were Griselda Blanco's oldest sons, who according to Biography, were killed. Michael Corleone Blanco from the crime drama series is based on Griselda's youngest son of the same name. In 2012, Michael was placed under house arrest for two felony counts of cocaine trafficking and conspiracy to traffic in cocaine. His probation ended in 2018. He is currently suing Netflix and Sofía Vergara in an attempt to stop Griselda's release. He has also written a book about his mother that will be released soon.

Amilcar

Amilcar is believed to be based on the real-life Rafael 'Amilcar' Rodriguez, a Venezuelan major cocaine smuggler and hitman. He has been described in the past as a "one-man terror squad." Like the Amilcar in the show, the real Amilcar was the son of a Venezuelan policeman. It's unknown if he's still alive today, though.

Check out this video of the real Amilcar from his arrest in 1981.

Here are the names of two other characters from Griselda that are based on real people:

• Max Mermelstein - Max is based on the real-life drug trafficker turned informant of the same name. He died in 2008 from cancer.
• John Roberts - The John character is based on the real-life Jon Roberts, a former drug smuggler for the Medellín Cartel who later becomes an informant. He died of colorectal cancer in 2011.

All six episodes of Griselda are streaming now only on Netflix.