[imagesource: Twitter / @radio580nic]

Juan Larinson Castro Estupiñán, better known as ‘Matamba’, is considered the second-most powerful drug trafficker in Colombia.

He’s behind only Dairo Antonio Usuga David, or ‘Otoniel’, who was arrested in a massive military operation late last year.

With the top two dogs locked up, Colombia would argue that it’s making progress in the war against drugs.

Matamba’s escape from jail last week will dent that claim and it also points to the systemic corruption that hinders efforts to reign in the powerful cartels.

He was about to be extradited to the US to face drug trafficking charges, but waltzed out of the front door of a maximum-security prison in Bogota on March 18.

That marks the end of his stay in La Picota jail after being sent there last May, reports VICE:

A video from the prison’s security cameras which was shared on Twitter shows Matamba’s escape.

During the first few seconds an open gate is seen without any guards around. Subtitles added to the video say “Inspector Jiménez left for a few minutes and came back in through that gate, and left it unlocked.”

The next scene shows a man who authorities identify as Matamba dressed as a prison guard walking across the main hallway. After having a quick look around, he leaves through the main door.

It really is as simple as that.

A few looks left and right and out he goes:

Así fue la fuga de alias “matamba” de la cárcel Picota de Bogotá. pic.twitter.com/x0X54jCwyy

— Viva Las Noticias Cali (@vivalasnoticias) March 20, 2022

At least Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán pulled off dramatic escapes. This is poor from a powerful drug lord.

Matamba is believed to be the main connection in Colombia for the Mexican Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG for its Spanish acronym), which recently carried out a public execution in the state of Michoacán.

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that he had help from the inside:

Following Matamba’s escape, authorities arrested the head of Colombia’s penitentiary system for “leaving the door open from where Matamba escaped using clothes exclusive to prison guards.”

…Yesterday, Colombian authorities announced a reward for information leading to Matamba’s arrest, set at around $500,000, and put out an Interpol alert for him to be captured anywhere in the world.

With Otoniel still behind bars, Matamba’s escape could signify a massive shift in Colombia’s criminal hierarchy.

Sadly for the residents of Colombia, this usually means bloodshed and cartel warfare.

[source:vice]