Griselda Blanco: The Notorious "Black Widow" of Florida's Cocaine Trade

Griselda Blanco, also known as the "Black Widow" or "Godmother" of cocaine, was a notorious drug lord who played a crucial role in the drug trade in Florida during the 1970s and 1980s. She was born on February 15, 1943, in Cartagena, Colombia, and grew up in poverty. At a young age, she joined a group of street children and committed a series of robberies.

In the 1970s, Blanco moved to Miami, where she began her bloody ascent in the drug world. She was known for her cruelty and violence, which propelled her to the top of the drug trade in Florida. She was also notorious for her excessive drug abuse, which often clouded her perception of reality.

Blanco had a close connection to Pablo Escobar, another infamous drug lord. Both were involved in the drug trade during the 1970s and 1980s, and it is believed that Blanco may have even worked for Escobar at one point. However, their relationship was complicated and fraught with conflicts, particularly after Blanco allegedly ordered the killing of one of Escobar's men.

The drug trade in Florida during this time was particularly brutal and violent. Blanco was known for ordering murders and violent acts to maintain her control over the drug market. The murder of Colombian Germán Jiménez Panesso and his bodyguard marked the beginning of an especially bloody phase in the drug war in Florida.

Blanco spent 20 of her 69 years in US prisons and was deported to Colombia after serving her sentence. Three of her four sons, who were deported to Colombia before her, were shot and killed within days of their arrival. Blanco herself was shot dead on September 3, 2012, in Medellín, Colombia.

The story of Griselda Blanco is a dark chapter in the history of the drug trade in Florida. Her cruelty and violence have left a deep impression, making her one of the most notorious figures in the world of drug trafficking.