Rosso José Serrano
Then General of the Colombian National Police, Rosso José Serrano personally escorts arrested Cali Cartel drug lord Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela.
Born
Rosso José Serrano Cadena

(1942-08-30) 30 August 1942
Vélez, Santander
Alma materGeneral Santander Police Cadet School
Known forPoliceman
Police career
DepartmentColombian National Police
Service years1960–2000
RankLieutenant General

Rosso José Serrano Cadena (August 30, 1942) is a former General of the Colombian National Police from 1994 to 2000 during Ernesto Samper's presidency and was one of the masterminds behind the dismantling of the Cali Cartel and Medellín Cartel. Serrano received numerous national and international decorations for his work against illicit drugs, drug-trafficking and the restructuring of the Colombian Police. He is currently working as head of the Colombian diplomatic mission to Austria.

Early years

Born in Vélez, Santander, Serrano joined the Colombian National Police in 1960, attended classes in the "General Santander Police Academy" graduating in Police Administration and also received a doctorate in law and political sciences from La Gran Colombia University.[1]

Public image and recognition

Serrano was described with words like "hero" in international media outlets.[2][3][4] The American Congressman Bob Barr called him a "true hero in the War on Drugs".[5] Serrano was twice chosen as the World's Top Cop by the International Association of Police Chiefs.[3][2]

The Los Angeles Times wrote in 2000:

Serrano’s ability to anticipate change and respond has allowed him to survive four defense ministers and two presidents during his more than five years as police director. That’s impressive for a kid from the little town of Velez who admits that he joined the police at age 17 because he liked the uniform. “Serrano is more than a great policeman,” said Myles Frechette, former U.S. ambassador to Colombia.[6]

Parapolitics Scandal

On May 16, 2007 in a court hearing in Medellín, former paramilitary warlord and commander of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) Salvatore Mancuso declared that the former director in chief of the Colombian National Police and current ambassador of Colombia to Austria Rosso José Serrano had intervened on behalf of the AUC leaders captured in La Guajira Department which included Rodrigo Tovar Pupo (aka "Jorge 40").[7]

  • In TV Series El cartel is portrayed by the colombian actor Germán Quintero as the character of Javier Ibarra.
  • In the American crime thriller drama Narcos he is portrayed by the actor Gaston Velandia.

References

  1. ↑ New Permanent Representative of Colombia Presents Credentials United Nations (13 May 2003)
  2. 1 2 "Colombia's top cop bows out". The Economist. 2000-06-15. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2021-07-10. But he earned respect at home and his drug-fighting efforts made him a hero in the United States, especially to Republicans in Congress, who channelled much aid to his force. He was twice chosen as the world's top cop by the International Association of Police Chiefs.
  3. 1 2 Tribune, Timothy Pratt Special to the. "COLOMBIA'S DRUG FIGHTER 'WORLD'S BEST' COP". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
  4. ↑ "Drug fighter in Colombia is resigning". Deseret News. Associated Press. 2000-06-14. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
  5. ↑ "Congressional Record, Volume 146 Issue 81 (Friday, June 23, 2000)". www.govinfo.gov. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
  6. ↑ "To Colombians, He Is the War on Drugs". Los Angeles Times. 2000-05-03. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
  7. ↑ "Salvatore Mancuso se ratificó en sus acusaciones contra general Rosso José Serrano". El Tiempo. 17 May 2007. Archived from the original on 19 May 2007.
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