Last Updated: May 26, 1999
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When kidnapping gets personal
"News of a Kidnapping," the newest book by Nobel Prize winner Gabriel
Garcia Marquez, is a gripping nonfiction account of the kidnappings of
Francisco "Pacho" Santos and nine other prominent Colombians including
other journalists. Pablo Escobar’s Medellín drug cartel carried
out the kidnappings as part of its successful campaign for a constitutional
ban on extradition. Two victims were killed.
The famous Colombian writer says he spent the past three years writing
the account, yet to be published in English, so others would not forget
this "bestial drama, which unfortunately is only one episode in the biblical
holocaust in which Colombia has consumed itself the past twenty years."
Here’s an example of the writing. It’s a reconstructed account of a
phone call to Italy awakening the victim’s father, Hernando Santos. He
is El Tiempo’s 68-year-old editor-in-chief.
"I have very bad news," (the caller) said.
Hernando, of course, imagined the worst but kept his composure.
"What happened?"
"They kidnapped Pacho."
News of a kidnapping, as hard as it may be, is not final like word of
an assassination, and Hernando let out a deep breath. "Thank God!" he said,
and immediately changed his tone:
"Settle down. Let’s see what we can do."
— Edward Seaton
