Relatives of many of his victims angrily protested Velasquez 's release , saying that 22 years in prison was not punishment enough for the countless atrocities he committed during the narcoterrorism era and cocaine turf wars of the '80s and '90s . John Jairo Velasquez was the top hit man for Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar in the ' 80s . He says he killed about 300 people , masterminded about 3,000 other deaths . Velasquez served 10 years in prison for the assassination of presidential candidate . Some victims ' relatives demanded his release , but others have forgiven him .
John Jairo Velasquez was the top hit man for Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar in the ' 80s . He says he killed about 300 people , masterminded about 3,000 other deaths . Velasquez served 10 years in prison for the assassination of presidential candidate . Some victims ' relatives demanded his release , but others have forgiven him .