19 pagesThis article explores the resurgence of Pablo Escobar’s legacy through Netflix’s Narcos, examining its intersection with US white racial ideologies and the American Dream narrative. Through the portrayal of Escobar as a morally complex antihero – a powerful yet criminal figure – the series allows US audiences to engage with fantasies of wealth and power that defy moral and legal constraints, while Escobar’s Latin American identity distances white audiences from his criminal actions. By contrasting Escobar’s character with morally righteous DEA agents, particularly Steve Murphy, Narcos reinforces white supremacist ideologies and saviourism, perpetuating stereotypes about Latinx identity and Colombian corruption. Using theoretical frameworks of Orientalism, fetishism, and disavowal, this article argues that Escobar’s dual role as both hero and Other fulfils US desires for antihero narratives without compromising white identity. Additionally, the factors enabling the production of an “authentic” Escobar series – including the global rise of streaming platforms, improved safety in Medellín, and extensive documentation on Escobar’s life – position Narcos as a seminal text in global narco-media. By catering to US cultural aspirations, Narcos epitomises the commodification of Latin American stereotypes, revealing much about contemporary constructions of white identity and escapism
