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This is not to say the Rodriguez brothers never resorted to thuggery. They were plainly behind a hit squad called PEPES (People Persecuted by Pablo Escobar), which killed more than 60 of the rival drug lord's relatives and associates. Traffickers who work for the brothers are required to fill out lengthy personnel forms, enumerating every known relative-a kind of hostage list for the cartel to target or kill if the employee betrays them.
Over the past two years, however, the brothers have shown signs of burnout. They have had little time to enjoy their wealth, and are too cautious to leave Cali. The DEA suspects that Miguel has a blood disorder; Gilberto, after his arrest, asked to have his blood pressure checked. For nearly two years they tried to negotiate a surrender in return for leniency. At this point "they realize they have enough," says a senior DEA official, "so now they want to leave a legacy." Their children are being groomed for lawful pursuits, perhaps even as part of Colombia's next generation of political leaders. But first it remains to be seen if the current generation can get serious -- with Gilberto, and with the new kingpins ready to carry on the ugly business of drugs and corruption.
--Reported by Mary Matheson/Bogota, Elaine Shannon and Douglas Waller/Washington