Narco-Culture and the Colombian Drug War Sources

To investigate the relationship between the history of drug violence and cartels in Colombia and
the peculiar standard of beauty in the current Colombian culture.

The guardian article “Narcoaeshetics in Colombia” photography by Manuela Henao:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2015/apr/23/teen-liposuction-busty-
pinatas-narcoaesthetics-in-colombia-in-pictures

Estefania and Tatiana, 18 and 19, Medellín. Estefania: ‘I had my liposuction when I was
15, then breast implants at 18. I can’t even remember when I started to want to change
my body; I have always had that desire. When I was very little I remember saying to my
mum that one day I will have breast implants. It’s about time to have another
liposuction. I would also like to have my bum done, and probably a face job.’

Tatiana: ‘I had a liposuction when I was 16 and breast implants a month ago. My desire
to have plastic surgery built up when I started going out. I remember seeing voluptuous
women in clubs and anxiously comparing myself to them. I used to feel so insecure
about my body. The majority of my friends feel the same, and almost all of them are
willing to have at least one plastic surgery.’

In Medellín, it is common to see mannequins with extra large breasts and bottom

 Katerine Herrera, 28, a pole dancer

in Medellín. ‘I was studying
cosmetology, but then my husband
had an accident and I started
working at the club to pay for his
treatment and look after my son.
I’ve had multiple operations: breast
implants, tummy tuck, liposuction,
butt implants and a nose job. I’ve
spent 30m pesos (£10,000) on
them. I spend about 1m pesos
(£300) on beauty treatments every
month. Surgery has hugely
boosted my self-esteem and, of
course, the money I make dancing
in the club.’

Alejandra Ramirez, 23, model and

diet pill seller, Medellín ‘I started
saving for surgery at 18 – most of
my friends had already had it by
then. I was frustrated I didn’t look
as pretty as them. Now, I’ve had
breast implants for 4.5m pesos
(£1000), two nose jobs for 7m
pesos (£1900), liposuction at 5m
pesos (£1300), and bio-polymers in
my butt. I need to remove them
because the doctor had no qualifications. I knew the risks, but I really wanted to have
my butt done. A friend was rushed into surgery recently because she got black spots
and blood clots under the skin. She was in a lot of pain.