Griselda Blanco’s Friend Carmen Explained

The Netflix series Griselda delves into the life of Griselda Blanco, but includes numerous characters inspired by real individuals from Blanco’s era in the cocaine trade.  However, Griselda’s friend, Carmen Gutiérrez, as portrayed by Vanessa Ferlito, did not actually exist in real-life. This begs the question of why she was included in the series. Although the character of Carmen Gutiérrez is a fictional character, she is actually inspired by multiple real-life figures from Blanco’s drug ring in the late 70s. The most evident of these inspirations is Carmen Caban.

Who is Carmen in Griselda?

In the very first episode of Griselda, viewers meet Carmen Guttierez, Griselda’s closest companion. When Griselda relocates to Miami with her children, Carmen welcomes them into her home. Initially unaware of Griselda’s dark deeds, Carmen becomes suspicious when she learns that Griselda had murdered her husband so she could seize control of his drug empire. However, as the series progresses, Carmen gradually changes her mind about Griselda, and eventually joins her friend’s operation. 

Carmen’s speciality was in working with a network of sex workers she knew from Colombia who were willing to smuggle drugs in their bras. At first, she is fiercely loyal and protective of Griselda. However, as Griselda’s murderous outbursts increase in frequency and she gets fearful, Carmen decides to turn. Not only had Griselda revealed her coldblooded side again by ordering the assassination of Chucho, one of her right-hand men, she also attacked Carmen, accusing her of being a mole. Carmen subsequently decides to align herself with the DEA and discloses all she knows about the business to the authorities. The climactic scene of episode five shows Carmen bravely stepping into the police precinct, ready to cooperate with the detectives and expose her once-cherished friend’s secrets.

Who was the real Carmen Caban?

The real-life version of Griselda episode 5 took place in Apr. 1975. When the case hit the courts, Griselda Blanco, along with several others, got slapped with multiple drug-related charges at the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Judge John Cannella was in charge of the case. By January 1976, 12 of the individuals named had been arrested and convicted, with two others admitting guilt.

Griselda Blanco was arrested in her California home in Feb. 1984. For Blanco’s trial, the prosecution relied heavily on the testimony of none other than Carmen Caban. Caban provided detailed accounts of the string of cocaine-importing operations between 1972 and 1975, as well as the indicted’s plans to expand across the U.S.A. Following the trial, the jury appended a guilty verdict on one count of conspiracy to manufacture, import and distribute cocaine in the United States. Griselda Blanco was subsequently fined $25,000 and sentenced to prison.