Which actor played José 'Chepe' Santacruz Londoño in Narcos?

Pêpê Rapazote played José “Chepe” Santacruz Londoño in Narcos.

Rapazote is a Portuguese actor who joined the series during its third season, when the story shifted from Pablo Escobar’s Medellín Cartel to the Cali Cartel. In the drama, Santacruz is portrayed as a senior Cali figure overseeing the cartel’s operations in New York City.

The character is based on the real José Santacruz Londoño, also known as El Chepe. He was one of the Cali Cartel’s leading figures alongside Gilberto and Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela and Hélmer Herrera. The real Santacruz was involved in the cartel’s operations from its early marijuana-trafficking period through its expansion into cocaine.

A common mix-up is confusing Rapazote with the actors who played other Cali leaders: Damián Alcázar portrayed Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela, Francisco Denis played Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela, and Alberto Ammann played Hélmer “Pacho” Herrera. Rapazote also appeared as Santacruz in Narcos: Mexico.