Jhon Viáfara: Colombian Pride Through Triumph and Adversity

Jhon Viafara is a national treasure of Colombia. He came from meager beginnings in Robles, Colombia to becoming a national hero in the world of soccer when he was responsible for scoring the winning goal in the South American Copa Cup over an Argentine club. He then played in the Premier League and La Liga before returning to Colombia to work with children to learn soccer.

When a friend asked if he could use Jhon's apartment for a meeting, he agreed, and when that friend asked him to pass messages over the phone, he did. As a result, he was indicted in that friend's cocaine conspiracy and was arrested and extradited to Texas. So, the kind soul who carried his crippled sister to school every day on his back when he was a child was put in prison in the US for helping his friend when he should have said no.

Mr. Viafara is back home in Colombia and continues to live an exemplary humble existence. I was just glad I could help him get back home as soon as possible to again contribute to Colombian culture and pride. Sometimes, the United States Government overreaches in order to make an example of a known figure. That is what happened to Jhon Viafara, and people should be aware that any association with known narco traffickers can lead to bad and unintended consequences.