Let's clear this up: Netflix's newest biopic, Griselda, is not a completely accurate re-telling of Griselda Blanco's tale. In fact, it leaves out some of the most important details, particularly the death of Chucho Castro's son.
Because of this, some are comparing the show with Cocaine Cowboys, which had a better depiction of the kind of evil Blanco was. In this explainer guide, let's talk about Chucho Castro and his son, Johnny.
Who Was Chuchu Castro?
For a considerable period of time, Jesus "Chucho" Castro worked as Griselda Blanco's enforcer. Unlike everyone who worked for the Godmother, Castro did not worship the ground she walked on.
While this was happening, Blanco had already been convinced there was a mole in her gang. The hit list did not only contain people she believed were betraying her but also those who wronged her or even questioned her authority.
When Blanco started her paranoia and killing spree, Chucho decided to leave. It also didn't help that Chucho turned down helping one of Blanco's sons.
Retired West Miami Police Chief, Nelson Andreu told CBS News: “Jesus turned him away. He said ‘I’ve separated. I’ve cut ties with you and your mom and you are not welcome here.’ Well, that was offensive to Griselda.”
How Did Chucho Castro's Son Die?
While the accounts of how Castro ended up on Blanco's hitlist are unclear, the assassination order was confirmed. Blanco ordered Ayala to kill Castro.
On February 7, 1982, Blanco's loyal hitman followed Castro's Cadillac on South Dixie Highway and 168th Street. When he had a chance, Ayala pulled out a Mac 10 machine pistol to shoot Castro.
Castro, in a hurry, slid beneath the steering wheel and stomped on the pedal to escape. Unfortunately, this led the bullets to hit Castro's two-year-old son, Johhny, who was in the back seat.
The Netflix biopic made it look like Blanco had shown remorse over this. In reality, things didn't go this way.
When Blanco learned that Ayala had missed, she was enraged. But once she knew that Castro's son was killed in the process, she was allegedly pleased that they were even and that Johnny's death would "upset the father."
A 1989 report from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel showed that the incident left Castro devastated. He walked around Miami carrying his dead son for the next couple of days. He later placed Johnny's lifeless body in front of a Catholic Church.
Castro also disappeared for some time as he planned his revenge against his former employer. An archive article from The New York Times showed how police urged Castro to talk with them.
But he said that he was already marked for dead and planned to "take a few of them with me."
After the death of Johnny, Blanco's men started turning against her. Some even became state witnesses so they could avoid the death penalty or shorten their sentences.
Some sources (via DMTalkies) reveal that Castro followed the lead and testified against Ayala and Blanco. His testimony was what charged Ayala with Johnny's murder in 1988. Blanco also faced conviction for his attempted murder.
There's no further report on what happened to Chucho Castro after this.
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