Juliana Lopez, a stunning footballer who also planned on taking part in Miss World, has opened up about her cocaine hell prison sentence in a heartbreaking letter
A stunning footballer who planned on taking part in Miss World but was banged up in a cocaine hell has sent her mum a heartbreaking letter.
Juliana Lopez appeared to have the world at her feet; she was a regional Miss World contestant, and she hosted a popular TV show and was a well-known footballer after turning out for Divas del Futbol in her native Colombia.
Before her prison sentence, Juliana had won the Miss Antioquia beauty pageant and was planning on taking part in the Miss World Medellin competition.
But the then-21-year-old was busted with 610g of cocaine hidden in a computer she was taking through Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in China in 2015.
After fears she could face the death penalty in the country, which has a zero-tolerance drug policy, Juliana ended up receiving a prison sentence of 15 years.
Now 31, she was imprisoned far from her family and her homeland. Her ex-boyfriend, Juan Esteban Marín, was also jailed, as reported by NeedToKnow.
A letter that she wrote to her mother from behind bars was released this week. In the correspondence, she wrote: “My love, my mother, I miss you like nothing else in the world.
“Here, the people are amazed [by her case] and tell me I have many people who love me. For better or worse, so many people are still interested in us, but I see it as a blessing from God.”
Juliana, who dedicated herself to work and study while behind bars, added: “The situation here is increasingly stressful, a lot of work pressure. Now we have exams every month, so there is also pressure from studying.”
Juliana could be released on parole early next year for good behaviour. If so, she would have four years cut from her sentence. She has already hinted that she wouldn’t return to Colombia as she would fear for her life.
At the time of her sentencing, her mother, Nubia Sarrazola, took the huge step of moving from Colombia to China to be near her daughter. After leaving everything behind, Nubia needed some time to settle down and find a job.
She soon started renting her own apartment close to her daughter’s prison. She uses her income to cover her expenses and pay a monthly allowance to Juliana.
Despite her huge sacrifice, Nubia can only visit her once a month for half an hour, which extends to an hour if Juliana earns enough points for good behaviour and work performance.
Juliana’s arrest 10 years ago caused a stir in Colombia due to her young age, promising a career in modelling and sports. Her case highlighted the risks of international drug trafficking networks, which often recruit young people under threat.
At least 50 Colombian citizens are currently detained in China on drug-related charges.
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