In 1968, 25-year-old Francisco Antonio Garcia Lopez butchered his mistress in a jealous rage. He escaped from prison two years later. This began a collective terror that gripped Puerto Rico for nearly 30 years.
Today, we dive into the story of Toño Bicicleta, a poor farmer (jibaro), and one of Puerto Rico's most notorious murderers. His life and criminal career were convoluted, full of prison escapes and horrible crimes that in some cases he didn't even commit. His short life still provokes heated discussions about misogyny, machismo culture, mental health, crime, corruption, and colonialism.
En 1968, Francisco Antonio García López, de 25 años, asesinó a su amante en un ataque de celos. Escapó de prisión dos años después. Esto comenzó un terror colectivo que se apoderó de Puerto Rico durante casi 30 años.
Hoy nos sumergimos en la historia de Toño Bicicleta, un granjero pobre (jíbaro) y uno de los asesinos más notorios de Puerto Rico. Su vida y su carrera criminal fueron enrevesadas, llenas de fugas de prisión y crímenes horribles que en algunos casos ni siquiera cometió. Su corta vida aún provoca discusiones acaloradas sobre la misoginia, la cultura machista, la salud mental, el crimen, la corrupción y el colonialismo.
Acknowledgements:
Un millón de gracias a Toñito, el hijo de Toño Bicicleta, por hablar con nosotras y completar algunos de los detalles.
Special thanks to our brother, Santos, for composing our intro and outro music, “Mi Encanto Nuevo” and “Jibaroton”! Check out his music here:
https://www.reverbnation.com/santoscornier?fbclid=IwAR1_flS4Dy8i9t6JFhrCkzW220URLKJMVPfndmi0wl7idlA82ECx6Q-wW2Q
Around minute 59:40, the girl mentioned as another kidnapping victim in 1990 - we later found out is Eyveliz Rivera Cortes. / Al rededor de minuto 59:40, la muchacha mencionada como otra víctima de secuestro en 1990 -luego supimos era Eyveliz Rivera Cortés.
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Email: nancylynnpinto@gmail.com
Main sources:
El Forajido: The Cautionary Tale of Toño Bicicleta - Documentary by Michael R. Mazur: https://vimeo.com/242411561
https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/puerto-rico/notas/sin-precio-pisto
CONNECT WITH US!
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/242722224736098/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082362745798
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boricuamerican_podcast/
Big thanks to Santos Cornier for composing our intro and outro music. Check out his music here: / Muchas gracias a Santos Cornier por componer nuestra música de intro and outro. Escuche su musica aqui:
https://www.reverbnation.com/santoscornier?fbclid=IwAR1_flS4Dy8i9t6JFhrCkzW220URLKJMVPfndmi0wl7idlA82ECx6Q-wW2Q
Thanks also to the following sites for music and sound effects:
https://pixabay.com/users/dmassaiii-42247146/
https://freepd.com/
https://pixabay.com/
https://freesound.org/
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/
