Anderson's life, once marked by innocence and carefree joy, took an unforeseen and dramatic turn at the tender age of two, when his father, faced with an unimaginable decision, made the heart-wrenching choice to entrust his young son to the care of his paternal grandmother in Medellin, a city affectionately known as the "City of Eternal Spring", where the warm and perpetual sunshine seemed to belie the dark and sinister reality of Pablo Escobar's notorious drug cartel, which had gripped the city in its iron fist, casting a long and ominous shadow over the lives of its residents, including Anderson, who was now to be raised in this troubled and tumultuous environment.
As the years went by, Anderson's youthful spirit began to crave a life of defiance, prompting him to abandon the comfort and security of his childhood home at the tender age of 14, driven by a strong desire to escape the constraints of his mundane existence and immerse himself in the gritty, lawless world of Medellin's notorious crime syndicates.
For those unfortunate souls who found themselves without a safety net, daily survival became a desperate, constant struggle, with every waking moment spent fighting for their very existence. Anderson, too, was forced to confront the harsh realities of his new surroundings, where the struggle for survival was a never-ending battle that demanded every ounce of strength and cunning he possessed.
Within a remarkably brief period of time, Anderson found himself struggling to cope with the stark realities of his new life as a gang member. The harsh conditions and dehumanizing atmosphere of his surroundings began to take a profound toll on his mental and emotional well-being.
As the months went by, Anderson's sense of disillusionment and discontent grew, ultimately leading him to a profound realization that his current path was unsustainable. Two years had passed since he had joined the gang, and yet he had failed to find any sense of purpose or fulfillment in his life.
It was then that Anderson made the courageous and life-changing decision to sever his ties with the gang and embark on a new and more positive path. He chose to leave behind the world of crime and violence, and instead pursue a career as a street vendor. This marked a significant turning point in his life, as he sought to create a more honest and fulfilling existence for himself.
