What Colombian crime drama series, based on a true story, depicts the 1994 robbery of the Bank of the Republic in Valledupar, where thieves stole $33 million?

The Colombian crime drama series that brings to life the audacious 1994 robbery of the Bank of the Republic in Valledupar is titled "The Great Heist (Review)," known in Spanish as "El Robo del Siglo" (The Robbery of the Century). This Netflix limited series, released in 2020, dramatizes the real-life event where a group of thieves executed one of the largest cash thefts in Colombia's history, making off with approximately $33 million (or 24 billion Colombian pesos at the time).

The actual heist, which occurred over October 16-17, 1994, involved a meticulously planned operation. A team of around 26 individuals, including corrupt insiders, managed to bypass the central bank's security by posing as HVAC repairmen during a holiday weekend. They spent over 18 hours inside the bank, using specialized welding equipment to breach the vault and collect the vast sum of money. The series captures the intricate details of their planning, the tense execution, and the subsequent efforts to escape with the enormous haul, which was reportedly transported out of the city in beer trucks.

The aftermath of the real robbery was as dramatic as the heist itself. The Bank of the Republic quickly invalidated the stolen banknotes by publicizing their serial numbers, rendering the money essentially worthless and causing significant economic disruption in the region as these "vallenato bills" circulated. While the series takes some creative liberties for dramatic effect, it remains a compelling and educational look into a historical crime that exposed vulnerabilities in banking security and captivated a nation. It highlights themes of desperation and ingenuity against the backdrop of 1990s Colombia.