‘Narcos: Mexico’ Season 3 Ending Explained: Who Died in the Series Finale?

Narcos fans might find themselves scratching their heads after the season 3 finale. Although Narcos: Mexico Season 3 marks the end of the Netflix series, the final episode left viewers with more questions than answers. Are you wondering who died or survived the cartel war? Well, look no further. Here is everything you need to know about Narcos: Mexico Season 3 finale.

[Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers from Narcos: Mexico Season 3]

Did Amado Carrillo Fuentes die in the ‘Narcos: Mexico’ Season 3 finale?

Before the mid-credit scene, Marta (Yessica Borroto Perryman) walks into the house Amado gave her. There are two wine glasses positioned on the piano and a toy airplane Amado gave his late daughter. Narcos: Mexico fans speculated the scene hinted at Amado being alive and reuniting with Marta. 

In addition, the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death suggest Amado escaped the authorities. In July 1997, the Mexican drug lord died after undergoing extensive surgery to change his appearance. After the police confirmed his identity, Amando’s body supposedly vanished. 

Later on, the doctors involved in the surgery mysteriously died. Some fans speculate Amando’s associates killed the doctors to cover his tracks. Or, it could have been an act of revenge. Either way, the circumstances surrounding Amado’s death remain under speculation. In an interview with Decider, Narcos: Mexico showrunner Carlo Bernard explained why they chose to keep his story open-ended.

“I wanted to play the moment, the reveal of his death, as a shock, knowing there was so much story to unfold in that final episode,” he explained. “It’s true, as we allude to in one of the scenes, that the doctors who performed the surgery turned up dead, murdered weeks later.”

Bernard continued, “So there was always an aspect of mystery and shadow to it. It was a combination of wanting it to land when people learn that Amado – who I think that people like – died, but also want to leave some of that wiggle room and mystery about the details of what went on in the operating room.”

Is Ramón Arellano dead?

In Narcos: Mexico Season 3 Episode 10, the Tijuana cartel leader, Ramón Arellano Félix (Manuel Masalva), tried to assassinate the leader of the Sinaloa cartel. Before he could execute the plan, he was murdered by members of the Sinaloa cartel. The head himself, El Mayo, personally called Ramón’s sister Enedina (Mayra Hermosillo) to tell her the news. The series ends with the head of the Tijuana cartel dead and a brewing war with Sinaloa.

Did Victor Tapia die in ‘Narcos: Mexico’ Season 3?

Toward the end of the season, police officer Victor Tapia (Luis Gerardo Méndez) eventually found the serial killer and killed him. However, the happiness is short-lived. The following day, the police department found a ditch filled with the bodies of a dozen missing women. Then, Victor realized the killer was still at large. Unfortunately, things only get worse for the police officer. To find the serial killer, Victor becomes a DEA informant. In the end, the cartel figured out Victor was an informant and killed him. 

Narcos: Mexico Season 3 is streaming now on Netflix.