Pablo Escobar's hitman 'Popeye' says he was robbed at gunpoint in Medellín

MEDELLíN, Colombia, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Jhon "Popeye" Jairo Velásquez, who confessed to killing 300 people while working for Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, said he was robbed at gunpoint in Medellín.

Velásquez said two men on motorcycles pulled up beside him on Monday while he drove his truck, pointed guns at him and robbed him of gold, Cartier glasses and his cellphone in Medellín's El Poblado neighborhood.

Velásquez, who said he was partly responsible in up to 3,000 killings for Escobar's Medellín Cartel, was sentenced to 23 years in prison for his confessed crimes and conditionally released in 2014.

After his release, Velásquez has focused his efforts on political activism. He calls himself a "defender of human rights."

On Twitter, Velásquez said he was also assaulted three months ago -- also by people on motorcycles. He said he injured two robbers who were on a motorcycle and caused them personal injuries, which is "illegal. That's why I do not do it anymore."

Velásquez said the city is "taken by thieves" though Medellín has come out of the "great violence" seen during the 1980s and 1990s. He criticized Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez for the lack of security.

"It is a new city. There is no such brutal violence. Only there is no mayor. We're alone," Velásquez said.

Gutiérrez replied, suggesting Velásquez should "answer to justice" for threatening citizens on public roads.

"It is disconcerting that someone who did so much damage today gives lessons in morality. We fought the illegality he helped build," Gutiérrez said. "We do not build when we exalt those who have hurt Medellín. My commitment against crime is proven and continuous."