‘Narcos: Mexico' Actor Manuel Masalva In Medically Induced Coma After Being Infected With 'Very Aggressive Bacteria'
Jaime Jaramillo Espinosa, the CEO of Mexican management agency JIM Management and Masalva's manager, first relayed the news to the Los Angeles Times, which reported that Masalva is currently hospitalized in Dubai.
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In late March, Masalva underwent emergency surgery after doctors uncovered the bacterial infection, which had then reached his lungs. Per Espinosa, he is on antibiotics and his lungs are shown to have responded to the treatment.
Fellow Mexican performer and close friend Mario Morán posted a video on Instagram prior to the weekend asking for donations to the family's GoFundMe, given the international costs associated with Masalva's hospitalization outside of his home country.
'My brother is fighting for his life far from home. I want to ask for your help in this very difficult moment,' Morán said in Spanish. 'As was announced yesterday, Manuel Masalva — who is one of my best friends, who is really like a brother to me — fell victim to a very aggressive bacteria while he was on vacation. And this led to him being in an induced coma, and until now his situation continues to be delicate. The medical costs are enormous and in a country where everything is even more difficult. Any help, no matter how small it may seem, can make a difference in this difficult moment. If you are able to contribute, we will express our heart-filled gratitude.'
In a more recent post, he thanked those who had donated, sent messages and spread the message to garner support. He added that Masalva's condition remains delicate and that he is continuing to receive treatment accordingly. 'Now all that remains is to wait and have faith that in the coming days or weeks he will begin to improve,' he said, asking people for their prayers.
Best known for playing Ramón Arellano Félix in Netflix's Narcos: Mexico alongside Diego Luna, Michael Peña, Bad Bunny and Scoot McNairy, his credits also include Univision telenovela La Rosa de Guadalupe and biographical drama series La Guzmán. Last year, Deadline exclusively announced he would appear in Netflix's forthcoming series The Gringo Hunters, currently in post-production in Mexico City.
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