Narcos Star Nears Death from Mystery Infection: 'God Gave Me a New Life'

Actor Manuel Masalva is opening up about his recovery from a terrifying medically-induced coma.

The 34-year-old actor – best known for playing Tijuana cartel enforcer Ramon Arellano Felix – was placed into the coma back in early April.

He was on vacation in mid-March, recently arriving in Dubai from the Philippines, when he was hospitalized for an aggressive bacterial infection, his manager told The Los Angeles Times in early April.

‘(After) about two days in Dubai, Masalva began to feel internal discomfort and pain which increased by the day,’ the actor’s manager Jaramillo Espinosa said.

He underwent surgery in late March where the doctors found the bacteria and realized it spread to his lungs, resulting in him being put into a medically-induced coma.

Now on the mend, Masalva shared his first statement about the ordeal, revealing he has been ‘reborn’ while thanking everyone in his corner for their support.

Actor Manuel Masalva is opening up about his recovery from a terrifying medically-induced coma; seen in 2023

Manuel Masalva, Alyssa Diaz, Tenoch Huerta, Teresa Ruiz, Michael Pena, Eric Newman, Diego Luna, Fernanda Urrejola, Alberto Casablanca and Tessa Ia from Narcos: Mexico

‘I’m healing. I want to deeply thank each and every one of you for the support you’ve given me and continue to give me, throughout the ages,’ his statement in Spanish began (via Google Translate).

‘I believe more than ever that unity is strength. This has just begun, there is still a long way to go, but I feel good, strong, reborn and accompanied,’ he added.

‘God has given us a new chance at life. God has given me a new life. 105 days today, but I’m awake and it’s been raining light ever since,’ he continued.

He added it was 81 more days, ‘after I get a breath of fresh air, of the entry and exit of thousands of people in this magnificent hospital.’

‘What a place, I have been reborn, here, in another culture that has surpassed us in love and spirituality,’ the actor said.

He admitted, ‘I don’t know if I really understand all of this or just a part of it. It has been an eternity and there are still some parts missing.’

‘I just want to give the strongest thanks that I can to God, my family, doctors and all those people who have supported me in everything since the beginning of this process,’ he said.

‘I owe you my life, without you and the hand of God this would not be real,’ Masalva concluded.

‘God has given us a new chance at life. God has given me a new life. 105 days today, but I’m awake and it’s been raining light ever since,’ he continued

The actor’s family launched a GoFundMe page in April to help cover medical costs, raising ,076,668 pesos, equivalent to just under $58,000.

His friend and fellow actor Mario Moran also posted an Instagram video in early April where he shared an update on his friend’s condition.

‘My brother is fighting for his life far from home. I want to ask for your help in this very difficult moment,’ Moran began.

‘The medical costs are huge and in a country where everything is even more difficult. Any help, however small it may seem, can make a difference in this difficult moment. If you are able to help, I would thank you with all of my heart,’ he said.