Born on December 1, 1949 in Antoquia, Colombia, Pablo Emilio Escobar was a notorious criminal who gained worldwide notoriety during the 1980s. Wanted by authorities across the globe, Escobar had aspirations of becoming Colombia’s president despite coming from a middle-class family. However, his involvement with illicit groups in Medellin led him down a different path. Even during his school days, rumors circulated about Escobar’s engagement in criminal activities such as stealing tombstones from local graveyards and selling them to Panamanian smugglers.
Later, Pablo gained expertise in car theft and became renowned in Colombia’s criminal underworld. In the early 1970s, he began acquiring substantial amounts of coca from Bolivia and Peru, which he then converted into cocaine for distribution to the United States. With his operation expanding enormously, Pablo opted to collaborate with other criminal organizations, resulting in the formation of the Medellin cartel. In 1975, following the assassination of infamous drug dealer Fabio Restrepo, Pablo assumed control of the cartel.
His brother Roberto was always in charge of handling the accounts, while Pablo had a penchant for younger girls. At the age of 26, he fell in love with Maria Victoria Henao Vellejo, who was just 15 years old. They got married and had two children, Juan Pablo and Manuela. As Pablo became more involved in kidnapping and assassinations, his power and influence grew. In 1982, Escobar was elected as a deputy representative to Colombia’s Congress. He also initiated various charitable projects and established football clubs in Medellin. Escobar consistently provided low-cost housing for the underprivileged members of the Medellin community.
Pablo established his own newspaper with the support of many residents in Medellin. He controlled a significant portion, around 80%, of cocaine transportation to the US, managing to ship out 70-80 tons monthly using various means such as factories, airplanes, and radio-controlled submarines. His ability to amass immense profits from drug trafficking was attributed to his influence over bankers and lawyers, as well as continuously expanding his cartel network and strengthening their power. By 1985, Colombia was under increasing pressure from the US to extradite Escobar.
Pablo notified Colombian authorities about his intention to stop drug trafficking in return for halting extradition. Consequently, he initiated a campaign of terror that resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians. By 1989, Forbes magazine ranked Pablo as the seventh wealthiest person worldwide, with a fortune worth $24 billion. He found immense pleasure in leading an extravagant lifestyle and invested his wealth in luxurious properties like lavish homes and multiple private helicopter ports. Pablo took joy in satisfying his desires by maintaining a personal zoo filled with exotic animals and hundreds of fruit trees. Additionally, Escobar owned a vast collection of apartments and extensive stretches of land.
For his protection, Pablo received assistance from criminals in the guerrilla army. Pablo’s campaign of terror targeted politicians, civil servants, journalists, and ordinary citizens. On December 2, 1993, Pablo Emilio Escobar was killed by a combination of Colombian forces known as the Search Block and members of the paramilitary group “Los Pepes”. This anti-Escobar group sought his death in retaliation for the killings of their family members and friends. There are suggestions that the United States Delta Force may have played a role in Pablo Escobar’s demise.
Pablo’s wife, daughter, and son were not granted entry into any country. They secluded themselves completely due to fear of possible attacks from guerrillas or any individuals who sought to harm them. Argentina was the sole nation willing to welcome Pablo’s wife and children. In order to evade scrutiny and avoid notoriety, Pablo’s son Juan Pablo Escobar changed his name to Sebastian Marroquin. The reputation of Pablo Escobar as a drug lord will endure indefinitely.
Bowden, Mark. Killing Pablo: The hunt for the world’s greatest outlaw.
* Roberto Escobar, the subject of the article “Reporter pursues Escobar story in ‘Killing Pablo'” by Adam Dunn. <
