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{{family name hatnote|Escobar|Gaviria|lang=Spanish}} | {{family name hatnote|Escobar|Gaviria|lang=Spanish}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} | ||
{{Excessive citations|date=November 2024}} | |||
{{Infobox criminal | {{Infobox criminal | ||
| name |
| name = Pablo Escobar | ||
| image |
| image = Pablo Escobar Mug.jpg | ||
| caption |
| caption = Escobar in a 1976 mugshot | ||
| birth_name |
| birth_name = Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria | ||
| birth_date |
| birth_date = {{birth date|1949|12|01|df=y}} | ||
| birth_place |
| birth_place = ], Colombia | ||
| death_date |
| death_date = {{death date and age|1993|12|02|1949|12|01|df=y}} | ||
| death_place |
| death_place = ], Colombia | ||
| death_cause |
| death_cause = ] to the head | ||
| criminal_charge |
| criminal_charge = ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]. | ||
| parents |
| parents = Abel de Jesús Escobar Echeverri<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.infobae.com/america/colombia/2018/09/23/discrecion-un-secuestro-y-una-millonaria-herencia-la-historia-del-misterioso-padre-de-pablo-escobar/ | title=Discreción, un secuestro y una millonaria herencia: La historia del misterioso padre de Pablo Escobar | date=23 September 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/padre-de-pablo-escobar-abel-escobar-dejo-millonaria-herencia/504450/ | title=La herencia desconocida del papá de Pablo Escobar | date=5 November 2016 }}</ref> <br /> Hermilda de los Dolores Gaviria Berrío<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/06/29/mama-de-pablo-escobar-y-su-extrana-peticion-para-el-entierro-del-narcotraficante/ | title=Mamá de Pablo Escobar y su extraña petición para el entierro del narcotraficante | date=29 June 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/internacional/quien-fue-la-madre-de-pablo-escobar-nota/ | title="No me avergüenza ser la mamá de Pablo Escobar": La madre del jefe del Cartel de Medellín dedicó sus últimos días a limpiar la imagen de su hijo | date=22 April 2023 }}</ref> | ||
| spouse |
| spouse = {{marriage|Maria Victoria Henao|1976}} | ||
| children |
| children = {{hlist|]|Manuela}} | ||
| relatives |
| relatives = José Obdulio Gaviria <br /> ] | ||
| module |
| module = {{Infobox criminal|child=yes | ||
| organization |
| organization = ] | ||
| conviction |
| conviction = ], assassinations, bombing, bribery, ], murder | ||
| alias |
| alias = {{ubl|El Patrón (The Boss)|Don Pablo (Sir Pablo)|El Padrino (The Godfather)|El Diablo (The Devil)||] Robin Hood|El Doctor (The Doctor)}} | ||
| conviction_penalty |
| conviction_penalty = Five years' imprisonment | ||
}} | }} | ||
| signature |
| signature = Pablo Escobar signature.svg | ||
| resting_place |
| resting_place = Monte Sacro Cemetery | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛ|s|k|ə|b|ɑr}}; {{IPA|es|ˈpaβlo eskoˈβaɾ|lang}}; 1 December 1949 – 2 December 1993) was a ], ], and ] who was the founder and sole leader of the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/colombia/2019/06/02/la-oficina-la-banda-de-sicarios-que-creo-pablo-escobar-y-que-el-gobierno-colombiano-aun-no-logra-doblegar/ |title=La Oficina, la banda de sicarios que creó Pablo Escobar y que el Gobierno colombiano aún no logra doblegar |date=2 June 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://elpais.com/tag/pablo_escobar_gaviria/a |title=Pablo Escobar en El País |date=September 2024 }}</ref> Dubbed "the king of cocaine", Escobar |
'''Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛ|s|k|ə|b|ɑr}}; {{IPA|es|ˈpaβlo eskoˈβaɾ|lang}}; 1 December 1949 – 2 December 1993) was a ], ], and ] who was the founder and sole leader of the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/colombia/2019/06/02/la-oficina-la-banda-de-sicarios-que-creo-pablo-escobar-y-que-el-gobierno-colombiano-aun-no-logra-doblegar/ |title=La Oficina, la banda de sicarios que creó Pablo Escobar y que el Gobierno colombiano aún no logra doblegar |date=2 June 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://elpais.com/tag/pablo_escobar_gaviria/a |title=Pablo Escobar en El País |date=September 2024 }}</ref> Dubbed "the king of cocaine", Escobar is considered the wealthiest criminal in history, having amassed an estimated net worth of US$30 billion by the time of his death—equivalent to $70 billion as of 2022—while his ] monopolized the ] trade into the ] in the 1980s and early 1990s.<ref name="Macias">{{cite web |last1=Macias |first1=Amanda |title=10 facts reveal the absurdity of Pablo Escobar's wealth |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/10-facts-that-prove-the-absurdity-of-pablo-escobars-wealth-2015-9?r=US&IR=T |website=businessinsider.com |publisher=Insider Inc. |access-date=28 July 2018 |date=21 September 2015 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018195915/https://www.businessinsider.com/10-facts-that-prove-the-absurdity-of-pablo-escobars-wealth-2015-9?r=US&IR=T |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.unilad.co.uk/film/heres-how-rich-pablo-escobar-would-be-if-he-was-alive-today/ |title=Here's How Rich Pablo Escobar Would Be If He Was Alive Today |date=13 September 2016 |work=UNILAD |access-date=28 July 2018 |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729013104/https://www.unilad.co.uk/film/heres-how-rich-pablo-escobar-would-be-if-he-was-alive-today/ |archive-date=29 July 2018}}</ref> | ||
Born in ] into a peasant family and raised in ], Escobar studied briefly at ] of Medellín but left without graduating; he instead began engaging in criminal activity, selling illegal cigarettes and fake lottery tickets, as well as participating in ]. In the early 1970s, he began to work for various smugglers. | Born in ] into a peasant family and raised in ], Escobar studied briefly at ] of Medellín but left without graduating; he instead began engaging in criminal activity, selling illegal cigarettes and fake lottery tickets, as well as participating in ]. In the early 1970s, he began to work for various smugglers. | ||
In 1976, forming alliances with ], ], and ] and his clan, Escobar founded the ], which distributed powder cocaine. He also established the first smuggling routes from Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador through Colombia and into the United States. Escobar's infiltration into the U.S. created exponential demand for cocaine, and by the 1980s, it was estimated Escobar led monthly shipments of 70 to 80 tons of cocaine into the country from ], controlling more than 80% of the world's production of the drug and 60% of the illicit market in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/billonarios/9530-3/ |title=Billonarios! |date=2 November 1987 }}</ref> As a result, Escobar amassed an immense fortune, which amounted to around eight billion dollars between assets and cash; according to ], for seven consecutive years, he was one of the richest people in the world.<ref name="Macias" /><ref>{{cite book |last1=Escobar |first1=Juan Pablo |author1-link=Sebastián Marroquín |title=Pablo Escobar, My Father |date=2014 |publisher=St. Martin's Press |location=New York |page=469}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elsalvador.com/articulo/internacional/pablo-escobar-siete-anos-seguidos-ranking-forbes-94810 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507171617/http://www.elsalvador.com/articulo/internacional/pablo-escobar-siete-anos-seguidos-ranking-forbes-94810 |archive-date=7 May 2016 |title=Internacional |
In 1976, forming alliances with ], ], and ] and his clan, Escobar founded the ], which distributed powder cocaine. He also established the first smuggling routes from Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador through Colombia and into the United States. Escobar's infiltration into the U.S. created exponential demand for cocaine, and by the 1980s, it was estimated Escobar led monthly shipments of 70 to 80 tons of cocaine into the country from ], controlling more than 80% of the world's production of the drug and 60% of the illicit market in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/billonarios/9530-3/ |title=Billonarios! |date=2 November 1987 }}</ref> As a result, Escobar amassed an immense fortune, which amounted to around eight billion dollars between assets and cash; according to ], for seven consecutive years, he was one of the richest people in the world.<ref name="Macias" /><ref>{{cite book |last1=Escobar |first1=Juan Pablo |author1-link=Sebastián Marroquín |title=Pablo Escobar, My Father |date=2014 |publisher=St. Martin's Press |location=New York |page=469}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elsalvador.com/articulo/internacional/pablo-escobar-siete-anos-seguidos-ranking-forbes-94810 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507171617/http://www.elsalvador.com/articulo/internacional/pablo-escobar-siete-anos-seguidos-ranking-forbes-94810 |archive-date=7 May 2016 |title=Internacional – Noticias de El Salvador – Noticias de El Salvador }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/seankilachand/2012/03/21/forbes-history-the-original-1987-list-of-international-billionaires |title=Forbes History: The Original 1987 List of International Billionaires |website=] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/especiales/articulo/los-otros-dueos-del-pais/29902-3/ |title=Los Otros Dueños del Pais |date=26 August 1996 }}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} | ||
In the ], to excuse his immeasurable capital, Escobar was elected as an alternate member of the ] as part of the ]. Through this, he was responsible for community projects such as the construction of houses and football fields, which gained him popularity among the locals of the towns that he frequented; however, Escobar's political ambitions were thwarted by the Colombian and U.S. governments, constantly battled rival cartels domestically and abroad, leading to massacres and the murders of police officers, judges, locals, and prominent politicians.<ref name="colombialink.com">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061108191638/http://www.colombialink.com/01_INDEX/index_personajes/narcotrafico/escobar_gaviria_pablo_ing.html |archive-date=8 November 2006 |url=http://www.colombialink.com/01_INDEX/index_personajes/narcotrafico/escobar_gaviria_pablo_ing.html |title=Pablo Escobar Gaviria – English Biography – Articles and Notes |publisher=ColombiaLink.com |access-date=16 March 2011}}</ref> who routinely ], with Escobar widely believed to have orchestrated the ] and ] bombings in retaliation. | In the ], to excuse his immeasurable capital, Escobar was elected as an alternate member of the ] as part of the ]. Through this, he was responsible for community projects such as the construction of houses and football fields, which gained him popularity among the locals of the towns that he frequented; however, Escobar's political ambitions were thwarted by the Colombian and U.S. governments, constantly battled rival cartels domestically and abroad, leading to massacres and the murders of police officers, judges, locals, and prominent politicians.<ref name="colombialink.com">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061108191638/http://www.colombialink.com/01_INDEX/index_personajes/narcotrafico/escobar_gaviria_pablo_ing.html |archive-date=8 November 2006 |url=http://www.colombialink.com/01_INDEX/index_personajes/narcotrafico/escobar_gaviria_pablo_ing.html |title=Pablo Escobar Gaviria – English Biography – Articles and Notes |publisher=ColombiaLink.com |access-date=16 March 2011}}</ref> who routinely ], with Escobar widely believed to have orchestrated the ] and ] bombings in retaliation. | ||
In 1989, after several attempts at negotiation, multiple kidnappings, and selective assassinations of judges and public officials, the Medellín Cartel with Escobar at its helm declared total war against the government.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hermoso |first=Borja |date=2010-05-20 |title=Fútbol, droga y muerte en Colombia |url=http://blogs.elpais.com/version-muy-original/2010/05/f%C3%BAtbol-droga-y-muerte-en-colombia.html#more |website=blogs.elpais.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2005-08-14 |url=http://www.caracol.com.co/noticias/actualidad/se-confiesa-popeye-mano-derecha-de-pablo-escobar/20050814/nota/194096.aspx |title=Se confiesa "Popeye", mano derecha de Pablo Escobar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129044924/http://www.caracol.com.co/noticias/actualidad/se-confiesa-popeye-mano-derecha-de-pablo-escobar/20050814/nota/194096.aspx |archive-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> Escobar organized and financed an extensive army of hitmen, who assassinated key figures for the Colombian institutionality, such as the liberal leader ], and perpetrated indiscriminate terrorist acts, such as the use of car bombs in Colombia's main cities. This campaign of narcoterrorism destabilized the country and made Escobar the most wanted criminal in the world at the beginning of the nineties.<ref>{{ |
In 1989, after several attempts at negotiation, multiple kidnappings, and selective assassinations of judges and public officials, the Medellín Cartel with Escobar at its helm declared total war against the government.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hermoso |first=Borja |date=2010-05-20 |title=Fútbol, droga y muerte en Colombia |url=http://blogs.elpais.com/version-muy-original/2010/05/f%C3%BAtbol-droga-y-muerte-en-colombia.html#more |website=blogs.elpais.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2005-08-14 |url=http://www.caracol.com.co/noticias/actualidad/se-confiesa-popeye-mano-derecha-de-pablo-escobar/20050814/nota/194096.aspx |title=Se confiesa "Popeye", mano derecha de Pablo Escobar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129044924/http://www.caracol.com.co/noticias/actualidad/se-confiesa-popeye-mano-derecha-de-pablo-escobar/20050814/nota/194096.aspx |archive-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> Escobar organized and financed an extensive army of hitmen, who assassinated key figures for the Colombian institutionality, such as the liberal leader ], and perpetrated indiscriminate terrorist acts, such as the use of car bombs in Colombia's main cities. This campaign of narcoterrorism destabilized the country and made Escobar the most wanted criminal in the world at the beginning of the nineties.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eltiempo.com/Multimedia/especiales/pabloescobar/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR_MULTIMEDIA-13238315.html|title=Una estratagema derrotó al criminal más buscado del mundo|website=eltiempo.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/noticias/2014/02/140223_joaquin_chapo_guzman_pablo_escobar_vidas_paralelas_jcps.shtml |title=¿Es "el Chapo" Guzmán el Pablo Escobar del siglo XXI? |date=23 February 2014 }}</ref> Escobar was responsible for the murder of 657 police officers between 1989 and 1993,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.heraldoleon.mx/recuerdan-asesinato-de-el-patron-escobar/ |title=Recuerdan asesinato de 'El Patrón' Escobar|date=3 December 2018 }}</ref><ref name="auto9">{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/medellin/plan-pistola-en-medellin-a-manos-de-pablo-escobar-el-patron-299528 |title=Cuando Escobar les puso precio a las vidas de los policías |date=December 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/cifras-de-atentados-victimas-de-escobar/365633-3/ |title=Las cifras del mal |date=23 November 2013 }}</ref> and fierce clashes against the ],<ref name="auto6">{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1988/08/29/internacional/588808815_850215.html |title=Lucha a muerte de los cárteles colombianos de Cali y Medellín por el control del narcotráfico en Nueva York |newspaper=El País |date=29 August 1988 |last1=Sabogal |first1=Hugo }}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/especiales/articulo/cronologia-de-la-guerra/14051-3/ |title=Cronologia de la Guerra |date=29 October 1990 }}</ref> the ] paramilitary groups, and ]. | ||
In 1991, after the consummation of the ], which gave Colombia a new constitution and the prohibition of the extradition of nationals, Escobar surrendered to authorities and was sentenced to five years' imprisonment on multiple charges; however, he struck a deal of no ] with Colombian President ], along with the ability to be housed in his self-built prison, ]. In 1992, when authorities attempted to move Escobar to a more standard holding facility after confirming that he had continued to commit crimes while imprisoned, Escobar escaped and went into hiding, leading to a nationwide manhunt.<ref name="DeathPablo">{{cite news |url=http://www.eltiempo.com/justicia/2006-11-08/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-3317670.html |title=Familiares exhumaron cadáver de Pablo Escobar para verificar plenamente su identidad |work=El Tiempo}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> As a result, the Medellín Cartel crumbled, and in 1993, Escobar was killed in his hometown by ], a day after his 44th birthday.<ref name="DEA">{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/history/1990-1994.html |title=Decline of the Medellín Cartel and the Rise of the Cali Mafia |publisher=U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration |access-date=13 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060118010530/http://www.dea.gov/pubs/history/1990-1994.html |archive-date=18 January 2006}}</ref> | In 1991, after the consummation of the ], which gave Colombia a new constitution and the prohibition of the extradition of nationals, Escobar surrendered to authorities and was sentenced to five years' imprisonment on multiple charges; however, he struck a deal of no ] with Colombian President ], along with the ability to be housed in his self-built prison, ]. In 1992, when authorities attempted to move Escobar to a more standard holding facility after confirming that he had continued to commit crimes while imprisoned, Escobar escaped and went into hiding, leading to a nationwide manhunt.<ref name="DeathPablo">{{cite news |url=http://www.eltiempo.com/justicia/2006-11-08/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-3317670.html |title=Familiares exhumaron cadáver de Pablo Escobar para verificar plenamente su identidad |work=El Tiempo}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> As a result, the Medellín Cartel crumbled, and in 1993, Escobar was killed in his hometown by ], a day after his 44th birthday.<ref name="DEA">{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/history/1990-1994.html |title=Decline of the Medellín Cartel and the Rise of the Cali Mafia |publisher=U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration |access-date=13 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060118010530/http://www.dea.gov/pubs/history/1990-1994.html |archive-date=18 January 2006}}</ref> | ||
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Escobar started his criminal career with his gang by with small scams, thefts, and after stealing tombstones, sandblasting their inscriptions, and reselling them. After dropping out of college, Escobar began to join gangs to steal cars.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GfAi3Tt1bygC&pg=PT18 |title=Escobar |first=Roberto |last=Escobar |year=2012 |publisher=Hodder & Stoughton |isbn=978-1848942912 |access-date=19 May 2023 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018200016/https://books.google.com/books?id=GfAi3Tt1bygC&pg=PT18 |url-status=live}}</ref> Escobar soon became involved in violent crime, employing criminals to kidnap people who owed him money and demand ransoms, sometimes tearing up ransom notes even when Escobar had received the ransom. It is speculated that businessman ] was kidnapped and eventually killed in the summer of 1971 with the participation of Escobar, who supposedly received a $50,000 ransom from the Echavarria family.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bowden |first1=Mark |title=Killing Pablo |date=2001 |publisher=Atlantic Books |location=London |isbn=978-1-84354-651-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/killingpablohunt0000bowd_a3w9 |url-access=registration |access-date=19 June 2023 |pages=33–37}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vélez |first=Sergio Esteban |date=2012-08-09 |title=Lo malo y lo bueno |url=http://www.elmundo.com/portal/opinion/columnistas/lo_malo_y_lo_bueno.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112034554/http://www.elmundo.com/portal/opinion/columnistas/lo_malo_y_lo_bueno.php |archive-date=2014-01-12 |access-date= |website=www.elmundo.com}}</ref> Escobar would repeat the same process with drug lord Fabio Restrepo, kidnapping and murdering him in 1975.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/variedades/datos-del-temeroso-narcotraficante-pablo-escobar-910561 |title=Datos del temeroso narcotraficante Pablo Escobar |date=2 December 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com/15-datos-que-quizas-no-conocias-de-pablo-escobar-192821001.html |title=15 datos que quizás no conocías de Pablo Escobar |date=2 December 2016 }}</ref> | Escobar started his criminal career with his gang by with small scams, thefts, and after stealing tombstones, sandblasting their inscriptions, and reselling them. After dropping out of college, Escobar began to join gangs to steal cars.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GfAi3Tt1bygC&pg=PT18 |title=Escobar |first=Roberto |last=Escobar |year=2012 |publisher=Hodder & Stoughton |isbn=978-1848942912 |access-date=19 May 2023 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018200016/https://books.google.com/books?id=GfAi3Tt1bygC&pg=PT18 |url-status=live}}</ref> Escobar soon became involved in violent crime, employing criminals to kidnap people who owed him money and demand ransoms, sometimes tearing up ransom notes even when Escobar had received the ransom. It is speculated that businessman ] was kidnapped and eventually killed in the summer of 1971 with the participation of Escobar, who supposedly received a $50,000 ransom from the Echavarria family.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bowden |first1=Mark |title=Killing Pablo |date=2001 |publisher=Atlantic Books |location=London |isbn=978-1-84354-651-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/killingpablohunt0000bowd_a3w9 |url-access=registration |access-date=19 June 2023 |pages=33–37}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vélez |first=Sergio Esteban |date=2012-08-09 |title=Lo malo y lo bueno |url=http://www.elmundo.com/portal/opinion/columnistas/lo_malo_y_lo_bueno.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112034554/http://www.elmundo.com/portal/opinion/columnistas/lo_malo_y_lo_bueno.php |archive-date=2014-01-12 |access-date= |website=www.elmundo.com}}</ref> Escobar would repeat the same process with drug lord Fabio Restrepo, kidnapping and murdering him in 1975.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/variedades/datos-del-temeroso-narcotraficante-pablo-escobar-910561 |title=Datos del temeroso narcotraficante Pablo Escobar |date=2 December 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com/15-datos-que-quizas-no-conocias-de-pablo-escobar-192821001.html |title=15 datos que quizás no conocías de Pablo Escobar |date=2 December 2016 }}</ref> | ||
After Escobar would later begin to work for Alfredo Gómez López, 'Don Capone', the king of smuggling in Colombia.<ref>{{ |
After Escobar would later begin to work for Alfredo Gómez López, 'Don Capone', the king of smuggling in Colombia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.derechos.org/nizkor/colombia/libros/jinetes/cap3.html|title=Los Jinetes de la Cocaína|website=www.derechos.org}}</ref> Escobar soon entered the drug trade by smuggling marijuana to the United States under the patronage of Griselda Blanco. After the end of the marijuana boom, Escobar began working as an intermediary who bought ] in Colombia, ] and ], to later resell it to his partners the Ochoa brothers, traffickers in charge of taking it to the United States. | ||
=== Medellín Cartel === | === Medellín Cartel === | ||
] | ] | ||
] sent by the ] to the ] was packaged in blocks and entered hidden among parts of machinery, cars, submarines, boats and even in the tires of airplanes coming from Colombia. Up to 15 tons of this drug entered the northern country every day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/10-facts-that-prove-the-absurdity-of-pablo-escobars-wealth-2015-9 |title=10 facts reveal the absurdity of Pablo Escobar's wealth |website=] }}</ref>]] | ] sent by the ] to the ] was packaged in blocks and entered hidden among parts of machinery, cars, submarines, boats and even in the tires of airplanes coming from Colombia. Up to 15 tons of this drug entered the northern country every day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/10-facts-that-prove-the-absurdity-of-pablo-escobars-wealth-2015-9 |title=10 facts reveal the absurdity of Pablo Escobar's wealth |website=] }}</ref>]] | ||
Escobar had been involved in organized crime for a decade when the cocaine trade began to spread in Colombia in the mid-1970s. Escobar's meteoric rise caught the attention of the ] (DAS), who arrested him in May 1976 on his return from drug trafficking in Ecuador. DAS agents found 39 kg of cocaine in the spare tire of Escobar's car. Escobar managed to change the first judge in the lawsuit and the process expired, apparently by ] the second judge, so he was released along with other prisoners. Despite this, the case was reopened by Judge Mariela Espinosa, who also dropped the investigation due to threats against her life.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-09-04 |title=La arremetida contra la justicia {{!}} Pablo Escobar, dos décadas después |url=http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/articulo-372559-arremetida-contra-justicia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929164628/http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/articulo-372559-arremetida-contra-justicia |archive-date=2012-09-29 |access-date= |website= |
Escobar had been involved in organized crime for a decade when the cocaine trade began to spread in Colombia in the mid-1970s. Escobar's meteoric rise caught the attention of the ] (DAS), who arrested him in May 1976 on his return from drug trafficking in Ecuador. DAS agents found 39 kg of cocaine in the spare tire of Escobar's car. Escobar managed to change the first judge in the lawsuit and the process expired, apparently by ] the second judge, so he was released along with other prisoners. Despite this, the case was reopened by Judge Mariela Espinosa, who also dropped the investigation due to threats against her life.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-09-04 |title=La arremetida contra la justicia {{!}} Pablo Escobar, dos décadas después |url=http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/articulo-372559-arremetida-contra-justicia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929164628/http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/articulo-372559-arremetida-contra-justicia |archive-date=2012-09-29 |access-date= |website=elespectador.com}}</ref> The following year, the agents who arrested Escobar were assassinated. Escobar continued to bribe and ] Colombian ] in the same fashion. His ] strategy of ] public officials and political candidates in Colombia, in addition to sending ] to murder the ones who rejected his bribes, came to be known as "silver or lead", meaning "money or death".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Torres |first1=Rubén Ortiz |title=Plata O Plomo O Glitter |url=https://www.royaleprojects.com/exhib-plata-o-plomo-o-glitter |website=royaleprojects.com |access-date=19 June 2023 |date=9 February 2020 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018195913/https://www.royaleprojects.com/exhib-plata-o-plomo-o-glitter |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="about" />{{sfn|Bowden|2001|pp=40–42}} The Medellín Cartel and the ] both managed to bribe Colombian ]s, and campaigned for both the ] and ] parties. Although the difference between the two cartels was that the Medellín Cartel used its "money or death" law through a huge army of hitmen, the Cali Cartel preferred to use bribes by having politicians, journalists, police officers, army officers, judges, etc. on its payroll.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Rubio |first=Mauricio |title=Colombia: Coexistence, Legal Confrontation, and War with Illegal Armed Groups |url=https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dangerousliasons_ch4_colombia.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115171649/https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dangerousliasons_ch4_colombia.pdf |archive-date=2021-11-15 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/11/14/colombias-drug-lords-waging-war-on-leftists/482456d3-9ec7-484d-adf1-d2c020d72124 |title=Colombia's Drug Lords Waging War on Leftists |first=Merrill |last=Collett |date=14 November 1987 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=13 August 2023 |archive-date=15 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315194406/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/11/14/colombias-drug-lords-waging-war-on-leftists/482456d3-9ec7-484d-adf1-d2c020d72124/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Hence, Escobar and many other Colombian drug lords were ] because many of the ] whom they backed financially were eventually elected.<ref name=":0" /> Although the Medellín Cartel was only established in the early 1970s, it expanded after Escobar met several drug lords on a farm in April 1978, and by the end of 1978 they had transported some 19,000 kilograms of cocaine to the United States.<ref>{{cite book |author=Chepsiuk, Ron |title=The War on Drugs: An International Encyclopedia |year=1999 |page=133 |location=Santa Barbara, California |publisher=ABC-Clio |isbn=978-0-87436-985-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V1rjd3cBI84C |language=en |access-date=2022-06-07 |archive-date=2022-06-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607125129/https://books.google.fi/books?id=V1rjd3cBI84C}}</ref> | |||
=== Rise to prominence === | === Rise to prominence === | ||
], and eventually distributed to the U.S. drug market.|alt=]] | ], and eventually distributed to the U.S. drug market.|alt=]] | ||
Soon, the demand for cocaine greatly increased in the ], which led to Escobar organizing more smuggling shipments, routes, and distribution networks in ], ], ], and other parts of the country. He and cartel co-founder ] worked together to develop a new trans-shipment point in the ], an island called ] about {{convert|220|mi|km|order=flip|abbr=on}} southeast of the Florida coast. Escobar and ] purchased most of the land on the island, which included a {{convert|1|km|ft|adj=on}} airstrip, a harbor, a hotel, houses, boats, and aircraft, and they built a refrigerated warehouse to store the cocaine. According to his brother, Escobar did not purchase Norman's Cay; it was instead a sole venture of Lehder's. From 1978 to 1982, this was used as a central smuggling route for the Medellín Cartel. With the enormous profits generated by this route, Escobar was soon able to purchase {{convert|7.7|sqmi|km2|sigfig=2|order=flip}} of land in Antioquia for several million dollars, on which he built the ]. |
Soon, the demand for cocaine greatly increased in the ], which led to Escobar organizing more smuggling shipments, routes, and distribution networks in ], ], ], and other parts of the country. He and cartel co-founder ] worked together to develop a new trans-shipment point in the ], an island called ] about {{convert|220|mi|km|order=flip|abbr=on}} southeast of the Florida coast. Escobar and ] purchased most of the land on the island, which included a {{convert|1|km|ft|adj=on}} airstrip, a harbor, a hotel, houses, boats, and aircraft, and they built a refrigerated warehouse to store the cocaine. According to his brother, Escobar did not purchase Norman's Cay; it was instead a sole venture of Lehder's. From 1978 to 1982, this was used as a central smuggling route for the Medellín Cartel. With the enormous profits generated by this route, Escobar was soon able to purchase {{convert|7.7|sqmi|km2|sigfig=2|order=flip}} of land in Antioquia for several million dollars, on which he built the ]. | ||
The luxury house he created contained a ], with more than two hundred species of exotic animals for the region, such as ], ], ], ] and ], all introduced into the country as a result of bribes to the government entity ] and the customs authorities; a lake, a sculpture garden; a private bullring; and other amenities for his family and the cartel. Escobar made a show of this by producing a propaganda report about his Hacienda.<ref>{{cite news |title=The godfather of cocaine |work=Frontline |publisher=WGBH |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/programs/transcripts/1309.html |access-date=7 September 2017 |archive-date=2 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402034547/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/programs/transcripts/1309.html}}</ref> | |||
Escobar was also among the world's billionaires due to his immense fortune invested in buildings, homes, automobiles and estates. listed as the seventh richest man in the world, according to ], something his son would deny years later.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelnoer/2011/11/15/pablo-escobars-son-forbes-is-lying |title=Pablo Escobar's Son: 'Forbes is Lying' |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_3255000/3255106.stm |title=Colombia: 10 años sin Escobar |author=Héctor Latorre |date=2 December 2003}}</ref> | Escobar was also among the world's billionaires due to his immense fortune invested in buildings, homes, automobiles and estates. listed as the seventh richest man in the world, according to ], something his son would deny years later.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelnoer/2011/11/15/pablo-escobars-son-forbes-is-lying |title=Pablo Escobar's Son: 'Forbes is Lying' |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_3255000/3255106.stm |title=Colombia: 10 años sin Escobar |author=Héctor Latorre |date=2 December 2003}}</ref> | ||
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===Escobar's political career=== | ===Escobar's political career=== | ||
]), an independent electrical system, dormitories and a landing strip. The complex was destroyed in 1984 by the ] and the ], seizing about 14 tons of drugs, valued at 1.2 billion dollars.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/cron/ |title=Thirty Years of America's Drug War | Drug Wars | FRONTLINE | PBS |website=] }}</ref>]] | ]), an independent electrical system, dormitories and a landing strip. The complex was destroyed in 1984 by the ] and the ], seizing about 14 tons of drugs, valued at 1.2 billion dollars.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/cron/ |title=Thirty Years of America's Drug War | Drug Wars | FRONTLINE | PBS |website=] }}</ref>]] | ||
At the height of his power, Escobar was involved in philanthropy in Colombia and paid handsomely for the staff of his cocaine lab. Escobar spent millions developing some of Medellín's poorest neighborhoods. He built housing complexes, parks, football stadiums, hospitals, schools, and churches.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.latinpost.com/articles/148055/20201025/things-know-pablo-escobar.htm |title=Pablo Escobar: Interesting Facts You May Not Know About the King of Cocaine |date=25 October 2020 |website=LATIN POST |access-date=13 August 2023 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018195915/https://www.latinpost.com/articles/148055/20201025/things-know-pablo-escobar.htm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newsweek.com/pablo-escobar-biopic-cocaine-king-full-dizzying-contradictions-351645 |title=Pablo Escobar Biopic: The Cocaine King Full of Contradictions |first=Rudolph |last=Herzog |date=9 July 2015 |website=Newsweek |access-date=13 August 2023 |archive-date=13 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813174640/https://www.newsweek.com/pablo-escobar-biopic-cocaine-king-full-dizzying-contradictions-351645 |url-status=live}}</ref> His most famous charity work was the 'Medellín without slums' neighbourhood, aimed at people living in slums at the Medellín municipal dump.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/medellin/articulo/asi-es-el-barrio-que-construyo-pablo-escobar-en-medellin-y-que-no-aparece-en-el-mapa-seguimos-abandonados-por-el-estado/202321/ |title=Medellín sin tugurios: Semana visitó el barrio que levantó Pablo Escobar. Allí todavía lamentan la muerte del capo |date=2 December 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/colombia/2021/02/03/el-barrio-medellin-sin-tugurios-la-herencia-de-pablo-escobar-que-sus-habitantes-quieren-cambiar/ |title=El barrio "Medellín sin tugurios" la herencia de Pablo Escobar que sus habitantes quieren cambiar |date=3 February 2021 }}</ref> Shortly before the presidential and regional elections of 1982 began, Escobar realized that he had to create a "cover" to protect his lucrative drug trade. He began to cultivate an image of a respectable man, making contacts with politicians, financiers, lawyers, etc. Considered until then a 'Robin Hood paisa' due to his help to the poor of Medellín, Escobar would enter politics with the help of Jairo Ortega Ramírez as a congressman representing Antioquia through the Liberal Renewal movement,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.las2orillas.co/jairo-ortega-el-politico-paisa-que-llevo-pablo-escobar-al-congreso/ |title=Jairo Ortega, el político paisa que llevó a Pablo Escobar al Congreso |date=16 August 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/09/28/carino-preparate-para-ser-la-primera-dama-asi-fue-el-camino-de-pablo-escobar-en-la-politica/ |title="Cariño, prepárate para ser la primera dama": Así fue el camino de Pablo Escobar en la política |date=28 September 2023 }}</ref> although his godfather in politics was the liberal ] from ] ]. This triumvirate initially supported the candidacy of ], a dissident of the ] for his ] movement. While campaigning politically in Medellín, Galán learned through his assistant Iván Marulanda that people whose fortunes were of dubious origin had joined the Liberal Renovation movement. In Medellín's ], Galán, without mentioning Escobar's name, publicly expelled him, rejecting the support of Escobar and others similar to him involved in shady business dealings.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pares.com.co/post/lo-que-nunca-le-perdon%C3%B3-pablo-escobar-a-luis-carlos-gal%C3%A1n |title=Lo que nunca le perdonó Pablo Escobar a Luis Carlos Galán |date=18 August 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{ |
At the height of his power, Escobar was involved in philanthropy in Colombia and paid handsomely for the staff of his cocaine lab. Escobar spent millions developing some of Medellín's poorest neighborhoods. He built housing complexes, parks, football stadiums, hospitals, schools, and churches.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.latinpost.com/articles/148055/20201025/things-know-pablo-escobar.htm |title=Pablo Escobar: Interesting Facts You May Not Know About the King of Cocaine |date=25 October 2020 |website=LATIN POST |access-date=13 August 2023 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018195915/https://www.latinpost.com/articles/148055/20201025/things-know-pablo-escobar.htm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newsweek.com/pablo-escobar-biopic-cocaine-king-full-dizzying-contradictions-351645 |title=Pablo Escobar Biopic: The Cocaine King Full of Contradictions |first=Rudolph |last=Herzog |date=9 July 2015 |website=Newsweek |access-date=13 August 2023 |archive-date=13 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813174640/https://www.newsweek.com/pablo-escobar-biopic-cocaine-king-full-dizzying-contradictions-351645 |url-status=live}}</ref> His most famous charity work was the 'Medellín without slums' neighbourhood, aimed at people living in slums at the Medellín municipal dump.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/medellin/articulo/asi-es-el-barrio-que-construyo-pablo-escobar-en-medellin-y-que-no-aparece-en-el-mapa-seguimos-abandonados-por-el-estado/202321/ |title=Medellín sin tugurios: Semana visitó el barrio que levantó Pablo Escobar. Allí todavía lamentan la muerte del capo |date=2 December 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/colombia/2021/02/03/el-barrio-medellin-sin-tugurios-la-herencia-de-pablo-escobar-que-sus-habitantes-quieren-cambiar/ |title=El barrio "Medellín sin tugurios" la herencia de Pablo Escobar que sus habitantes quieren cambiar |date=3 February 2021 }}</ref> Shortly before the presidential and regional elections of 1982 began, Escobar realized that he had to create a "cover" to protect his lucrative drug trade. He began to cultivate an image of a respectable man, making contacts with politicians, financiers, lawyers, etc. Considered until then a 'Robin Hood paisa' due to his help to the poor of Medellín, Escobar would enter politics with the help of Jairo Ortega Ramírez as a congressman representing Antioquia through the Liberal Renewal movement,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.las2orillas.co/jairo-ortega-el-politico-paisa-que-llevo-pablo-escobar-al-congreso/ |title=Jairo Ortega, el político paisa que llevó a Pablo Escobar al Congreso |date=16 August 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/09/28/carino-preparate-para-ser-la-primera-dama-asi-fue-el-camino-de-pablo-escobar-en-la-politica/ |title="Cariño, prepárate para ser la primera dama": Así fue el camino de Pablo Escobar en la política |date=28 September 2023 }}</ref> although his godfather in politics was the liberal ] from ] ]. This triumvirate initially supported the candidacy of ], a dissident of the ] for his ] movement. While campaigning politically in Medellín, Galán learned through his assistant Iván Marulanda that people whose fortunes were of dubious origin had joined the Liberal Renovation movement. In Medellín's ], Galán, without mentioning Escobar's name, publicly expelled him, rejecting the support of Escobar and others similar to him involved in shady business dealings.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pares.com.co/post/lo-que-nunca-le-perdon%C3%B3-pablo-escobar-a-luis-carlos-gal%C3%A1n |title=Lo que nunca le perdonó Pablo Escobar a Luis Carlos Galán |date=18 August 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elcolombiano.com/medellin-es-mas-que-pablo-escobar/asesinato-de-luis-carlos-galan|title=Asesinato de Luis Carlos Galán|website=www.elcolombiano.com}}</ref> | ||
Despite the opposition and warnings of his partners, in 1982, he successfully entered the Colombian Congress. Although only an alternate, he was automatically granted parliamentary immunity and the right to a diplomatic passport under Colombian law. At the same time, Escobar was gradually becoming a public figure, and because of his charitable work, he was known as "Robin Hood Paisa". He alleged once in an interview that his fortune came from a bicycle rental company he founded when he was 16 years old.{{sfn|Bowden|2001|pp=48–57}} | Despite the opposition and warnings of his partners, in 1982, he successfully entered the Colombian Congress. Although only an alternate, he was automatically granted parliamentary immunity and the right to a diplomatic passport under Colombian law. At the same time, Escobar was gradually becoming a public figure, and because of his charitable work, he was known as "Robin Hood Paisa". He alleged once in an interview that his fortune came from a bicycle rental company he founded when he was 16 years old.{{sfn|Bowden|2001|pp=48–57}} | ||
After of his election, Escobar was invited in 1982 to the inauguration of ], the third ] ] Spain, by the Spanish businessman ], who had important business dealings in Medellín.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eldebate.com/historia/20221028/dia-felipe-gonzalez-conocio-narco-pablo-escobar_69191.html |title=El día que Felipe González conoció al narco Pablo Escobar |date=28 October 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2022-10-28/felipe-gonzalez-pablo-escobar-1982_3513411/ |title=Cuando Pablo Escobar se coló en la fiesta de González: La noche electoral oculta del 82 |date=28 October 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/colombia/2021/09/26/la-carrera-politica-de-pablo-escobar-asi-fue-como-el-mas-sanguinario-narcotraficante-colombiano-trato-de-ser-presidente/ |title=La carrera política de Pablo Escobar: Así fue como el más sanguinario narcotraficante colombiano trató de ser presidente |date=26 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{ |
After of his election, Escobar was invited in 1982 to the inauguration of ], the third ] ] Spain, by the Spanish businessman ], who had important business dealings in Medellín.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eldebate.com/historia/20221028/dia-felipe-gonzalez-conocio-narco-pablo-escobar_69191.html |title=El día que Felipe González conoció al narco Pablo Escobar |date=28 October 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2022-10-28/felipe-gonzalez-pablo-escobar-1982_3513411/ |title=Cuando Pablo Escobar se coló en la fiesta de González: La noche electoral oculta del 82 |date=28 October 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/colombia/2021/09/26/la-carrera-politica-de-pablo-escobar-asi-fue-como-el-mas-sanguinario-narcotraficante-colombiano-trato-de-ser-presidente/ |title=La carrera política de Pablo Escobar: Así fue como el más sanguinario narcotraficante colombiano trató de ser presidente |date=26 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 December 2023 |url=https://www.lanuevaprensa.com.co/component/k2/cuando-pablo-escobar-me-presento-en-madrid-a-felipe-gonzalez-el-dia-que-gano-las-elecciones |title=Cuando Pablo Escobar me presentó en Madrid a Felipe González el día que ganó las elecciones |first=Gonzalo |last=Guillén |website=www.lanuevaprensa.com.co}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://diario16plus.com/nacional/felipe-gonzalez-y-el-dinero-de-los-carteles-colombianos-de-la-droga_185970_102.html |title=Felipe González y el dinero de los cárteles colombianos de la droga |date=13 March 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-iglesias-recuerda-felipe-gonzalez-conocio-narco-pablo-escobar-madrid-20161121210824.html |title=Iglesias recuerda que Felipe González conoció al 'narco' Pablo Escobar en Madrid |date=21 November 2016 }}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} | ||
] (center) and presidential candidate ] (left) were both assassinated by orders of Escobar.]] | ] (center) and presidential candidate ] (left) were both assassinated by orders of Escobar.]] | ||
In Congress, in 1983, the new Minister of Justice, ], had become Escobar's opponent, accusing Escobar of criminal activity from the first day of Congress. Lara, who had since denounced the infiltration of illicit money into Colombian politics and soccer teams,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/se-prendio-la-mecha/3618-3/ |title=Se Prendio la Mecha |date=19 September 1983 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-113559 |title=Rodrigo Lara: 10 Años |date=May 1994 }}</ref> accused him not only of being a drug trafficker but also of being the leader of the paramilitary group ] (MAS), created in 1981 to violently stop the onslaught of the ] guerrilla movement that had kidnapped Martha Nieves Ochoa, sister of his associates, and an attempted kidnapping of his partner Carlos Lehder who managed to escape wounded in the leg.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://verdadabierta.com/muerte-a-secuestradores-mas-los-origenes-del-paramilitarismo/ |title=Muerte a secuestradores MAS: Los orígenes del paramilitarismo |date=23 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{ |
In Congress, in 1983, the new Minister of Justice, ], had become Escobar's opponent, accusing Escobar of criminal activity from the first day of Congress. Lara, who had since denounced the infiltration of illicit money into Colombian politics and soccer teams,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/se-prendio-la-mecha/3618-3/ |title=Se Prendio la Mecha |date=19 September 1983 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-113559 |title=Rodrigo Lara: 10 Años |date=May 1994 }}</ref> accused him not only of being a drug trafficker but also of being the leader of the paramilitary group ] (MAS), created in 1981 to violently stop the onslaught of the ] guerrilla movement that had kidnapped Martha Nieves Ochoa, sister of his associates, and an attempted kidnapping of his partner Carlos Lehder who managed to escape wounded in the leg.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://verdadabierta.com/muerte-a-secuestradores-mas-los-origenes-del-paramilitarismo/ |title=Muerte a secuestradores MAS: Los orígenes del paramilitarismo |date=23 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comisiondelaverdad.co/el-mas-mito-fundacional-del-paramilitarismo|title=El MAS, mito fundacional del paramilitarismo|website=www.comisiondelaverdad.co}}</ref> Escobar secretly counterattacks alongside Jairo Ortega by showing a copy of a check from drug trafficker ] to Lara's Senate campaign,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Perspectivas Internacionales. Ciencia Política y Relaciones Internacionales |url=https://revistas.javerianacali.edu.co/index.php/perspectivasinternacionales/article/download/1224/1065/1528 |website=revistas.javerianacali.edu.co}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lafm.com.co/colombia/asi-fue-la-infame-defensa-de-pablo-escobar-cuando-lara-bonilla-lo-enfrento |title=Los ataques contra Rodrigo Lara Bonilla por enfrentar a Pablo Escobar |date=2 December 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/CMS-16519145 |title=¿Cuál es el origen del enfrentamiento entre Artunduaga y los Lara? |date=24 February 2016 }}</ref> in addition to challenging the minister to show evidence against him under penalty of being sued for slander and defamation. ], editor and owner of the newspaper '']'', seeing Escobar, sensed that he knew him from somewhere, so accompanied by ] and another reporter, they went to the disorganized archive of the newspaper and found the headline in which it was reported that Escobar together his cousin Gustavo Gaviria had been arrested for possessing coca paste.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-25 |title=Este es el artículo de El Espectador que reveló que Pablo Escobar era un narco |url=https://www.elespectador.com/judicial/este-es-el-articulo-de-el-espectador-que-revelo-que-pablo-escobar-era-un-narco/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref> | ||
] with which he was killed.]] | ] with which he was killed.]] | ||
Escobar's arrest in 1976 was investigated by Lara-Bonilla's subordinates, this confirmed in a ]'s September 5, 1983 report, on the U.S. television network ].<ref>{{cite book |last=Ehrenfeld |first=Rachel |title=Evil Money: the Inside Story of Money Laundering and Corruption in Government, Banks and Business |year=1994 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0suNIFdE2fgC |location=New York, NY |publisher=Shapolsky Publishers, Inc. |page=14 |isbn=1-56171-333-3 |access-date=April 13, 2015 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520025601/https://books.google.com/books?id=0suNIFdE2fgC |url-status=live }}</ref> A few months later, Escobar was publicly expelled from Congress and his visa to the United States was cancelled, while Judge Gustavo Zuluaga Serna issued an arrest warrant against Escobar for the murder of the two DAS agents who had captured him in 1976. At the same time, and with Lara's approval, the police, headed by Colonel ], together with the ] discovered and dismantled ], a complex of several cocaine processing laboratories owned by Rodríguez Gacha. Although Escobar fought back, he announced his retirement from politics in January 1984.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.noticiascaracol.com/colombia/la-sangrienta-venganza-de-pablo-escobar-contra-todos-los-que-ayudaron-a-desenmascararlo-rg10 |title=La sangrienta venganza de Pablo Escobar contra todos los que ayudaron a desenmascararlo |date=3 December 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/10/05/asi-fue-desmantelado-tranquilandia-el-primer-gran-laboratorio-de-droga-de-pablo-escobar/ |title=Así fue desmantelado Tranquilandia, el primer gran laboratorio de droga de Pablo Escobar |date=5 October 2023 }}</ref> Three months later, Lara-Bonilla, whose honor had previously been called into question and then vindicated, was murdered.{{sfn|Bowden|2001|pp=63–67}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.las2orillas.co/una-historia-sin-contar-de-rodrigo-lara-bonilla/ |title=Una historia sin contar de Rodrigo Lara Bonilla |date=March 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bejarano Guzmán |first=Ramiro |date=2024-05-05 |title=El hombre que dejamos solo |url=https://www.elespectador.com/opinion/columnistas/ramiro-bejarano-guzman/el-hombre-que-dejamos-solo/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |
Escobar's arrest in 1976 was investigated by Lara-Bonilla's subordinates, this confirmed in a ]'s September 5, 1983 report, on the U.S. television network ].<ref>{{cite book |last=Ehrenfeld |first=Rachel |title=Evil Money: the Inside Story of Money Laundering and Corruption in Government, Banks and Business |year=1994 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0suNIFdE2fgC |location=New York, NY |publisher=Shapolsky Publishers, Inc. |page=14 |isbn=1-56171-333-3 |access-date=April 13, 2015 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520025601/https://books.google.com/books?id=0suNIFdE2fgC |url-status=live }}</ref> A few months later, Escobar was publicly expelled from Congress and his visa to the United States was cancelled, while Judge Gustavo Zuluaga Serna issued an arrest warrant against Escobar for the murder of the two DAS agents who had captured him in 1976. At the same time, and with Lara's approval, the police, headed by Colonel ], together with the ] discovered and dismantled ], a complex of several cocaine processing laboratories owned by Rodríguez Gacha. Although Escobar fought back, he announced his retirement from politics in January 1984.<ref name="noticiascaracol.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.noticiascaracol.com/colombia/la-sangrienta-venganza-de-pablo-escobar-contra-todos-los-que-ayudaron-a-desenmascararlo-rg10 |title=La sangrienta venganza de Pablo Escobar contra todos los que ayudaron a desenmascararlo |date=3 December 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/10/05/asi-fue-desmantelado-tranquilandia-el-primer-gran-laboratorio-de-droga-de-pablo-escobar/ |title=Así fue desmantelado Tranquilandia, el primer gran laboratorio de droga de Pablo Escobar |date=5 October 2023 }}</ref> Three months later, Lara-Bonilla, whose honor had previously been called into question and then vindicated, was murdered.{{sfn|Bowden|2001|pp=63–67}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.las2orillas.co/una-historia-sin-contar-de-rodrigo-lara-bonilla/ |title=Una historia sin contar de Rodrigo Lara Bonilla |date=March 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bejarano Guzmán |first=Ramiro |date=2024-05-05 |title=El hombre que dejamos solo |url=https://www.elespectador.com/opinion/columnistas/ramiro-bejarano-guzman/el-hombre-que-dejamos-solo/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref> | ||
===War against drugs and narcoterrorism=== | ===War against drugs and narcoterrorism=== | ||
{{blockquote| Colombia will hand over criminals requested by the Crime Commission in other countries; so that they are punished in an exemplary manner, in this universal operation against an attack that is also universal.|President ]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1984/05/02/internacional/452296806_850215.html |title=El presidente Betancur declara la guerra a los traficantes de drogas en Colombia tras el asesinato del ministro de Justicia |newspaper=El País |date=2 May 1984 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/muerte-anunciada/5241-3/ |title=Muerte Anunciada |date=June 4, 1984 }}</ref>}} | {{blockquote| Colombia will hand over criminals requested by the Crime Commission in other countries; so that they are punished in an exemplary manner, in this universal operation against an attack that is also universal.|President ]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1984/05/02/internacional/452296806_850215.html |title=El presidente Betancur declara la guerra a los traficantes de drogas en Colombia tras el asesinato del ministro de Justicia |newspaper=El País |date=2 May 1984 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/muerte-anunciada/5241-3/ |title=Muerte Anunciada |date=June 4, 1984 }}</ref>}} | ||
President Belisario Betancur, who had previously opposed the extradition of Colombians, decided to authorize it, triggering a series of police operations to capture members of the Medellín Cartel. The main leaders of the Cartel had to take refuge in Panama and tried, in May 1984, to talk with former President ], who was acting as an electoral observer in the elections in ], at the Hilton Hotel in ] in a last attempt to approach the government, denying their authorship of the murder of the minister but offering to surrender on condition of not extraditing them. Their failure was due to the fact that the talks had been leaked to the press. Months later, they returned clandestinely to Colombia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alarcón |first=Óscar |date=2021-07-06 |title=Los narcos en Panamá |url=https://www.elespectador.com/opinion/columnistas/oscar-alarcon/los-narcos-en-panama/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/10/10/la-relacion-de-pablo-escobar-y-manuel-antonio-noriega-desde-panama-negocio-un-tratado-de-paz-vio-nacer-a-su-hija-y-tuvo-cedula/ |title=La relación de Pablo Escobar y Manuel Antonio Noriega: Desde Panamá negoció un tratado de paz, vio nacer a su hija y tuvo cédula |date=10 October 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-270722 |title=Escobar: 17 Años de Historia del Criminal |date=2 December 1993 }}</ref> | President Belisario Betancur, who had previously opposed the extradition of Colombians, decided to authorize it, triggering a series of police operations to capture members of the Medellín Cartel. The main leaders of the Cartel had to take refuge in Panama and tried, in May 1984, to talk with former President ], who was acting as an electoral observer in the elections in ], at the Hilton Hotel in ] in a last attempt to approach the government, denying their authorship of the murder of the minister but offering to surrender on condition of not extraditing them. Their failure was due to the fact that the talks had been leaked to the press. Months later, they returned clandestinely to Colombia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alarcón |first=Óscar |date=2021-07-06 |title=Los narcos en Panamá |url=https://www.elespectador.com/opinion/columnistas/oscar-alarcon/los-narcos-en-panama/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/10/10/la-relacion-de-pablo-escobar-y-manuel-antonio-noriega-desde-panama-negocio-un-tratado-de-paz-vio-nacer-a-su-hija-y-tuvo-cedula/ |title=La relación de Pablo Escobar y Manuel Antonio Noriega: Desde Panamá negoció un tratado de paz, vio nacer a su hija y tuvo cédula |date=10 October 2023 }}</ref><ref name="eltiempo.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-270722 |title=Escobar: 17 Años de Historia del Criminal |date=2 December 1993 }}</ref> | ||
In November 1984, Los Extraditables detonated a car bomb in front of the US embassy in Bogotá, killing one person.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/economia/articulo/carro-bomba-en-la-embajada/6073-3 |title=Carro-Bomba en la Embajada |date=31 December 1984 }}</ref> A year after the murder of Lara Bonilla, despite the government's announcements to combat them, the drug traffickers of the Medellín Cartel, now renamed ], remained unpunished, expanding their criminal apparatus across large areas of the country and opening new cocaine trafficking routes through Nicaragua and Cuba. All of this in collusion with some sectors of the public forces, bought off with money and terror. In the fall of 1985, the wanted Escobar requested the Colombian government to allow his conditional surrender without extradition to the United States. The proposal was initially rejected, The ''Los Extraditable'' Organization was subsequently accused of participating in an effort to prevent the Colombian Supreme Court from studying the constitutionality of Colombia's extradition treaty with the United States.<ref>{{ |
In November 1984, Los Extraditables detonated a car bomb in front of the US embassy in Bogotá, killing one person.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/economia/articulo/carro-bomba-en-la-embajada/6073-3 |title=Carro-Bomba en la Embajada |date=31 December 1984 }}</ref> A year after the murder of Lara Bonilla, despite the government's announcements to combat them, the drug traffickers of the Medellín Cartel, now renamed ], remained unpunished, expanding their criminal apparatus across large areas of the country and opening new cocaine trafficking routes through Nicaragua and Cuba. All of this in collusion with some sectors of the public forces, bought off with money and terror. In the fall of 1985, the wanted Escobar requested the Colombian government to allow his conditional surrender without extradition to the United States. The proposal was initially rejected, The ''Los Extraditable'' Organization was subsequently accused of participating in an effort to prevent the Colombian Supreme Court from studying the constitutionality of Colombia's extradition treaty with the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.elnuevosiglo.com.co/nacion/exaliado-de-escobar-narra-presuntos-tratos-con-cuba-y-los-sandinistas |title=Exaliado de Escobar narra presuntos tratos con Cuba y los sandinistas |website=El Nuevo Siglo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/es/minuto-a-minuto/20240115-un-exaliado-de-pablo-escobar-narra-supuestos-negocios-con-cuba-y-los-sandinistas |title=Un exaliado de Pablo Escobar narra supuestos negocios con Cuba y los sandinistas |date=15 January 2024}}</ref> | ||
The Colombian judiciary had been a target of Escobar throughout the mid-1980s. While bribing and murdering several judges; beginning in June 1985, Los Extraditables ordered the death of Judge Tulio Manuel Castro Gil, in charge of investigating the Lara Bonilla murder.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-02 |title=El juez que se atrevió a señalar a los asesinos de Rodrigo Lara Bonilla |url=https://www.elespectador.com/judicial/caso-rodrigo-lara-la-viuda-del-juez-que-sono-con-una-familia-de-profesionales/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-198150 |title=Condena en Caso Castro Gil |date=17 August 1994 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/especiales-editoriales/articulo/una-persona-para-el-pais-que-necesitamos/202046/ |title=Una persona para el país que necesitamos |date=16 January 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rcnradio.com/colombia/familia-reclama-que-crimen-de-juez-que-investigo-pablo-escobar-sea-de-lesa |title=Juez que investigó a Pablo Escobar: Piden declarar lesa humanidad |date=23 July 2021 }}</ref><ref name="noticiascaracol.com">{{ |
The Colombian judiciary had been a target of Escobar throughout the mid-1980s. While bribing and murdering several judges; beginning in June 1985, Los Extraditables ordered the death of Judge Tulio Manuel Castro Gil, in charge of investigating the Lara Bonilla murder.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-02 |title=El juez que se atrevió a señalar a los asesinos de Rodrigo Lara Bonilla |url=https://www.elespectador.com/judicial/caso-rodrigo-lara-la-viuda-del-juez-que-sono-con-una-familia-de-profesionales/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-198150 |title=Condena en Caso Castro Gil |date=17 August 1994 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/especiales-editoriales/articulo/una-persona-para-el-pais-que-necesitamos/202046/ |title=Una persona para el país que necesitamos |date=16 January 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rcnradio.com/colombia/familia-reclama-que-crimen-de-juez-que-investigo-pablo-escobar-sea-de-lesa |title=Juez que investigó a Pablo Escobar: Piden declarar lesa humanidad |date=23 July 2021 }}</ref><ref name="noticiascaracol.com"/>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} According to reports, Escobar, who was at war with the guerrillas after the MAS episode, approached the M-19 through negotiations with ]. According to some reports, it is believed that he was aware of the ] due to the threats made by Los Extraditables to the magistrates of the courts and because he offered economic support for the operation, which was not accepted by the former M-19 militants, since the operation, according to them, had political objectives.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-17 |title=La toma del Palacio no fue por orden de Pablo Escobar, dicen exmiembros del M-19 |url=https://www.elespectador.com/colombia-20/paz-y-memoria/la-toma-del-palacio-no-fue-por-orden-de-pablo-escobar-dicen-exmiembros-del-m-19-article/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref> The existence of copies of the files and the extradition requests in the foreign ministry, American courts and the American embassy disproves that the burning of files was the reason for the guerrilla operation.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://pares.com.co/2020/11/04/palacio-de-justicia-35-anos-de-ignominia/ |title=Palacio de Justicia: 35 años de ignominia |date=4 November 2020 }}</ref> The operation was authorized by ] and took place between November 6 and 7, 1985, resulting in 94 dead and the disappearance of 11 people during the retaking of the Palace by the Public Force.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2015/11/151030_colombia_30_aniversario_toma_palacio_de_justicia_nc |title=A 30 años de las "28 horas de terror": Así fue la toma del Palacio de Justicia en Colombia |date=5 November 2015 }}</ref> | ||
The Cartel's campaign of assassinations against its enemies in the Government and those who supported the extradition treaty, made effective in January 1985 with the sending of the first captured to the United States<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 2, 2012 |title=La mano de la mafia en Budapest |url=https://www.elespectador.com/investigacion/la-mano-de-la-mafia-en-budapest-article-364557/ |website=elespectador.com}}</ref> by the newly appointed Minister of Justice ], replacing the murdered Lara, and all those who denounced their business and mafia networks. The Extraditables assassinated, in February 1986, in ], ], the pilot and witness before the American justice system ];<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/10/17/barry-seal-el-piloto-norteamericano-que-revelo-los-negocios-de-pablo-escobar-en-nicaragua/ |title=Barry Seal, el piloto norteamericano que reveló los negocios de Pablo Escobar en Nicaragua |date=17 October 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/barry-seal-el-piloto-que-trabajo-para-la-cia-fue-narcotraficante-e-informante-de-la-dea-y-murio-nid11042022/ |title=Barry Seal, el piloto que trabajó para la CIA, fue narcotraficante e informante de la DEA y murió asesinado por orden de Pablo Escobar |date=11 April 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/colombia/2019/02/16/barry-seal-el-piloto-traficante-que-creyo-ser-mas-inteligente-que-el-cartel-de-medellin/ |title=Barry Seal, el piloto traficante que creyó ser más inteligente que el Cartel de Medellín |date=16 February 2019 }}</ref> in July, the magistrate Hernando Baquero Borda, rapporteur of the Extradition Treaty in 1980,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-359222 |title=Indemnizan a Familia de Baquero Borda |date=16 February 1996 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Escobar Moreno |first=David |date=2020-04-13 |title=Hernando Baquero, un magistrado en el olvido |url=https://www.elespectador.com/judicial/hernando-baquero-un-magistrado-en-el-olvido-article-646903/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language= |
The Cartel's campaign of assassinations against its enemies in the Government and those who supported the extradition treaty, made effective in January 1985 with the sending of the first captured to the United States<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 2, 2012 |title=La mano de la mafia en Budapest |url=https://www.elespectador.com/investigacion/la-mano-de-la-mafia-en-budapest-article-364557/ |website=elespectador.com}}</ref> by the newly appointed Minister of Justice ], replacing the murdered Lara, and all those who denounced their business and mafia networks. The Extraditables assassinated, in February 1986, in ], ], the pilot and witness before the American justice system ];<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/10/17/barry-seal-el-piloto-norteamericano-que-revelo-los-negocios-de-pablo-escobar-en-nicaragua/ |title=Barry Seal, el piloto norteamericano que reveló los negocios de Pablo Escobar en Nicaragua |date=17 October 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/barry-seal-el-piloto-que-trabajo-para-la-cia-fue-narcotraficante-e-informante-de-la-dea-y-murio-nid11042022/ |title=Barry Seal, el piloto que trabajó para la CIA, fue narcotraficante e informante de la DEA y murió asesinado por orden de Pablo Escobar |date=11 April 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/colombia/2019/02/16/barry-seal-el-piloto-traficante-que-creyo-ser-mas-inteligente-que-el-cartel-de-medellin/ |title=Barry Seal, el piloto traficante que creyó ser más inteligente que el Cartel de Medellín |date=16 February 2019 }}</ref> in July, the magistrate Hernando Baquero Borda, rapporteur of the Extradition Treaty in 1980,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-359222 |title=Indemnizan a Familia de Baquero Borda |date=16 February 1996 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Escobar Moreno |first=David |date=2020-04-13 |title=Hernando Baquero, un magistrado en el olvido |url=https://www.elespectador.com/judicial/hernando-baquero-un-magistrado-en-el-olvido-article-646903/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/economia/articulo/cruel-despedida/8038-3/ |title=Cruel Despedida |date=September 1986 }}</ref> and the journalist of El Espectador Roberto Camacho Prada;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Camacho |first=Roberto J. |date=2010-07-19 |title=El homicidio de Roberto Camacho |url=https://www.elespectador.com/opinion/columnistas/roberto-j-camacho/el-homicidio-de-roberto-camacho-column-214007/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref> and on August 18, already with the new president of Colombia ], the captain of the anti-narcotics police Luis Alfredo Macana.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/enfant-terrible/8094-3/ |title=Enfant Terrible, Sección Economía, edición 225, Sep 22 1986 |date=22 September 1986 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-60242 |title=Frustran Fuga Masiva en la Picota |date=21 September 1990 }}</ref> | ||
In September 1986, Los Extraditables ordered the murder of Diario Occidente journalist Raúl Echavarría Barrientos.<ref>{{ |
In September 1986, Los Extraditables ordered the murder of Diario Occidente journalist Raúl Echavarría Barrientos.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://flip.org.co/pronunciamientos/raul-echavarria-barrientos-el-periodista-que-lucho-contra-el-narcotrafico|title=Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa|website=flip.org.co}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.elnuevosiglo.com.co/columnistas/visionarios |title=Visionarios |website=El Nuevo Siglo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-566770 |title=En la Impunidad, Crímenes de Periodistas |date=22 March 1997 }}</ref><ref name="eltiempo.com"/> In September 1986, motorized hitmen killed Judge Zuluaga Serna.<ref name="noticiascaracol.com"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.elcolombiano.com/medellin-es-mas-que-pablo-escobar/asesinato-juez-gustavo-zuluaga |title=Asesinato del juez Zuluaga, el primero que pidió captura de Escobar|website=www.elcolombiano.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-05-23 |title=Asesinado magistrado de Medellín |url=https://www.elespectador.com/especiales/asesinado-magistrado-de-medellin-348079/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref> | ||
]'', one of the oldest in America, maintained a severe attitude against drug trafficking and was the one who revealed details of Escobar's criminal life after his arrival at the House of Representatives in 1982. Its director, Guillermo Cano, was shot by orders of the boss in 1986. Its facilities (in the image) were half-destroyed by a car bomb in September 1989, also by orders of Escobar.]] | ]'', one of the oldest in America, maintained a severe attitude against drug trafficking and was the one who revealed details of Escobar's criminal life after his arrival at the House of Representatives in 1982. Its director, Guillermo Cano, was shot by orders of the boss in 1986. Its facilities (in the image) were half-destroyed by a car bomb in September 1989, also by orders of Escobar.]] | ||
In October 1986, anti-narcotics police colonel Jaime Ramírez Gómez was killed after returning to Bogotá from a weekend trip with his family.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/quien-mato-al-coronel-ramirez/8791-3/ |title=¿Quien Mato al Coronel Ramirez? |date=13 April 1987 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.noticiascaracol.com/antioquia/asi-recuerda-su-familia-al-coronel-jaime-ramirez-quien-combatio-como-ninguno-al-narcotrafico |title=Así recuerda su familia al coronel Jaime Ramírez, quien combatió como ninguno al narcotráfico |date=3 December 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-24 |title=El héroe de la Policía Antinarcóticos |url=https://www.elespectador.com/investigacion/el-heroe-de-la-policia-antinarcoticos-article-362373/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref> On December 17, 1986, Guillermo Cano, editor of ''El Espectador'' newspaper, was killed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/02/09/el-estado-le-pedira-perdon-a-guillermo-cano-por-su-asesinato-en-1986/ |title=Así fue el homicidio de Guillermo Cano por el cual el Gobierno Petro pidió perdón en nombre del Estado |date=9 February 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cardona |first=Jorge |date=2024-02-09 |title=Cronología de un crimen sin respuesta: todo sobre el asesinato de Guillermo Cano|url=https://www.elespectador.com/judicial/cronologia-de-un-crimen-sin-respuesta-todo-sobre-el-asesinato-de-guillermo-cano/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://elpais.com/america-colombia/2024-02-09/el-estado-pide-perdon-a-la-familia-de-guillermo-cano-por-no-haber-garantizado-su-vida.html | title=El Estado pide perdón a la familia de Guillermo Cano por no haber garantizado su vida | date=9 February 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rodríguez |first=Rodolfo |date=2012-07-27 |title="Don Guillermo Cano murió en mis brazos" |url=https://www.elespectador.com/investigacion/don-guillermo-cano-murio-en-mis-brazos-article-363360/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref> In January 1987, Escobar's hitmen attacked Parejo González, former Minister of Justice in ] and at the time Colombian ambassador to ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/justicia/investigacion/atentado-contra-exministro-enrique-parejo-es-delito-de-lesa-humanidad-345840 |title=Atentado contra exministro Enrique Parejo es delito de lesa humanidad |date=4 April 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.noticiasrcn.com/colombia/declaran-delito-de-lesa-humanidad-el-atentado-contra-el-exministro-enrique-parejo-338396 |title=Declaran delito de lesa humanidad el atentado contra el exministro Enrique Parejo |date=4 April 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{ |
In October 1986, anti-narcotics police colonel Jaime Ramírez Gómez was killed after returning to Bogotá from a weekend trip with his family.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/quien-mato-al-coronel-ramirez/8791-3/ |title=¿Quien Mato al Coronel Ramirez? |date=13 April 1987 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.noticiascaracol.com/antioquia/asi-recuerda-su-familia-al-coronel-jaime-ramirez-quien-combatio-como-ninguno-al-narcotrafico |title=Así recuerda su familia al coronel Jaime Ramírez, quien combatió como ninguno al narcotráfico |date=3 December 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-24 |title=El héroe de la Policía Antinarcóticos |url=https://www.elespectador.com/investigacion/el-heroe-de-la-policia-antinarcoticos-article-362373/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref> On December 17, 1986, Guillermo Cano, editor of ''El Espectador'' newspaper, was killed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/02/09/el-estado-le-pedira-perdon-a-guillermo-cano-por-su-asesinato-en-1986/ |title=Así fue el homicidio de Guillermo Cano por el cual el Gobierno Petro pidió perdón en nombre del Estado |date=9 February 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cardona |first=Jorge |date=2024-02-09 |title=Cronología de un crimen sin respuesta: todo sobre el asesinato de Guillermo Cano|url=https://www.elespectador.com/judicial/cronologia-de-un-crimen-sin-respuesta-todo-sobre-el-asesinato-de-guillermo-cano/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://elpais.com/america-colombia/2024-02-09/el-estado-pide-perdon-a-la-familia-de-guillermo-cano-por-no-haber-garantizado-su-vida.html | title=El Estado pide perdón a la familia de Guillermo Cano por no haber garantizado su vida | date=9 February 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rodríguez |first=Rodolfo |date=2012-07-27 |title="Don Guillermo Cano murió en mis brazos" |url=https://www.elespectador.com/investigacion/don-guillermo-cano-murio-en-mis-brazos-article-363360/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref> In January 1987, Escobar's hitmen attacked Parejo González, former Minister of Justice in ] and at the time Colombian ambassador to ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/justicia/investigacion/atentado-contra-exministro-enrique-parejo-es-delito-de-lesa-humanidad-345840 |title=Atentado contra exministro Enrique Parejo es delito de lesa humanidad |date=4 April 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.noticiasrcn.com/colombia/declaran-delito-de-lesa-humanidad-el-atentado-contra-el-exministro-enrique-parejo-338396 |title=Declaran delito de lesa humanidad el atentado contra el exministro Enrique Parejo |date=4 April 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radionacional.co/cultura/declaran-como-crimen-de-lesa-humanidad-atentado-exministro-enrique-parejo|title=Declaran como crimen de lesa humanidad atentado a Enrique Parejo|website=www.radionacional.co}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.facebook.com/LosInformantesTV/videos/2021-august-parejo-a-pruebas-de-balas/207221634701914/%5B%5D |title=Parejo a pruebas de balas {{!}} #LosInformantes {{!}} El exministro de Justicia y embajador de Colombia en Budapest, Enrique Parejo, narra los detalles de su atentado cuando un sicario de... {{!}} By Los Informantes {{!}} Facebook |language=en |access-date=2024-11-22 |via=www.facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=La 'mafia' de la droga atenta contra un embajador colombiano |newspaper=El País |date=14 January 1987 |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1987/01/14/internacional/537577225_850215.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rcnradio.com/judicial/declaran-como-delito-de-lesa-humanidad-atentado-contra-el-exministro-enrique-parejo |title=Atentado contra exministro Enrique Parejo, declarado de lesa humanidad |date=4 April 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lafm.com.co/judicial/atentado-contra-enrique-parejo-es-ahora-un-delito-de-lesa-humanidad |title=Atentado contra Enrique Parejo es ahora un delito de lesa humanidad |date=5 April 2019 }}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} | ||
In late 1986, Colombia's Supreme Court declared the previous extradition treaty illegal due to being signed by a presidential delegation, not the president. Escobar's victory over the judiciary was short-lived.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://historico.elpais.com.co/paisonline/notas/Noviembre162006/pablo.html |newspaper=El Pais |title=Cali Colombia Nacional Pablo Escobar financió la toma del Palacio de Justicia Escobar financió toma del Palacio de Justicia |access-date=12 September 2015 |archive-date=24 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024175428/http://historico.elpais.com.co/paisonline/notas/Noviembre162006/pablo.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Bowden|2001|pp=82–85}} It is believed that Escobar was the one who betrayed Lehder, causing his capture on February 4, 1987. However, unexpectedly, Lehder was extradited to the United States.Escobar and the rest of the leadership, aware of the danger that extradition represented for their interests and determined to fight it, reinforced their military and economic apparatus and set about collecting considerable resources from all drug traffickers, even from those who were not part of their group, in order to finance the foreseeable escalation of violence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/01/15/en-el-libro-del-exnarcotraficante-carlos-lehder-cuales-relatos-son-verdad-o-mentira/ |title=La traición de Pablo Escobar y la financiación de un candidato presidencial: Qué es verdad y qué está en duda de las afirmaciones de Carlos Lehder |date=15 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elpais.com.co/colombia/traicion-y-condena-carlos-lehder-revelo-como-fue-que-termino-en-una-carcel-en-ee-uu-por-culpa-de-pablo-escobar-1433.html |title=Traición y condena: Carlos Lehder reveló cómo fue que terminó en una cárcel en EE. UU. Por culpa de Pablo Escobar |date=14 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/01/16/carlos-lehder-se-refirio-al-odio-de-pablo-escobar-por-rodrigo-lara-era-alergico-a-que-se-pronunciara-su-nombre/ |title=Carlos Lehder se refirió al odio de Pablo Escobar por Rodrigo Lara, a quien ordenó asesinar: "Era alérgico a que se pronunciara su nombre" |date=16 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rcnradio.com/colombia/carlos-lehder-hablo-de-la-traicion-de-pablo-escobar-que-lo-llevo-a-la-carcel-el-cain |title=Carlos Lehder y Pablo Escobar: Así fue la traición del Cartel |date=14 January 2024 }}</ref> | In late 1986, Colombia's Supreme Court declared the previous extradition treaty illegal due to being signed by a presidential delegation, not the president. Escobar's victory over the judiciary was short-lived.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://historico.elpais.com.co/paisonline/notas/Noviembre162006/pablo.html |newspaper=El Pais |title=Cali Colombia Nacional Pablo Escobar financió la toma del Palacio de Justicia Escobar financió toma del Palacio de Justicia |access-date=12 September 2015 |archive-date=24 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024175428/http://historico.elpais.com.co/paisonline/notas/Noviembre162006/pablo.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Bowden|2001|pp=82–85}} It is believed that Escobar was the one who betrayed Lehder, causing his capture on February 4, 1987. However, unexpectedly, Lehder was extradited to the United States.Escobar and the rest of the leadership, aware of the danger that extradition represented for their interests and determined to fight it, reinforced their military and economic apparatus and set about collecting considerable resources from all drug traffickers, even from those who were not part of their group, in order to finance the foreseeable escalation of violence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/01/15/en-el-libro-del-exnarcotraficante-carlos-lehder-cuales-relatos-son-verdad-o-mentira/ |title=La traición de Pablo Escobar y la financiación de un candidato presidencial: Qué es verdad y qué está en duda de las afirmaciones de Carlos Lehder |date=15 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elpais.com.co/colombia/traicion-y-condena-carlos-lehder-revelo-como-fue-que-termino-en-una-carcel-en-ee-uu-por-culpa-de-pablo-escobar-1433.html |title=Traición y condena: Carlos Lehder reveló cómo fue que terminó en una cárcel en EE. UU. Por culpa de Pablo Escobar |date=14 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/01/16/carlos-lehder-se-refirio-al-odio-de-pablo-escobar-por-rodrigo-lara-era-alergico-a-que-se-pronunciara-su-nombre/ |title=Carlos Lehder se refirió al odio de Pablo Escobar por Rodrigo Lara, a quien ordenó asesinar: "Era alérgico a que se pronunciara su nombre" |date=16 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rcnradio.com/colombia/carlos-lehder-hablo-de-la-traicion-de-pablo-escobar-que-lo-llevo-a-la-carcel-el-cain |title=Carlos Lehder y Pablo Escobar: Así fue la traición del Cartel |date=14 January 2024 }}</ref> | ||
===War between drug cartels=== | ===War between drug cartels=== | ||
Although both cartels maintained a cordial relationship, the origin of the war between the Medellin and Cali cartels has varied origins. One version suggests disagreement with the violent methods used by Escobar. Added to this, the Cali Cartel opposed a "war quota" against the government by refusing to pay for it. Another version suggests the Cali Cartel's zeal to take control of the drug market in ] and ] since it currently monopolized drug trafficking in ], according to a DEA analysis.<ref>{{ |
Although both cartels maintained a cordial relationship, the origin of the war between the Medellin and Cali cartels has varied origins. One version suggests disagreement with the violent methods used by Escobar. Added to this, the Cali Cartel opposed a "war quota" against the government by refusing to pay for it. Another version suggests the Cali Cartel's zeal to take control of the drug market in ] and ] since it currently monopolized drug trafficking in ], according to a DEA analysis.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19910701,00.html |title=TIME Magazine Cover: Inside the Cocaine Business – July 1, 1991 |website=TIME.com}}</ref> another version suggests that the Cali Cartel informed on ], Escobar's partner, while Ochoa was in ], ]. This has been denied since Ochoa and ] had shared a cell in ] where they were to be extradited to the United States, but both were repatriated to Colombia where they served meager prison sentences.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-10 |title=Capturados en España y absueltos en Colombia |url=https://www.elespectador.com/judicial/capturados-en-espana-y-absueltos-en-colombia-article-360997/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-10269 |title=A Punto de Ser Extraditado DOS Veces |date=16 January 1991 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/cero-van-dos/9694-3/ |title=Cero y Van Dos, Sección Nación, edición 290, Dec 21 1987 |date=21 December 1987 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Nación Pierde Pleito Por Libertad de Ochoa |date=21 February 1994 |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-50624}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dos de los jefes mafiosos colombianos detenidos querían 'blanquear' sus ingresos en España, según la policía |newspaper=El País |date=23 November 1984 |url= https://elpais.com/diario/1984/11/23/madrid/470060654_850215.html}}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} According to ] 'Popeye', a hitman for the Medellín Cartel, the dispute between the two sides began due to disputes between employees of Pablo Escobar and Hélmer Herrera: | ||
{{blockquote|The war began with a love affair between "Piña" and Jorge Elí "El Negro" Pabón. "El Negro" Pabón was a man very loyal to Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria and Alejo Piña was a man of "Pacho" Herrera, both had been friends in a New York prison, but when El Negro got out of prison, he found out that Piña was living with his former wife, El Negro spoke with the boss and they agreed that Piña had to be killed; As the Medellín Cartel killed Hugo Hernán Valencia, a man who had had a problem with Gilberto Rodríguez, we asked the Rodríguez family to return the favor, to let us kill Piña or for them to take care of him themselves, with their people. We did not know about the economic and military power of "Pacho" Herrera. The Rodríguez family, instead of explaining this to their boss, went directly to tell ] that the Medellín Cartel wanted to kill Piña, and that's when war broke out.| Jhon Jairo Velásquez 'Popeye'<ref>https:// |
{{blockquote|The war began with a love affair between "Piña" and Jorge Elí "El Negro" Pabón. "El Negro" Pabón was a man very loyal to Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria and Alejo Piña was a man of "Pacho" Herrera, both had been friends in a New York prison, but when El Negro got out of prison, he found out that Piña was living with his former wife, El Negro spoke with the boss and they agreed that Piña had to be killed; As the Medellín Cartel killed Hugo Hernán Valencia, a man who had had a problem with Gilberto Rodríguez, we asked the Rodríguez family to return the favor, to let us kill Piña or for them to take care of him themselves, with their people. We did not know about the economic and military power of "Pacho" Herrera. The Rodríguez family, instead of explaining this to their boss, went directly to tell ] that the Medellín Cartel wanted to kill Piña, and that's when war broke out.| Jhon Jairo Velásquez 'Popeye'<ref>{{Cite web |author=Daniel Vivas Barandica |date=22 August 2014 |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/CMS-14425556 |title=Entrevista de la edición 16 de BOCAS con John Jairo Velásquez Vásquez, 'Popeye', desde la cárcel |trans-title=Interview of the 16th edition of BOCAS with John Jairo Velásquez Vásquez, 'Popeye', from prison |website=El Tiempo |language=es}}</ref>}} | ||
Hugo Hernán Valencia and Pablo Correa Arroyave were the main money launderers for the Cartel. Both had a feud with the heads of the Cali Cartel and the latter had asked Escobar to do them a favor by killing them. But when the Cali Cartel refused to kill Piña, Escobar allowed Pabón to kill Piña. In retaliation, on January 13, 1988, 'Pacho' Herrera ordered his men to place a car bomb at the Monaco tower in the ] sector of Medellín, where Escobar's family resided.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/el-que-falta/26470-3/ |title=El Que Falta, Sección Nación, edición 693, Sep 11 1995 |date=11 September 1995 |
Hugo Hernán Valencia and Pablo Correa Arroyave were the main money launderers for the Cartel. Both had a feud with the heads of the Cali Cartel and the latter had asked Escobar to do them a favor by killing them. But when the Cali Cartel refused to kill Piña, Escobar allowed Pabón to kill Piña. In retaliation, on January 13, 1988, 'Pacho' Herrera ordered his men to place a car bomb at the Monaco tower in the ] sector of Medellín, where Escobar's family resided.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/el-que-falta/26470-3/ |title=El Que Falta, Sección Nación, edición 693, Sep 11 1995 |date=11 September 1995}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=¿Quien Fue? |url=https://www.semana.com/quien-fue/9886-3/ |date=15 February 1988}}</ref> The attack left a large crater and killed three people. Among the wounded was Manuela Escobar, Escobar's daughter, who had hearing damage in one of her ears. None of the residents were killed.<ref>{{cite web |title=El día en que el Cartel de Cali intentó matar a toda la familia de Pablo Escobar |url=https://www.meganoticias.cl/mundo/313122-pablo-escobar-atentado-cartel-medellin-edificio-monaco-colombia-rpx04.html |website=Meganoticias |access-date=24 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730094428/https://www.meganoticias.cl/mundo/313122-pablo-escobar-atentado-cartel-medellin-edificio-monaco-colombia-rpx04.html |archive-date=30 July 2021 |date=10 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Edificio Mónaco |url=https://www.elcolombiano.com/medellin-es-mas-que-pablo-escobar/edificio-monaco |website=El Colombiano |access-date=24 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=El primer carrobomba de Colombia explotó un día como hoy, 13 de enero, en 1988 en Medellín. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDJ4KW2NjrU |website=YouTube |date=13 January 2024 |publisher=Vita TV Producciones |access-date=24 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/vuelve-juega/14050-3/ |title=VUELVE y JUEGA, Sección Especiales, edición 439, Oct 29 1990 |date=29 October 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/medellin/recorrido-por-el-edificio-monaco-de-pablo-escobar-en-medellin-249268 |title=Un recorrido por las entrañas del edificio Mónaco, de Pablo Escobar |date=29 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/cultura/gente/pablo-escobar-la-historia-de-la-bomba-en-el-edificio-monaco-que-desato-una-guerra-831619 |title=Pablo Escobar: La historia de la bomba en el edificio Mónaco que desató una guerra |date=December 2023}}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} In retaliation, hitmen from the Medellin Cartel attacked the businesses and properties of the Cali Cartel. On February 18, 1988, a branch of La Rebaja Pharmacies in Medellin,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/06/12/drogas-la-rebaja-la-cadena-de-farmacias-con-la-que-se-lavaba-dinero-del-narcotrafico-y-que-ahora-es-parte-del-estado-en-colombia/ |title=Drogas la Rebaja: La cadena de farmacias con la que se lavaba dinero del narcotráfico y que ahora es parte del Estado en Colombia |date=12 June 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/salud/articulo/la-guerra-entre-carteles-y-la-oscura-historia-de-drogas-la-rebaja-cadena-de-farmacias-que-apoyara-reforma-a-la-salud/202352/ |title=La guerra entre carteles y la oscura historia de Drogas la Rebaja, cadena de farmacias que apoyará reforma a la salud |date=13 June 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.las2orillas.co/drogas-la-rebaja-fue-la-idea-de-los-narcos-mas-asesinos-de-colombia/ |title=Drogas la Rebaja, el negocio que se inventaron los narcos más asesinos de Colombia |date=29 April 2022}}</ref> followed by nearly 40 dynamite attacks against the drugstores, and 10 more against the Colombian Radio Group, both belonging to the Rodríguez Orejuela family.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-339211 |title=Los de Cali Tenian Pinchado a Escobar |date=5 June 1995 }}</ref><ref name="auto6"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-64400 |title=Estupor Por la Masacre |date=27 September 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elpais.com.co/judicial/en-cali-aun-hay-cicatrices-de-la-guerra-entre-carteles-del-narcotrafico.html |title=En Cali aún hay cicatrices de la guerra entre carteles del narcotráfico |date=December 2013 }}</ref> 1988 marked the beginning of espionage and counterespionage offensives. First, Escobar set up an intelligence operation against the Cali Cartel. The Rodríguez Orejuela family, in turn, hired five retired military officers to form an espionage service against Escobar. Escobar discovered them and kidnapped them. The Cali Cartel then made a peace proposal, to which Escobar set two conditions: Compensation of 5 million dollars for the attack on the Monaco building, and the surrender of Pacho Herrera, Escobar's staunch enemy. Gilberto Rodríguez refused to surrender and the five ex-military men were found dead a few days later with a sign that read "Members of the Cali Cartel executed for attempting to attack people from Medellín."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/colombia/2022/06/01/el-capo-que-pablo-escobar-no-pudo-matar-la-guerra-de-gilberto-y-miguel-rodriguez-orejuela-contra-el-lider-del-cartel-de-medellin/ |title=El capo que Pablo Escobar no pudo matar: La guerra de Gilberto y Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela contra el líder del cartel de Medellín |date=June 2022 }}</ref> | ||
In December 1988, Escobar's hitmen attempt to kidnap Pacho Herrera in Cali, the operation fails and Herrera becomes Escobar's main target.<ref |
In December 1988, Escobar's hitmen attempt to kidnap Pacho Herrera in Cali, the operation fails and Herrera becomes Escobar's main target.<ref name="auto2"/> | ||
===1989 offensive and failed negotiations=== | ===1989 offensive and failed negotiations=== | ||
{{See also|Avianca Flight 203|DAS Building bombing|Assasination of Luis Carlos Galán}} | {{See also|Avianca Flight 203|DAS Building bombing|Assasination of Luis Carlos Galán}} | ||
Minister of Justice ] signed the extradition orders for Escobar and his cartel associates.<ref>{{ |
Minister of Justice ] signed the extradition orders for Escobar and his cartel associates.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.portafolio.co/opinion/beethoven-herrera-valencia/enrique-low-murtra-y-la-ingratitud-del-estado-553416|title=Low Murtra y la ingratitud del Estado|website=Portafolio.co}}</ref> A few days later, the politician and candidate for mayor of Medellín, Juan Gómez Martínez,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-3458 |title=Enviaron Carta a Juan Gómez Martínez Periodistas Han Recibido Buen Trato: Extraditables |date=7 November 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1990/01/18/ultima/632617202_850215.html |title=Juan Gómez Martínez |newspaper=El País |date=18 January 1990 |last1=Argos |first1=Lucía }}</ref> was saved from an attempted kidnapping claimed by Los Extraditables, while Jorge Luis Ochoa was released with impunity under the right of ] a month later. | ||
] | ] | ||
On January 16, 1988, Escobar's hitmen kidnapped ] (candidate for mayor of Bogotá and later President of Colombia) and held him hidden for several days on a farm near Rionegro.<ref>{{ |
On January 16, 1988, Escobar's hitmen kidnapped ] (candidate for mayor of Bogotá and later President of Colombia) and held him hidden for several days on a farm near Rionegro.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://web.comisiondelaverdad.co/actualidad/noticias/andres-pastrana-quinto-expresidente-que-hablara-con-la-comision-de-la-verdad |title=Andrés Pastrana, quinto expresidente que hablará con la Comisión de la Verdad|website=web.comisiondelaverdad.co}}</ref><ref name="elespectador.com">{{Cite web |date=2020-03-18 |title=Hace 20 años secuestraron a Pastrana |url=https://www.elespectador.com/politica/1988-hace-20-anos-secuestraron-a-pastrana-article-25804/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/el-reto-de-la-mafia/9895-3/ |title=El Reto de la Mafia |date=22 February 1988 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1988/01/20/internacional/569631605_850215.html |title=Conmoción en Colombia por el secuestro de Andrés Pastrana |newspaper=El País |date=20 January 1988 |last1=Lozano |first1=Pilar }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.diariolasamericas.com/america-latina/andres-pastrana-el-periodista-secuestrado-que-llego-la-presidencia-n5345696 |title=Andrés Pastrana, el periodista secuestrado que llegó a la presidencia |date=27 October 2023 }}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} On January 25, 1988, cartel hitmen kidnapped ] (Attorney General of the Nation), as he was heading to the airport in Rionegro (Antioquia). Although the plan was to keep both Hoyos and Pastrana captive in the same place, the money lavishness of Jorge Restrepo, the front man in charge of Pastrana who was held captive (barely a week) caught the attention of the authorities and the police managed to free Pastrana. But in retaliation, alias 'Popeye' shot and killed Carlos Mauro Hoyos (48), who had been kidnapped for 10 hours.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-283253 |title=Ustedes Se van y Matan al Procurador |date=27 March 1995 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.noticiascaracol.com/colombia/otro-vil-crimen-de-pablo-escobar-carlos-mauro-hoyos-el-procurador-que-se-convirtio-en-martir-rg10 |title=Otro vil crimen de Pablo Escobar: Carlos Mauro Hoyos, el procurador que se convirtió en mártir |date=30 November 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elcolombiano.com/blogs/casillerodeletras/asesinado-el-procurador-general-de-la-nacion/10388 |title=Casillero de Letras – Asesinado el Procurador General de la Nación |date=25 January 2013 }}</ref> In March 1988, several hundred police officers descended on the El Bizcocho estate (owned by Escobar), but he was warned at the last minute by the corrupt Lieutenant Colonel Plinio Correa of Police Intelligence B-2 and managed to escape.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-50619 |title=Disparaban Como Locos: Policía |date=6 September 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/el-gran-escape/10127-3/ |title=El Gran Escape, Sección Nación, edición 308, Apr 25 1988 |date=25 April 1988 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-241689 |title=La Quinta Evasión de Pablo Escobar |date=14 October 1993 }}</ref><ref name="escenariosdeguerra.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.escenariosdeguerra.com/pablo-escobar-ruta-medellin/ |title=La Ruta de Pablo Escobar en Medellín |date=6 January 2021 }}</ref> | ||
In July 1988, the Secretary General of the Presidency, Germán Montoya, had entered into talks with spokesmen for Los Extraditables. Subsequent statements by the government were interpreted by the drug lords as an invitation to dialogue, so on September 15, they responded with a letter to the Barco administration, and sent Montoya a bill for pardons and a demobilization plan. However, given the intransigence of the United States, reluctant to the possibility of dialogue with the drug lords, the talks were delayed and in the end they were presented as the personal initiative of the intermediary, disassociating the president from them.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-10-04 |title=Los intentos políticos de Escobar por negociar su guerra |url=https://www.elespectador.com/especiales/los-intentos-politicos-de-escobar-por-negociar-su-guerra-379288/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref> | In July 1988, the Secretary General of the Presidency, Germán Montoya, had entered into talks with spokesmen for Los Extraditables. Subsequent statements by the government were interpreted by the drug lords as an invitation to dialogue, so on September 15, they responded with a letter to the Barco administration, and sent Montoya a bill for pardons and a demobilization plan. However, given the intransigence of the United States, reluctant to the possibility of dialogue with the drug lords, the talks were delayed and in the end they were presented as the personal initiative of the intermediary, disassociating the president from them.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-10-04 |title=Los intentos políticos de Escobar por negociar su guerra |url=https://www.elespectador.com/especiales/los-intentos-politicos-de-escobar-por-negociar-su-guerra-379288/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref> | ||
In March 1989, hitmen from Los Extraditables killed Héctor Giraldo Gálvez,<ref>{{ |
In March 1989, hitmen from Los Extraditables killed Héctor Giraldo Gálvez,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://flip.org.co/pronunciamientos/hector-giraldo-un-investigador-incansable|title=Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa|website=flip.org.co}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Donadio |first=Alberto |date=2020-04-12 |title=El legado de Héctor Giraldo |url=https://www.elespectador.com/colombia/mas-regiones/el-legado-de-hector-giraldo-article-483641/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref> the Lara case manager replacing Castro Gil, and two months later they blew up the headquarters of the TV production company Mundo Visión.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-107320 |title=Pablo Escobar Fue Dejando a Su Paso Un Rosario de Muerte y Terror |date=20 June 1991 }}</ref> On May 4, 1989, the former governor of Boyacá, Álvaro González Santana, father of Judge Martha Lucía González, was assassinated.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.coljuristas.org/sala_de_prensa/carta-de-martha-lucia-gonzalez-a-su-padre-alvaro-gonzalez-asesinado-en-mayo-de-1989|title=Comisión Colombiana de Juristas – CCJ>|first=Comisión Colombiana de|last=Juristas|website=COLJURISTAS.ORG}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Osorio Granados |first=Marcela |date=2019-05-03 |title=Álvaro González Santana: la memoria de un abogado inerme |url=https://www.elespectador.com/colombia-20/paz-y-memoria/alvaro-gonzalez-santana-la-memoria-de-un-abogado-inerme-article/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref> After the attempted assassination of the head of the DAS, General ] on May 30, 1989, in Bogotá, using a powerful explosive charge in a letter bomb that killed 7 people.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.las2orillas.co/30-mayo-1989-primer-carro-bomba-maza-la-extrana-cadena-implicaciones/ |title=30 de mayo de 1989: El primer carro bomba contra Maza y la extraña cadena de implicaciones |date=30 May 2017 }}</ref> On July 4, 1989, in Medellín, in an attack targeting Colonel Valdemar Franklin Quintero, the governor of Antioquia, ], died along with five of his companions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-358688 |title=Por el Asesinato de Antonio Roldán Betancur Sólo Hay Un Condenad |date=5 July 1995 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-158487 |title=Asesinato de Roldán: Alianza de Carteles |date=22 September 1991 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-04 |title=Asesinato de Antonio Roldán Betancur, carrobomba en Medellín, Cartel de Cal: Hace 30 años asesinaron al gobernador Antonio Roldán Betancur |url=https://caracol.com.co/emisora/2019/07/04/medellin/1562239392_014280.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224162920/https://caracol.com.co/emisora/2019/07/04/medellin/1562239392_014280.html |archive-date=2020-02-24 |access-date= |website=caracol.com.co}}</ref> On July 28, 1989, Escobar's hitmen murdered Judge María Helena Díaz – Espinoza's substitute in the Escobar and Gaviria case for possession of coca paste – and her two bodyguards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elcolombiano.com/medellin-es-mas-que-pablo-escobar/asesinato-de-la-jueza-maria-elena-diaz|title=Asesinato de la jueza María Elena Díaz|website=www.elcolombiano.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Posible ejecución extrajudicial COLOMBIA: Dra. María Elena DIAZ PEREZ, de 38 años, jueza |url=https://www.amnesty.org/ar/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/06/amr230421989es.pdf |website=www.amnesty.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-34703 |title=Magistrada Se Defiende a Balazos |date=11 December 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1989/07/29/internacional/617666416_850215.html |title=Muere una juez colombiana |newspaper=El País |date=29 July 1989 }}</ref> | ||
On August 16, 1989, Escobar's hitmen killed the judge of the superior court of Cundinamarca, Carlos Ernesto Valencia,<ref name="auto5">{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/la-leccion-del-caso-galan/103885-3/ |title=La lección del caso Galán |date=June 6, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://repository.javeriana.edu.co/handle/10554/51328 |title=Dos veces sepultado : Vida, muerte y olvido del magistrado Carlos Ernesto Valencia García |date=December 11, 2019 |last1=Gutiérrez Yepes |first1=Andrea Catalina }}</ref> and on August 18 in Medellin, Colonel Quintero was shot dead by dozens of bullets. Although the news of the crime that occurred in the morning hours was overshadowed, when at night during a political rally in Soacha, Escobar still held a grudge against Luis Carlos Galán for kicking him out of politics, so Galán was assassinated on 18 August 1989 at Escobar's orders; several dozen gunmen in the service of Rodríguez Gacha infiltrated the demonstration and killed the presidential candidate for the Liberal Party, Luis Carlos Galán, a staunch enemy of drug lords and supporter of allowing the extradition of drug lords to the US, who had the best chance of reaching the presidency of the nation. Also involved in this murder was the politician ], who in 2006 was shown to have been the intellectual co-author of the crime.<ref name="eltiempo.com"/><ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=John Jairo Velásquez Vásquez, alias 'Popeye', relata la manera como se planeó el atentado contra el lider político Luis Carlos Galán |url=http://www.wradio.com.co/oir.aspx?id=863106 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408093616/http://www.wradio.com.co/oir.aspx?id=863106 |archive-date=2012-04-08 |access-date= |website=www.wradio.com.co}}</ref> | On August 16, 1989, Escobar's hitmen killed the judge of the superior court of Cundinamarca, Carlos Ernesto Valencia,<ref name="auto5">{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/la-leccion-del-caso-galan/103885-3/ |title=La lección del caso Galán |date=June 6, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://repository.javeriana.edu.co/handle/10554/51328 |title=Dos veces sepultado : Vida, muerte y olvido del magistrado Carlos Ernesto Valencia García |date=December 11, 2019 |last1=Gutiérrez Yepes |first1=Andrea Catalina }}</ref> and on August 18 in Medellin, Colonel Quintero was shot dead by dozens of bullets. Although the news of the crime that occurred in the morning hours was overshadowed, when at night during a political rally in Soacha, Escobar still held a grudge against Luis Carlos Galán for kicking him out of politics, so Galán was assassinated on 18 August 1989 at Escobar's orders; several dozen gunmen in the service of Rodríguez Gacha infiltrated the demonstration and killed the presidential candidate for the Liberal Party, Luis Carlos Galán, a staunch enemy of drug lords and supporter of allowing the extradition of drug lords to the US, who had the best chance of reaching the presidency of the nation. Also involved in this murder was the politician ], who in 2006 was shown to have been the intellectual co-author of the crime.<ref name="eltiempo.com"/><ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=John Jairo Velásquez Vásquez, alias 'Popeye', relata la manera como se planeó el atentado contra el lider político Luis Carlos Galán |url=http://www.wradio.com.co/oir.aspx?id=863106 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408093616/http://www.wradio.com.co/oir.aspx?id=863106 |archive-date=2012-04-08 |access-date= |website=www.wradio.com.co}}</ref> | ||
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] | ] | ||
On August 23, the Extraditables responded to the government in a letter to the public, taking on the challenge of total war. With 3,000 armed hitmen, the association of paramilitarism and the support of a significant portion of the population under its control, in addition to the financial muscle that gave it control of at least 90% of cocaine trafficking abroad, the Medellín Cartel confronted the Colombian state with bombings and selective assassinations. Terrorism multiplied and put the government in check: between September and December 1989, more than 100 devices exploded in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Bucaramanga, Cartagena, Barranquilla and Pereira, against government buildings, banking, commercial and service facilities and economic infrastructure. In those three months, including the hitmen, the narco-terrorists were responsible for 289 terrorist attacks in that period, with a fateful balance of 300 civilians killed and more than 1,500 wounded.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-47742991 |title=1989: Por qué hace 30 años Colombia vivió el peor año de su historia reciente |newspaper=BBC News Mundo }}</ref> On November 1, 1989, Judge Mariela Espinosa was murdered on Escobar's orders.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elcolombiano.com/blogs/casillerodeletras/paralizada-la-justicia-en-antioquia/16449 |title=Casillero de Letras |
On August 23, the Extraditables responded to the government in a letter to the public, taking on the challenge of total war. With 3,000 armed hitmen, the association of paramilitarism and the support of a significant portion of the population under its control, in addition to the financial muscle that gave it control of at least 90% of cocaine trafficking abroad, the Medellín Cartel confronted the Colombian state with bombings and selective assassinations. Terrorism multiplied and put the government in check: between September and December 1989, more than 100 devices exploded in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Bucaramanga, Cartagena, Barranquilla and Pereira, against government buildings, banking, commercial and service facilities and economic infrastructure. In those three months, including the hitmen, the narco-terrorists were responsible for 289 terrorist attacks in that period, with a fateful balance of 300 civilians killed and more than 1,500 wounded.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-47742991 |title=1989: Por qué hace 30 años Colombia vivió el peor año de su historia reciente |newspaper=BBC News Mundo }}</ref> On November 1, 1989, Judge Mariela Espinosa was murdered on Escobar's orders.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elcolombiano.com/blogs/casillerodeletras/paralizada-la-justicia-en-antioquia/16449 |title=Casillero de Letras – Paralizada la justicia en Antioquia |date=4 November 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/12/05/Gunmen-murder-Medellin-judge-who-headed-drug-probe/3835628837200/|title=Gunmen murder Medellin judge who headed drug probe – UPI Archives|website=UPI}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Treaster |first=Joseph B. |date=1989-11-04 |title=Colombia Judges and Their Aides Go on Strike to Demand Protection |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/04/world/colombia-judges-and-their-aides-go-on-strike-to-demand-protection.html |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1989/11/03/internacional/626050804_850215.html |title=Asesinados un diputado y una magistrada en Colombia por los narcotraficantes |newspaper=El País |date=3 November 1989 |last1=Lozano |first1=Pilar }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/CMS-14448157 |title=Víctimas de 'Popeye', divididas por su libertad |date=27 August 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.museocasadelamemoria.gov.co/medellines/asesinada-la-magistrada-mariela-espinosa/ |title=Asesinada la magistrada Mariela EspinosaSin título |newspaper=Museo Casa de la Memoria }}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} | ||
On November 23, 1989, a lightning operation was launched against the El Oro ranch in ] (Antioquia), where Pablo Escobar and Jorge Luis Ochoa were staying. Escobar and Ochoa managed to escape, but two of his men were killed |
On November 23, 1989, a lightning operation was launched against the El Oro ranch in ] (Antioquia), where Pablo Escobar and Jorge Luis Ochoa were staying. Escobar and Ochoa managed to escape, but two of his men were killed – one of them his brother-in-law, Fabio Henao – and 55 were arrested.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/el-cerco/12735-3/ |title=El Cerco |date=25 December 1989 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-184609 | title=Pasadizos Secretos de Pablo Escobar |date=August 1993 }}</ref> Four days later, on November 27, Escobar then planted a bomb on ] in an attempt to assassinate Galán's successor, ], had not boarded the plane on the advice of his security advisers and survived. All 107 people were killed in the blast. Because two Americans were also killed in the bombing, the U.S. government began to intervene directly.{{sfn|Bowden|2001|pp=93–94}}<ref>{{cite web |url =http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/11/28/world/crime-legal-world/25-years-colombia-still-mourns-escobar-plane-bombing-still-wants-answers/ |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160624082736/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/11/28/world/crime-legal-world/25-years-colombia-still-mourns-escobar-plane-bombing-still-wants-answers |url-status =dead |archive-date =24 June 2016 |title =25 years on, Colombia still mourns Escobar plane bombing, still wants answers |work =The Japan Times |date =2016-07-08 |access-date =2016-07-30 |language =en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/el-misterio/12778-3/ |title=El Misterio, Sección Especiales, edición 396, Jan 1 1990 |date=January 1990 }}</ref> On December 6, 1989, Escobar's hitmen placed a bus bomb in front of the building of the DAS – the Colombian secret police – in an attempt to assassinate its director, General ], who emerged unharmed despite the building being half-destroyed. The bus bomb also destroyed more than 200 commercial establishments around it. 63 civilians were killed and 500 were injured.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/historias/2022/12/06/el-atentado-mas-sangriento-de-escobar-500-kilos-de-dinamita-63-muertos-y-700-heridos-para-matar-a-su-enemigo/ |title=El atentado más sangriento de Escobar: 500 kilos de dinamita, 63 muertos y 700 heridos para matar a su enemigo |date=6 December 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elcolombiano.com/medellin-es-mas-que-pablo-escobar/atentado-al-edificio-del-das|title=Atentado al edificio del DAS|website=www.elcolombiano.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/el-coletazo/12823-3/ |title=El Coletazo, Sección Nación, edición 397, Jan 8 1990 |date=8 January 1990 }}</ref> | ||
====Wave of kidnappings and failed negotiations==== | ====Wave of kidnappings and failed negotiations==== | ||
On December 15, 1989, Barco's government managed to kill the second leader of the Medellín cartel and its military leader, El Mexicano (Rodríguez Gacha). He was located by an informant working for the Cali Cartel on the northern coast of the country, where he was seeking refuge from the authorities' persecution. Responsible for more than 2,000 homicides and claiming responsibility for the attack on the DAS tower, he was killed after a tough chase between the municipalities of ] and ] in the ], along with his son Freddy Rodríguez Celades, his main lieutenant ] and four hitmen from his security force. Most of the terrorist attacks of the last few months were attributed to 'El Mexicano'.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |url=http://www.semana.com/especiales/articulo/el-fin-de-el-mexicano/17554-3 |title=El Fin de 'El Mexicano' |website=www.semana.com |date=8 June 1992 |access-date=2017-01-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/mexico/2019/05/15/el-mexicano-el-despiadado-narco-que-festejaba-con-mariachis-y-se-unio-a-pablo-escobar/ |title="El Mexicano": El despiadado narco que festejaba con mariachis y se unió a Pablo Escobar |date=15 May 2019 }}</ref> | On December 15, 1989, Barco's government managed to kill the second leader of the Medellín cartel and its military leader, El Mexicano (Rodríguez Gacha). He was located by an informant working for the Cali Cartel on the northern coast of the country, where he was seeking refuge from the authorities' persecution. Responsible for more than 2,000 homicides and claiming responsibility for the attack on the DAS tower, he was killed after a tough chase between the municipalities of ] and ] in the ], along with his son Freddy Rodríguez Celades, his main lieutenant ] and four hitmen from his security force. Most of the terrorist attacks of the last few months were attributed to 'El Mexicano'.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |url=http://www.semana.com/especiales/articulo/el-fin-de-el-mexicano/17554-3 |title=El Fin de 'El Mexicano' |website=www.semana.com |date=8 June 1992 |access-date=2017-01-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/mexico/2019/05/15/el-mexicano-el-despiadado-narco-que-festejaba-con-mariachis-y-se-unio-a-pablo-escobar/ |title="El Mexicano": El despiadado narco que festejaba con mariachis y se unió a Pablo Escobar |date=15 May 2019 }}</ref> | ||
Although the Medellín Cartel and the government had made a series of approaches to reach negotiations that would lead to the surrender of the drug lords, the intransigence of the US justice system and the recent acts of violence prevented any such option. The Extraditables attempted a new strategy of dialogue and negotiation with the State, wanting to pressure it with the kidnapping of the son of the Secretary of the Presidency, Álvaro Diego Montoya, and two relatives of the President of the Republic, in addition to other personalities. A proposal then arose from former President López Michelsen, supported by former Presidents ] and ], by Cardinal Mario Rebollo Bravo and by the President of the ] Diego Montaña Cuellar, consisting of the formation of a commission of Notables to negotiate with the narcoterrorists.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-10-04 |title=Los intentos políticos de Escobar por negociar su guerra |url=https://www.elespectador.com/especiales/los-intentos-politicos-de-escobar-por-negociar-su-guerra-379288/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref> On January 17, 1990, they responded to the government's proposal, presenting themselves in a statement as legitimate candidates for judicial pardon and expressing a "genuine willingness to negotiate." Immediately afterward, they released the hostages, handed over a bus with a ton of dynamite, and one of the largest drug processing laboratories in Chocó. All process that began after a statement in which Los Extraditables described the declaration of the former presidents and the leader of the UP as a "patriotic invitation," while declaring that they recognized the "victory of the State." In return, the drug traffickers expected the government to create a high-level commission that would be in charge of the legal procedures that would allow their surrender. The government considered names to lead the process and the most likely candidate was Otto Morales Benítez, former government negotiator with the guerrillas.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/decisiones-fatales/58098-3/ |title=Decisiones fatales |date=12 May 2003 }}</ref> However, the approaches were leaked to the press and the attempt at dialogue and negotiation ended in a new wave of terrorism, and announced that, on the contrary, it would strengthen the extradition process. This did not prevent the complete release of the hostages before the end of January 1990. On January 22, Álvaro Montoya was released near the main entrance of the ], without the sign requiring him to convey any message to the public.<ref>{{Cite web |title=El Tiempo |
Although the Medellín Cartel and the government had made a series of approaches to reach negotiations that would lead to the surrender of the drug lords, the intransigence of the US justice system and the recent acts of violence prevented any such option. The Extraditables attempted a new strategy of dialogue and negotiation with the State, wanting to pressure it with the kidnapping of the son of the Secretary of the Presidency, Álvaro Diego Montoya, and two relatives of the President of the Republic, in addition to other personalities. A proposal then arose from former President López Michelsen, supported by former Presidents ] and ], by Cardinal Mario Rebollo Bravo and by the President of the ] Diego Montaña Cuellar, consisting of the formation of a commission of Notables to negotiate with the narcoterrorists.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-10-04 |title=Los intentos políticos de Escobar por negociar su guerra |url=https://www.elespectador.com/especiales/los-intentos-politicos-de-escobar-por-negociar-su-guerra-379288/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref> On January 17, 1990, they responded to the government's proposal, presenting themselves in a statement as legitimate candidates for judicial pardon and expressing a "genuine willingness to negotiate." Immediately afterward, they released the hostages, handed over a bus with a ton of dynamite, and one of the largest drug processing laboratories in Chocó. All process that began after a statement in which Los Extraditables described the declaration of the former presidents and the leader of the UP as a "patriotic invitation," while declaring that they recognized the "victory of the State." In return, the drug traffickers expected the government to create a high-level commission that would be in charge of the legal procedures that would allow their surrender. The government considered names to lead the process and the most likely candidate was Otto Morales Benítez, former government negotiator with the guerrillas.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/decisiones-fatales/58098-3/ |title=Decisiones fatales |date=12 May 2003 }}</ref> However, the approaches were leaked to the press and the attempt at dialogue and negotiation ended in a new wave of terrorism, and announced that, on the contrary, it would strengthen the extradition process. This did not prevent the complete release of the hostages before the end of January 1990. On January 22, Álvaro Montoya was released near the main entrance of the ], without the sign requiring him to convey any message to the public.<ref>{{Cite web |title=El Tiempo – Recherche d'archives de Google Actualités |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CfgbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MVMEAAAAIBAJ&hl=fr&pg=6007,2118467 |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=news.google.com}}</ref> | ||
The Extraditables, effectively deceived by the Government and faced with a strong military offensive in Envigado, declared a zone of military operations by the IV Brigade under the command of General Harold Bedoya, the Extraditables ended the truce on March 30, putting a price on the head of each policeman killed. Medellín and its metropolitan area were involved in an urban war, after the first executions of uniformed officers and after the attack against a truck of the Elite Group, which occurred on a bridge in Itagüí on April 11. This attack, which left 20 dead and 100 wounded, was the first of 18 that occurred until the end of July with a balance of 100 fatalities and 450 wounded.<ref |
The Extraditables, effectively deceived by the Government and faced with a strong military offensive in Envigado, declared a zone of military operations by the IV Brigade under the command of General Harold Bedoya, the Extraditables ended the truce on March 30, putting a price on the head of each policeman killed. Medellín and its metropolitan area were involved in an urban war, after the first executions of uniformed officers and after the attack against a truck of the Elite Group, which occurred on a bridge in Itagüí on April 11. This attack, which left 20 dead and 100 wounded, was the first of 18 that occurred until the end of July with a balance of 100 fatalities and 450 wounded.<ref name="auto9"/> | ||
The ] were marked by constant violence in which not only Galán was killed, but also ], of the leftist UP party; and ], leader of the dissolved M-19 guerrilla movement. Although the government blamed Escobar for the murders of Jaramillo<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/especiales/articulo/quien-mato-jaramillo-ossa-nota-archivo/13236-3/ |title=¿Quién mató a Jaramillo Ossa? Nota de archivo |date=23 April 1990 }}</ref> and Pizarro,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.semana.com/noticias-especiales/quien-mato-pizarro/46979.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426183903/http://www.semana.com/noticias-especiales/quien-mato-pizarro/46979.aspx |archive-date=26 April 2010 |title=Quién mató a Pizarro, Articulo Impreso Archivado }}</ref> they were actually committed by paramilitaries under the command of his allies ] and ]. Gradually the cordial relations between the paramilitaries and Los Extraditables would deteriorate because of this. | The ] were marked by constant violence in which not only Galán was killed, but also ], of the leftist UP party; and ], leader of the dissolved M-19 guerrilla movement. Although the government blamed Escobar for the murders of Jaramillo<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/especiales/articulo/quien-mato-jaramillo-ossa-nota-archivo/13236-3/ |title=¿Quién mató a Jaramillo Ossa? Nota de archivo |date=23 April 1990 }}</ref> and Pizarro,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.semana.com/noticias-especiales/quien-mato-pizarro/46979.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426183903/http://www.semana.com/noticias-especiales/quien-mato-pizarro/46979.aspx |archive-date=26 April 2010 |title=Quién mató a Pizarro, Articulo Impreso Archivado }}</ref> they were actually committed by paramilitaries under the command of his allies ] and ]. Gradually the cordial relations between the paramilitaries and Los Extraditables would deteriorate because of this. | ||
On May 12, the eve of Mother's Day, bombs exploded in two commercial districts in Bogotá, killing twenty-one people. On the same day in Cali, another terrorist act claimed the lives of nine civilians. At the end of the month, at the same time that a hitman blew himself up in front of the Intercontinental Hotel in Medellín,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-1042240 |
On May 12, the eve of Mother's Day, bombs exploded in two commercial districts in Bogotá, killing twenty-one people. On the same day in Cali, another terrorist act claimed the lives of nine civilians. At the end of the month, at the same time that a hitman blew himself up in front of the Intercontinental Hotel in Medellín,<ref>{{cite web |title=Las Víctimas del Terrorismo |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-1042240 |date=3 December 2003 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1990/05/26/internacional/643672821_850215.html |title=30 muertos en una noche de terror en Medellín |newspaper=El País |date=26 May 1990 |last1=Lozano |first1=Pilar }}</ref> killing six policemen and three passers-by, Senator Federico Estrada Vélez and his driver were gunned down.<ref>{{cite web |title=Casillero de Letras – Asesinado Federico Estrada Vélez |url=https://www.elcolombiano.com/blogs/casillerodeletras/asesinado-federico-estrada-velez/18230 |date=22 May 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-288876 |title=Condenan al Tití Por Asesinato de Senador Federico Estrada |date=March 1995 }}</ref> The violence intensified and the victims were thousands: in retaliation for the death of 215 policemen killed between April and July 1990, death squads went up to the communes every night and shot dozens of men, several of children and/or adolescents. | ||
Shortly after Escobar's military chief, ''Pinina'' (]), was assassinated on June 14,<ref name="semana">{{cite magazine |title=Golpe al sicariato |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/golpe-sicariato/13607-3/ |magazine=] |language=es |date=15 July 1990 |access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-72016 |title=De Pinina a el León |date=13 August 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-270428 |title=El Derrumbe del Cartel de Medellín |date=2 December 1993 }}</ref> another series of military actions followed: nineteen young people from Antioquia's high society were killed in the Oporto Bar Massacre<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/10/30/la-masacre-de-oporto-un-hecho-que-se-divide-entre-pablo-escobar-y-el-bloque-de-busqueda/ |title=La masacre de Oporto: Un hecho que se divide entre Pablo Escobar y el Bloque de Búsqueda |date=30 October 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/medellin/como-fue-la-masacre-de-oporto-comandada-por-pablo-escobar-299534 |title=Oporto, la masacre más sangrienta y la más olvidada |date=December 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elcolombiano.com/opinion/opinion-editorial/la-masacre-del-bar-oporto-y-los-hechos-de-un-fin-de-semana-escabroso-JA13203749 |title=La masacre del bar Oporto y los hechos de un fin de semana escabroso }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Alirio Calle |first=Luis |title=Bar Oporto 1990: El saturado recuerdo del pavor |url=https://unrelatode.telemedellin.tv/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/LaCro%CC%81nica-luisalirio.pdf |website=unrelatode.telemedellin.tv}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/medellin/oporto-habla-camilo-jaramillo-sobreviviente-de-la-masacre-en-medellin-676645 |title=El escalofriante relato del hombre que sobrevivió a masacre en Medellín |date=31 May 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-47632839 |title=Masacre en Medellín: "Estaba al lado de 19 cadáveres y con nueve tiros en el cuerpo", cómo sobreviví a una matanza en la ciudad más peligrosa del mundo |newspaper=BBC News Mundo }}</ref> and a car bomb exploded in front of the Libertadores Police Station, killing fourteen civilians. Finally, at the end of July, after a huge operation in Antioquia's Magdalena Medio from which Escobar once again escaped, Los Extraditables declared a new truce and went on the defensive, awaiting the decisions that the incoming Gaviria government might take. In any case, they affirmed the impossibility of surrendering to justice until the State security agencies are restructured and the appropriate legal mechanisms are created to avoid their extradition.<ref name="eltiempo.com"/> | Shortly after Escobar's military chief, ''Pinina'' (]), was assassinated on June 14,<ref name="semana">{{cite magazine |title=Golpe al sicariato |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/golpe-sicariato/13607-3/ |magazine=] |language=es |date=15 July 1990 |access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-72016 |title=De Pinina a el León |date=13 August 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-270428 |title=El Derrumbe del Cartel de Medellín |date=2 December 1993 }}</ref> another series of military actions followed: nineteen young people from Antioquia's high society were killed in the Oporto Bar Massacre<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/10/30/la-masacre-de-oporto-un-hecho-que-se-divide-entre-pablo-escobar-y-el-bloque-de-busqueda/ |title=La masacre de Oporto: Un hecho que se divide entre Pablo Escobar y el Bloque de Búsqueda |date=30 October 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/medellin/como-fue-la-masacre-de-oporto-comandada-por-pablo-escobar-299534 |title=Oporto, la masacre más sangrienta y la más olvidada |date=December 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elcolombiano.com/opinion/opinion-editorial/la-masacre-del-bar-oporto-y-los-hechos-de-un-fin-de-semana-escabroso-JA13203749 |title=La masacre del bar Oporto y los hechos de un fin de semana escabroso }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Alirio Calle |first=Luis |title=Bar Oporto 1990: El saturado recuerdo del pavor |url=https://unrelatode.telemedellin.tv/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/LaCro%CC%81nica-luisalirio.pdf |website=unrelatode.telemedellin.tv}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/medellin/oporto-habla-camilo-jaramillo-sobreviviente-de-la-masacre-en-medellin-676645 |title=El escalofriante relato del hombre que sobrevivió a masacre en Medellín |date=31 May 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-47632839 |title=Masacre en Medellín: "Estaba al lado de 19 cadáveres y con nueve tiros en el cuerpo", cómo sobreviví a una matanza en la ciudad más peligrosa del mundo |newspaper=BBC News Mundo }}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} and a car bomb exploded in front of the Libertadores Police Station, killing fourteen civilians. Finally, at the end of July, after a huge operation in Antioquia's Magdalena Medio from which Escobar once again escaped, Los Extraditables declared a new truce and went on the defensive, awaiting the decisions that the incoming Gaviria government might take. In any case, they affirmed the impossibility of surrendering to justice until the State security agencies are restructured and the appropriate legal mechanisms are created to avoid their extradition.<ref name="eltiempo.com"/> | ||
Furthermore, the cartel war did not cease. On June 22, 1989, the Cali Cartel, through its head of security, ], hired a group of British mercenaries led by Peter McAleese and sent them to Hacienda Nápoles to attack Escobar, but the operation failed because the helicopter carrying the mercenaries crashed due to overloading.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-56355882 |title=Pablo Escobar: La poco conocida historia del mercenario escocés contratado para matar al líder del cartel de Medellín |newspaper=BBC News Mundo }}</ref> | Furthermore, the cartel war did not cease. On June 22, 1989, the Cali Cartel, through its head of security, ], hired a group of British mercenaries led by Peter McAleese and sent them to Hacienda Nápoles to attack Escobar, but the operation failed because the helicopter carrying the mercenaries crashed due to overloading.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-56355882 |title=Pablo Escobar: La poco conocida historia del mercenario escocés contratado para matar al líder del cartel de Medellín |newspaper=BBC News Mundo }}</ref> | ||
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In November 1989, after the Colombian Professional Football match between Independiente Medellín and América de Cali, referee Álvaro Ortega was murdered on Escobar's orders due to illegal betting with the Cali Cartel according to Popeye and Fernando Rodríguez Mondragón.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://as.com/tikitakas/2016/11/15/portada/1479227584_976260.html |title=Álvaro Ortega, el árbitro asesinado por Pablo Escobar |date=15 November 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-15 |title=Balazos advertidos al fútbol colombiano |url=https://www.elespectador.com/deportes/futbol-colombiano/millonarios/balazos-advertidos-al-futbol-colombiano-article-890470/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/deportes/futbol-colombiano/hace-30-anos-fue-asesinado-el-arbitro-colombiano-alvaro-ortega-433390 |title=A 30 años: Cuando el fútbol se congeló por el asesinato de un árbitro |date=14 November 2019 }}</ref> | In November 1989, after the Colombian Professional Football match between Independiente Medellín and América de Cali, referee Álvaro Ortega was murdered on Escobar's orders due to illegal betting with the Cali Cartel according to Popeye and Fernando Rodríguez Mondragón.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://as.com/tikitakas/2016/11/15/portada/1479227584_976260.html |title=Álvaro Ortega, el árbitro asesinado por Pablo Escobar |date=15 November 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-15 |title=Balazos advertidos al fútbol colombiano |url=https://www.elespectador.com/deportes/futbol-colombiano/millonarios/balazos-advertidos-al-futbol-colombiano-article-890470/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/deportes/futbol-colombiano/hace-30-anos-fue-asesinado-el-arbitro-colombiano-alvaro-ortega-433390 |title=A 30 años: Cuando el fútbol se congeló por el asesinato de un árbitro |date=14 November 2019 }}</ref> | ||
On September 25, 1990, taking advantage of the fact that Pacho Herrera was going to attend a private soccer game on one of his farms in a district of ] (]), several hitmen dressed in uniforms of the National Army entered the place and carried out the Los Cocos Hacienda Massacre. They opened fire, leaving 18 people dead; however, Pacho Herrera was unharmed and escaped. The attack was ordered by Escobar, who would command a new assault against Herrera on July 27, 1991, at a beach resort located on the highway leading from Cali to ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-64733 |title=Tyson Planeó el Ataque |date=28 September 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-21 |title=Ministerio Público |url=https://www.mp.gob.gt/noticia/justicia-para-victimas-de-la-masacre-de-los-cocos/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527104004/https://www.mp.gob.gt/noticia/justicia-para-victimas-de-la-masacre-de-los-cocos/ |archive-date=2022-05-27 |access-date= |website=www.mp.gob.gt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-63711 |title=Masacre: 27 Muertos |date=26 September 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{ |
On September 25, 1990, taking advantage of the fact that Pacho Herrera was going to attend a private soccer game on one of his farms in a district of ] (]), several hitmen dressed in uniforms of the National Army entered the place and carried out the Los Cocos Hacienda Massacre. They opened fire, leaving 18 people dead; however, Pacho Herrera was unharmed and escaped. The attack was ordered by Escobar, who would command a new assault against Herrera on July 27, 1991, at a beach resort located on the highway leading from Cali to ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-64733 |title=Tyson Planeó el Ataque |date=28 September 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-21 |title=Ministerio Público |url=https://www.mp.gob.gt/noticia/justicia-para-victimas-de-la-masacre-de-los-cocos/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527104004/https://www.mp.gob.gt/noticia/justicia-para-victimas-de-la-masacre-de-los-cocos/ |archive-date=2022-05-27 |access-date= |website=www.mp.gob.gt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-63711 |title=Masacre: 27 Muertos |date=26 September 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.plazapublica.com.gt/content/analisis-epistolares-en-torno-una-masacre-0|title=Análisis epistolares en torno a una masacre|website=Plaza Pública}}</ref> | ||
===New kidnappings and attacks=== | ===New kidnappings and attacks=== | ||
Apart from an unfinished peace process, President César Gaviria inherited the "war on drugs" with which his predecessor had sought to reduce the Medellín Cartel and its network of hitmen, declared enemies of the State.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-17386 |title=Abolido Límite Para Acogerse a Beneficios de No Extradición |date=30 January 1991 }}</ref> Although during his presidential campaign he had shown total support for both the offensive and the measures taken by Barco, including the most feared by narco-terrorists; which was extradition by administrative means; once in office he hinted that the high economic and human cost of this war deserved the search for an alternative solution in which the strengthening of justice would be a key element. On August 12, in any case, in a coup, men from the Elite Group of the police killed ], Escobar's cousin and right-hand man.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-73299 |title=Muerto Subjefe del Cartel de Medellín |date=12 August 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-23337 |title=Asesinado Un Primo de Pablo Escobar |date=25 January 1994 }}</ref> | Apart from an unfinished peace process, President César Gaviria inherited the "war on drugs" with which his predecessor had sought to reduce the Medellín Cartel and its network of hitmen, declared enemies of the State.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-17386 |title=Abolido Límite Para Acogerse a Beneficios de No Extradición |date=30 January 1991 }}</ref> Although during his presidential campaign he had shown total support for both the offensive and the measures taken by Barco, including the most feared by narco-terrorists; which was extradition by administrative means; once in office he hinted that the high economic and human cost of this war deserved the search for an alternative solution in which the strengthening of justice would be a key element. On August 12, in any case, in a coup, men from the Elite Group of the police killed ], Escobar's cousin and right-hand man.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-73299 |title=Muerto Subjefe del Cartel de Medellín |date=12 August 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-23337 |title=Asesinado Un Primo de Pablo Escobar |date=25 January 1994 }}</ref> | ||
Taking advantage of the respite from the unilateral, indefinite truce announced in July by Los Extraditables, Justice Minister ] designed the state of siege legislation that would be made public as a "policy of submission to justice."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-305470 |title=Política de Sometimiento Institucionalizó el Caos |date=12 January 1995 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Salazar |first=Sania |date=2017-10-14 |title="Ya tuvimos un sometimiento a la justicia en los 90 y no salió bien" |url=https://colombiacheck.com/chequeos/ya-tuvimos-un-sometimiento-la-justicia-en-los-90-y-no-salio-bien |website=colombiacheck.com}}</ref> This policy, which materialized in five decrees that would later, |
Taking advantage of the respite from the unilateral, indefinite truce announced in July by Los Extraditables, Justice Minister ] designed the state of siege legislation that would be made public as a "policy of submission to justice."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-305470 |title=Política de Sometimiento Institucionalizó el Caos |date=12 January 1995 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Salazar |first=Sania |date=2017-10-14 |title="Ya tuvimos un sometimiento a la justicia en los 90 y no salió bien" |url=https://colombiacheck.com/chequeos/ya-tuvimos-un-sometimiento-la-justicia-en-los-90-y-no-salio-bien |website=colombiacheck.com}}</ref> This policy, which materialized in five decrees that would later,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Decreto 3030 de 1990 |url=https://www.suin-juriscol.gov.co/viewDocument.asp?id=1508657 |website=www.suin-juriscol.gov.co}}</ref> after a purge, be elevated to permanent legislation in the new Code of Criminal Procedure, aspired in simplified terms to favor, by reducing the sentence of drug traffickers who voluntarily surrendered and confessed to at least one crime, with the guarantee, in some cases conditional, of being tried in the country and held in high-security prisons. The first to accept the offer, between December 1990 and February 1991, were the Ochoa brothers, ], ] and ],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-210784 |title=Lento Proceso a los Hermanos Ochoa |date=18 December 1991 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-19 |title=Los hermanos socios de Pablo Escobar |url=https://www.elespectador.com/investigacion/los-hermanos-socios-de-pablo-escobar-article-163567/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref> close associates of Escobar, who, suspicious of the intentions of the Government, which had already failed to comply with him previously, organized a series of selective kidnappings of renowned journalists and influential figures in national life. | ||
Escobar ordered the kidnapping of relatives of members of the Government and journalists. From the long list of those kidnapped, the most well-known were: Francisco Santos Calderón (editor-in-chief of the newspaper ]),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-59666 |title=Secuestrado Ayer Francisco Santos |date=20 September 1990 }}</ref> Maruja Pachón de Villamizar (journalist and general director of FOCINE, wife of the politician and diplomat Alberto Villamizar),<ref name="larepublica.pe">{{cite web |url=https://larepublica.pe/mundo/colombia/2022/08/18/maruja-pachon-de-villamizar-quien-es-y-como-fue-su-secuestro-que-duro-7-meses-beatriz-villamizar-pablo-escobar-noticia-de-un-secuestro-lrtm |title=Maruja Pachón de Villamizar: ¿quién es y cómo fue su secuestro, que duró 7 meses? |date=5 January 2024 }}</ref> Beatriz Villamizar de Guerrero (sister of Alberto Villamizar and personal assistant of FOCINE), ] (director of the television news program Criptón and of the magazine Hoy x Hoy, daughter of the former president of the republic Julio César Turbay) with her journalistic team from Criptón, Marina Montoya de Pérez (sister of the former general secretary of the Presidency Germán Montoya) and who was executed by her captors in retaliation for the failure of the rapprochements with the government at the end of 1989, for the death of hitmen and collaborators of the Cartel at the hands of the police, especially for the death of the brothers Armando and Ricardo Prisco Lopera, leaders of Los Priscos, the armed wing of the cartel, Patricia Echeverri and her daughter Diana Echeverri, political relatives of the former president of the republic Barco, thus putting pressure on the outgoing president and the elected Gaviria to be treated as a political criminal, thus becoming a beneficiary of the pardons reserved for the guerrillas. Escobar also intended to force the Executive to make an agreement tailored to his needs and continued to apply pressure again through armed means, threatening to execute the hostages and to restart his terrorist offensive.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/colombia/2021/05/29/los-secuestros-con-que-pablo-escobar-busco-liberarse-de-la-extradicion-y-atemorizar-a-colombia/ |title=Los secuestros con que Pablo Escobar buscó liberarse de la extradición y atemorizar a Colombia |date=29 May 2021 }}</ref> | Escobar ordered the kidnapping of relatives of members of the Government and journalists. From the long list of those kidnapped, the most well-known were: Francisco Santos Calderón (editor-in-chief of the newspaper ]),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-59666 |title=Secuestrado Ayer Francisco Santos |date=20 September 1990 }}</ref> Maruja Pachón de Villamizar (journalist and general director of FOCINE, wife of the politician and diplomat Alberto Villamizar),<ref name="larepublica.pe">{{cite web |url=https://larepublica.pe/mundo/colombia/2022/08/18/maruja-pachon-de-villamizar-quien-es-y-como-fue-su-secuestro-que-duro-7-meses-beatriz-villamizar-pablo-escobar-noticia-de-un-secuestro-lrtm |title=Maruja Pachón de Villamizar: ¿quién es y cómo fue su secuestro, que duró 7 meses? |date=5 January 2024 }}</ref> Beatriz Villamizar de Guerrero (sister of Alberto Villamizar and personal assistant of FOCINE), ] (director of the television news program Criptón and of the magazine Hoy x Hoy, daughter of the former president of the republic Julio César Turbay) with her journalistic team from Criptón, Marina Montoya de Pérez (sister of the former general secretary of the Presidency Germán Montoya) and who was executed by her captors in retaliation for the failure of the rapprochements with the government at the end of 1989, for the death of hitmen and collaborators of the Cartel at the hands of the police, especially for the death of the brothers Armando and Ricardo Prisco Lopera, leaders of Los Priscos, the armed wing of the cartel, Patricia Echeverri and her daughter Diana Echeverri, political relatives of the former president of the republic Barco, thus putting pressure on the outgoing president and the elected Gaviria to be treated as a political criminal, thus becoming a beneficiary of the pardons reserved for the guerrillas. Escobar also intended to force the Executive to make an agreement tailored to his needs and continued to apply pressure again through armed means, threatening to execute the hostages and to restart his terrorist offensive.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/colombia/2021/05/29/los-secuestros-con-que-pablo-escobar-busco-liberarse-de-la-extradicion-y-atemorizar-a-colombia/ |title=Los secuestros con que Pablo Escobar buscó liberarse de la extradición y atemorizar a Colombia |date=29 May 2021 }}</ref> | ||
On December 13, 1990, a bomb killed 7 police officers in Medellín and another 7 were killed by hitmen in the first 3 days of January and with a new wave of attacks: a dozen police officers were victims of contract killings, an explosion on a bus left 6 dead and on February 16, a heinous bomb attack against a secret police F2 patrol in Medellín in front of the city's bullring resulted in 22 civilian deaths. Two months later, Escobar's hitmen killed the former Minister of Justice Enrique Low Murtra in Bogotá.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-75258 |title=Asesinado Low Murtra |date=May 1991 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-75594 |title=Por Qué Low Murtra |date=2 May 1991 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://caracol.com.co/programa/2021/04/30/6am_hoy_por_hoy/1619800416_648800.html |title=Enrique Low Murtra, el jurista acribillado por su admirable ética |date=30 April 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{ |
On December 13, 1990, a bomb killed 7 police officers in Medellín and another 7 were killed by hitmen in the first 3 days of January and with a new wave of attacks: a dozen police officers were victims of contract killings, an explosion on a bus left 6 dead and on February 16, a heinous bomb attack against a secret police F2 patrol in Medellín in front of the city's bullring resulted in 22 civilian deaths. Two months later, Escobar's hitmen killed the former Minister of Justice Enrique Low Murtra in Bogotá.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-75258 |title=Asesinado Low Murtra |date=May 1991 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-75594 |title=Por Qué Low Murtra |date=2 May 1991 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://caracol.com.co/programa/2021/04/30/6am_hoy_por_hoy/1619800416_648800.html |title=Enrique Low Murtra, el jurista acribillado por su admirable ética |date=30 April 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cronicadelquindio.com/opinion/opinion/el-asesinato-del-ex-ministro-enrique-low-murtra|title=El asesinato del ex ministro Enrique Low Murtra |date=10 December 2013|website=Cronica del Quindio}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1991/05/02/internacional/673135209_850215.html |title=Asesinado en Bogotá el ex ministro de Justicia Enrique Low Murtra |newspaper=El País |date=2 May 1991 |last1=Lozano |first1=Pilar }}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} | ||
Although most of the hostages had been released, not only as a gesture of good faith but also because of the apparent success of negotiations to avoid Escobar's extradition, on January 25, 1991, Diana Turbay fell dead in the arms of her cameraman Richard Becerra in the middle of a shootout during an apparent rescue operation. Turbay's death infuriated Escobar since the journalist was his best card to negotiate his non-extradition to the USA.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.noticiascaracol.com/expediente-final/los-conmovedores-testimonios-de-la-mama-de-diana-turbay-y-de-su-hija-en-expediente-final-rg10 |title=Los conmovedores testimonios de la mamá de Diana Turbay y de su hija en Expediente Final |date=25 February 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morales Sierra |first=Felipe |title=30 años sin Diana Turbay, la periodista que callaron los extraditables 2021-01-24 |url=https://www.elespectador.com/judicial/30-anos-sin-diana-turbay-la-periodista-que-callaron-los-extraditables-article/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/justicia/delitos/diana-turbay-30-anos-de-su-asesinato-pablo-escobar-562555 |
Although most of the hostages had been released, not only as a gesture of good faith but also because of the apparent success of negotiations to avoid Escobar's extradition, on January 25, 1991, Diana Turbay fell dead in the arms of her cameraman Richard Becerra in the middle of a shootout during an apparent rescue operation. Turbay's death infuriated Escobar since the journalist was his best card to negotiate his non-extradition to the USA.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.noticiascaracol.com/expediente-final/los-conmovedores-testimonios-de-la-mama-de-diana-turbay-y-de-su-hija-en-expediente-final-rg10 |title=Los conmovedores testimonios de la mamá de Diana Turbay y de su hija en Expediente Final |date=25 February 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morales Sierra |first=Felipe |title=30 años sin Diana Turbay, la periodista que callaron los extraditables |date=2021-01-24 |url=https://www.elespectador.com/judicial/30-anos-sin-diana-turbay-la-periodista-que-callaron-los-extraditables-article/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hace 30 años fue asesinada la periodista Diana Turbay |date=25 January 2021 |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/justicia/delitos/diana-turbay-30-anos-de-su-asesinato-pablo-escobar-562555}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/justicia/investigacion/la-muerte-de-diana-turbay-y-de-carlos-mauro-hoyos-sigue-en-la-impunidad-317614 |title=Muerte de Diana Turbay y Carlos Hoyos siguen impunes décadas después |date=24 January 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1991/01/27/internacional/664930808_850215.html |title=La muerte de Diana Turbay, duro revés en la lucha contra los 'narcos' colombianos |newspaper=El País |date=27 January 1991 |last1=Lozano |first1=Pilar }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.laopinion.co/historicos/26-anos-del-rescate-y-muerte-de-la-periodista-diana-turbay|title=26 años del rescate y muerte de la periodista Diana Turbay|first=La Opinión|last=Cúcuta|website=Noticias de Norte de Santander, Colombia y el mundo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://caracol.com.co/programa/2021/01/25/6am_hoy_por_hoy/1611574832_327866.html |title=Tres décadas del asesinato de Diana Turbay Quintero |date=25 January 2021 }}</ref><ref name="semana.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/los-misterios-del-caso-diana-turbay/14662-3/ |title=Los Misterios del Caso Diana Turbay |date=11 March 1991 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/el-secuestro-de-la-mano-de-la-muerte/16716-3/ |title=El Secuestro, de la Mano de la Muerte |date=20 January 1992 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/gente/articulo/una-despedida-diana-turbay/397727-3/ |title=Una despedida a Diana Turbay |date=2 August 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/30-anos-del-asesinato-de-diana-turbay/202116/ |title=30 años del asesinato de Diana Turbay |date=25 January 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-79127 |title=Muerte de Diana Turbay: Cargos a Cinco Oficiales |date=8 May 1991 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-129743 |title=Muerte de Diana Turbay. Declaran DOS Generales |date=31 July 1991 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-87243 |title=Diana, la Gran Ausente |date=21 May 1991 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-27855 |title=Investigadores Tocan a las Puertas de Palacio |date=18 February 1991 }}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} | ||
===Surrender and submission to justice=== | ===Surrender and submission to justice=== | ||
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However, Pachón and Santos remained kidnapped for a few more months due to Escobar's distrust of the government, and their release was personally facilitated by Enrique Santos, Santos' father, and Alberto Villamizar, Pachón's husband, with government authorization. García-Herreros was also a mediator not only for the release of Pachón, finally achieved on May 21, 1991, but also for that of Santos a day later, on May 22 of that same year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-85885 |title=Francisco Santos, 8 Meses Secuestrado |date=19 May 1991 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/09/18/francisco-santos-recordo-su-secuestro-la-carta-perfecta-de-pablo-escobar-y-la-herida-que-esta-ahi/ |title=Francisco Santos recordó su secuestro, la carta "perfecta" de Pablo Escobar y la "herida que está ahí" |date=18 September 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-87230 |title=Libre Maruja Pachón |date=21 May 1991 }}</ref><ref name="larepublica.pe"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-26395 |title=Mensaje de Francisco Santos al Presidente Liberar Periodistas Sin Violar las Leyes |date=30 November 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-254701 |title=Cayó Presunto Secuestrador de Maruja P. De Villamizar |date=4 November 1993 }}</ref><ref name="infobae.com"/>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} | However, Pachón and Santos remained kidnapped for a few more months due to Escobar's distrust of the government, and their release was personally facilitated by Enrique Santos, Santos' father, and Alberto Villamizar, Pachón's husband, with government authorization. García-Herreros was also a mediator not only for the release of Pachón, finally achieved on May 21, 1991, but also for that of Santos a day later, on May 22 of that same year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-85885 |title=Francisco Santos, 8 Meses Secuestrado |date=19 May 1991 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/09/18/francisco-santos-recordo-su-secuestro-la-carta-perfecta-de-pablo-escobar-y-la-herida-que-esta-ahi/ |title=Francisco Santos recordó su secuestro, la carta "perfecta" de Pablo Escobar y la "herida que está ahí" |date=18 September 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-87230 |title=Libre Maruja Pachón |date=21 May 1991 }}</ref><ref name="larepublica.pe"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-26395 |title=Mensaje de Francisco Santos al Presidente Liberar Periodistas Sin Violar las Leyes |date=30 November 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-254701 |title=Cayó Presunto Secuestrador de Maruja P. De Villamizar |date=4 November 1993 }}</ref><ref name="infobae.com"/>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} | ||
Eventually, the government negotiated with Escobar and convinced him to surrender and cease all criminal activity in exchange for a reduced sentence and preferential treatment during his captivity. Although Escobar's eventual surrender had been brewing since November 1990, Escobar, in the midst of his negotiations, managed to obtain permission to build his own prison. For that purpose, and with the collaboration of the mayor of Envigado, Jota Mario Rodríguez, the government was offered a three-hectare plot of land, located in the area of 'La Catedral', where the Claret, a rehabilitation center for drug addicts, was being built. The then Vice Minister of Justice, Francisco Albeiro Zapata, visited the construction site and gave his approval. However, what was unknown was that the property had been purchased by Escobar. In May, more than 60 workers worked on more than 1,800 square meters to build the La Catedral prison. The contract had a rather clause: "No police or military authority will have access to the internal part of the prison."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/el-pastor-la-oveja-negra/15148-3/ |title=El Pastor y La Oveja Negra, Sección Nación, edición 472, Jun 17 1991 |date=17 June 1991 }}</ref> The surrender was to take place on May 18, 1991, but two events prevented it: the origin of the designated |
Eventually, the government negotiated with Escobar and convinced him to surrender and cease all criminal activity in exchange for a reduced sentence and preferential treatment during his captivity. Although Escobar's eventual surrender had been brewing since November 1990, Escobar, in the midst of his negotiations, managed to obtain permission to build his own prison. For that purpose, and with the collaboration of the mayor of Envigado, Jota Mario Rodríguez, the government was offered a three-hectare plot of land, located in the area of 'La Catedral', where the Claret, a rehabilitation center for drug addicts, was being built. The then Vice Minister of Justice, Francisco Albeiro Zapata, visited the construction site and gave his approval. However, what was unknown was that the property had been purchased by Escobar. In May, more than 60 workers worked on more than 1,800 square meters to build the La Catedral prison. The contract had a rather clause: "No police or military authority will have access to the internal part of the prison."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/el-pastor-la-oveja-negra/15148-3/ |title=El Pastor y La Oveja Negra, Sección Nación, edición 472, Jun 17 1991 |date=17 June 1991 }}</ref> The surrender was to take place on May 18, 1991, but two events prevented it: the origin of the designated prison governor, Jorge Pataquiva, from ], and of his guards, all from ]. Escobar wanted all his guards to be from ]. And second, the speech given on May 7 by the priest García Herreros in "El minuto de Dios" (God's Minute): a sermon in which he would not speak of Escobar or the surrender and continued to speak of God and the evil of pornography, but Escobar believed that it was a scolding for him, thinking that he had branded him a "pornography reader."<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/la-historia-no-contada-del-dia-en-que-se-entrego-pablo-escobar/202128/ |title=La historia no contada del día en que se entregó Pablo Escobar |date=19 June 2021 }}</ref> The next day García-Herreros met at La Loma, one of Fabio Ochoa's estates. He clarified that it was due to an editing error in the program and apologized to Escobar, who accepted his apologies but asked that they be made public.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hacemosmemoria.org/2021/09/20/el-padre-que-queria-llevar-al-cielo-a-pablo-escobar/ |title=El padre que quería llevar al cielo a Pablo Escobar |date=20 September 2021 }}</ref> | ||
The surrender process was resumed. First, 'Popeye' and Luis Carlos Aguilar 'El Mugre' (the filth) surrendered in the second week of June 1991 to be held in La Catedral prison. Later, on June 19, 1991, the day agreed upon for Escobar's surrender, Villamizar, García-Herreros and Luis Alirio Calle, a journalist admired by Escobar and with whom he maintained communication as a third (unofficial) mediator in his surrender, met at the offices of Criminal Investigation in Medellín. The three of them left in helicopters; Villamizar and García-Herreros in one, and Calle in the other with a smuggled recorder so he could record any important conversations, due to Escobar's demand that they not bring cameras or similar equipment to document his surrender. The helicopters arrived at a farm hidden in the middle of a jungle where Escobar boarded the helicopter where the priest and Villamizar were, and the rest of his men in the other helicopter. Both helicopters departed towards La Catedral where, upon arrival, Escobar surrendered his Sig Sauer pistol to Pataquiva and explored the prison shortly before making his surrender official.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jiménez |first=Édgar |date=2023-12-02 |title=Y a mí me tocó contarle al mundo la farsa de Pablo Escobar |url=https://cambiocolombia.com/pais/y-mi-me-toco-contarle-al-mundo-la-farsa-de-pablo-escobar |website=cambiocolombia.com}}</ref> | |||
Declaring an end to a series of previous violent acts meant to pressure authorities and public opinion, Escobar surrendered to Colombian authorities in 1991. At the same time of his surrender, on the way to prison, the extradition of Colombian citizens to the United States had been prohibited by the newly approved ]. This act was controversial, as it was suspected that Escobar and other drug lords had influenced members of the ] in passing the law.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> Escobar greeted his mother and wife, whom he had not seen in months. He had a short interview with Calle and was finally imprisoned that same night.<ref name="ReferenceA" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-166896 |title=Itinerario de la Primera Entrega de Pablo Escobar |date=29 July 1992 }}</ref> | |||
{{blockquote|As a consequence of the policy of peace and strengthening of justice of the President and his cabinet, I have decided to submit to decrees 2047<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-2169#:~:text=La%20Corte%20Suprema%20de%20Justicia,contenido%20en%20el%20decreto%202047.&text=Es%20una%20normatividad%20que%20deja,en%20una%20favorable%20situaci%C3%B3n%20penal |title=Constitucional el Decreto 2047: La Corte Vía Libre al Decreto de la Autoconfesión |date=27 October 1990 }}</ref><ref>http://historico.presidencia.gov.co/prensa_new/decretoslinea/1990/septiembre/05/dec2047051990.pdf |
{{blockquote|As a consequence of the policy of peace and strengthening of justice of the President and his cabinet, I have decided to submit to decrees 2047<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-2169#:~:text=La%20Corte%20Suprema%20de%20Justicia,contenido%20en%20el%20decreto%202047.&text=Es%20una%20normatividad%20que%20deja,en%20una%20favorable%20situaci%C3%B3n%20penal |title=Constitucional el Decreto 2047: La Corte Vía Libre al Decreto de la Autoconfesión |date=27 October 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=DECRETO 2047 DE 1990 |url=http://historico.presidencia.gov.co/prensa_new/decretoslinea/1990/septiembre/05/dec2047051990.pdf |date=1990-09-05 |website=historico.presidencia.gov.co}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.suin-juriscol.gov.co/viewDocument.asp?id=1390630|title=Decreto 2047 De 1990|website=www.suin-juriscol.gov.co}}</ref> and 2147,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.suin-juriscol.gov.co/viewDocument.asp?id=1407901|title=Decreto 2147 De 1990|website=www.suin-juriscol.gov.co}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://historico.presidencia.gov.co/prensa_new/decretoslinea/1990/septiembre/14/dec2147141990.pdf|title=Decreto 2147 De 1990|website=historico.presidencia.gov.co}}</ref> 2372<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.suin-juriscol.gov.co/viewDocument.asp?id=1443360|title=Decreto 2372 De 1990|website=www.suin-juriscol.gov.co}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://historico.presidencia.gov.co/prensa_new/decretoslinea/1990/octubre/08/dec2372081990.doc|title=Decreto 2372 De 1990|website=historico.presidencia.gov.co}}</ref> and 3030 of 1990 and 303 of 1991,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.suin-juriscol.gov.co/viewDocument.asp?id=1069756|title=Decreto 303 De 1991|website=www.suin-juriscol.gov.co}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://historico.presidencia.gov.co/prensa_new/decretoslinea/1990/diciembre/14/dec3030141990.pdf|title=Decreto 3030 De 1990|website=historico.presidencia.gov.co}}</ref> supported by the Attorney General of the Nation, by the honorable judges of the Supreme Court of Justice and by the vast majority of the people of Colombia...With my presentation and my submission to justice, I also wish to pay tribute to my parents, to my irreplaceable and incomparable wife, to my pacifist son of 14 years, to my toothless dancer of 7 years and to all my family whom I love so much. | ||
In these historic moments of the surrender of weapons by the guerrillas and the pacification of the country, I could not remain indifferent to the yearnings for peace of the vast majority of the people of Colombia. Pablo Escobar Gaviria. Envigado, Colombia, June 19, 1991.|Escobar's Declaration from La Catedral. June 19, 1991.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-106499 |title=Lo Hago Por la Paz de Colombia |date=21 June 1991 }}</ref>}} | In these historic moments of the surrender of weapons by the guerrillas and the pacification of the country, I could not remain indifferent to the yearnings for peace of the vast majority of the people of Colombia. Pablo Escobar Gaviria. Envigado, Colombia, June 19, 1991.|Escobar's Declaration from La Catedral. June 19, 1991.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-106499 |title=Lo Hago Por la Paz de Colombia |date=21 June 1991 }}</ref>}} | ||
====La Catedral prison==== | ====La Catedral prison==== | ||
{{Main|La Catedral}} | {{Main|La Catedral}} | ||
Between June 1991 and July 1992, Colombia experienced a period of relative peace, except for the government's war against the guerrillas, but such peace was superficial. It is said that shortly before his surrender, Escobar had met with his remaining associates Gerardo Moncada and Federico 'Kiko' Galeano, the Castaño Gil brothers and other mid- and low-level gangsters. Escobar, at that meeting, reaffirmed himself as the leader of the Medellin Cartel, and proclaimed himself the creator of the drug trafficking business, which is why he demanded that he be paid high sums of money for each shipment of drugs to the United States; going from being a drug lord to being an extortionist. According to 'Popeye', the apparent surrender at La Catedral would be nothing more than a vacation due to the war that Escobar was waging against the government. Escobar was confined in La Catedral with his older brother Roberto and several of his men; Otoniel González 'Otto', Carlos Aguilar 'Mugre' (The filth), John Jairo Velásquez 'Popeye', Valentín Taborda, Gustavo González 'Tavo', Jorge Eduardo Avendaño 'Tato' y Johnny Rivera 'El Palomo' (The pidgeon), José Fernando Ospina 'El Mago' (The Wizard), John Jairo Betancur 'Icopor' (Polystyrene), Carlos Díaz 'La Garra' (The Claw) y Alfonso León Puerta 'El Angelito'. Except for a few who still had influence in Medellín; Mario Castaño 'Chopo', Brances Muñoz 'Tyson' and John Jairo Posada 'Titi'; as well as his partners Moncada and Galeano who were in charge of shipping the cocaine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 July 2022 |title=Celda cinco estrellas, reinas de belleza y orgías: La vida de Pablo Escobar en la cárcel que mandó a construir |url=https://www.infobae.com/historias/2022/07/16/celda-cinco-estrellas-reinas-de-belleza-y-orgias-la-vida-de-pablo-escobar-en-la-carcel-que-mando-a-construir/}}</ref> | Between June 1991 and July 1992, Colombia experienced a period of relative peace, except for the government's war against the guerrillas, but such peace was superficial. It is said that shortly before his surrender, Escobar had met with his remaining associates Gerardo Moncada and Federico 'Kiko' Galeano, the Castaño Gil brothers and other mid- and low-level gangsters. Escobar, at that meeting, reaffirmed himself as the leader of the Medellin Cartel, and proclaimed himself the creator of the drug trafficking business, which is why he demanded that he be paid high sums of money for each shipment of drugs to the United States; going from being a drug lord to being an extortionist. According to 'Popeye', the apparent surrender at La Catedral would be nothing more than a vacation due to the war that Escobar was waging against the government. Escobar was confined in La Catedral with his older brother Roberto and several of his men; Otoniel González 'Otto', Carlos Aguilar 'Mugre' (The filth), John Jairo Velásquez 'Popeye', Valentín Taborda, Gustavo González 'Tavo', Jorge Eduardo Avendaño 'Tato' y Johnny Rivera 'El Palomo' (The pidgeon), José Fernando Ospina 'El Mago' (The Wizard), John Jairo Betancur 'Icopor' (Polystyrene), Carlos Díaz 'La Garra' (The Claw) y Alfonso León Puerta 'El Angelito'. Except for a few who still had influence in Medellín; Mario Castaño 'Chopo', Brances Muñoz 'Tyson' and John Jairo Posada 'Titi'; as well as his partners Moncada and Galeano who were in charge of shipping the cocaine.<ref name="auto10">{{Cite web |date=16 July 2022 |title=Celda cinco estrellas, reinas de belleza y orgías: La vida de Pablo Escobar en la cárcel que mandó a construir |url=https://www.infobae.com/historias/2022/07/16/celda-cinco-estrellas-reinas-de-belleza-y-orgias-la-vida-de-pablo-escobar-en-la-carcel-que-mando-a-construir/}}</ref> | ||
The Israeli firms that were supposed to finish building the prison never completed their work because they were paralyzed by Escobar's payroll in Medellín.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pablo Escobar: Escape de la Catedral |url=https://open.spotify.com/show/2tNSUHrq9fUBrOHAwLD4VF |website=]}}</ref> Meanwhile, double-bottomed trucks entered La Catedral transporting money, weapons and even people. La Catedral gradually went from being a 'maximum security prison' to a 'maximum comfort prison'; La Catedral, which featured a football pitch, a giant dollhouse, a luxurious living room designed by his wife Victoria Eugenia, a bar, a Jacuzzi, and a waterfall. Also a strong security provided by the Colombian Army outside, restricted airspace and the penitentiary authorities designated by the state to guard his confinement, although the majority actually were Escobar's hitmen in prison guard uniforms.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 August 2012 |title=La única buena obra de Pablo Escobar |url=http://www.hoy.es/v/20120806/internacional/unica-buena-obra-pablo-20120806.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 October 2023 |title=La Catedral: Cómo era la lujosa cárcel que Pablo Escobar mandó a construir |url=https://www.latercera.com/tendencias/noticia/la-catedral-como-era-la-lujosa-carcel-que-pablo-escobar-mando-a-construir/RX3RIVEORNFP5MI55ZATQWR2CE/}}</ref><ref |
The Israeli firms that were supposed to finish building the prison never completed their work because they were paralyzed by Escobar's payroll in Medellín.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pablo Escobar: Escape de la Catedral |url=https://open.spotify.com/show/2tNSUHrq9fUBrOHAwLD4VF |website=]}}</ref> Meanwhile, double-bottomed trucks entered La Catedral transporting money, weapons and even people. La Catedral gradually went from being a 'maximum security prison' to a 'maximum comfort prison'; La Catedral, which featured a football pitch, a giant dollhouse, a luxurious living room designed by his wife Victoria Eugenia, a bar, a Jacuzzi, and a waterfall. Also a strong security provided by the Colombian Army outside, restricted airspace and the penitentiary authorities designated by the state to guard his confinement, although the majority actually were Escobar's hitmen in prison guard uniforms.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 August 2012 |title=La única buena obra de Pablo Escobar |url=http://www.hoy.es/v/20120806/internacional/unica-buena-obra-pablo-20120806.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 October 2023 |title=La Catedral: Cómo era la lujosa cárcel que Pablo Escobar mandó a construir |url=https://www.latercera.com/tendencias/noticia/la-catedral-como-era-la-lujosa-carcel-que-pablo-escobar-mando-a-construir/RX3RIVEORNFP5MI55ZATQWR2CE/}}</ref><ref name="auto10"/> Escobar also organised soccer games with ] players at La Catedral.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2023 |title=El día que la selección Colombia fue engañada y terminó visitando al cartel de Cali |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/09/01/el-dia-que-la-seleccion-colombia-fue-enganada-y-termino-visitando-al-cartel-de-cali/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 November 2022 |title=Goles en contra: Atlético Nacional de Medellín, ¿realmente jugó un partido contra el equipo de Pablo Escobar en la Catedral? | Serie de Netflix nnda NNLT | MAG |url=https://elcomercio.pe/mag/fama/goles-en-contra-atletico-nacional-de-medellin-realmente-jugo-un-partido-contra-el-equipo-de-pablo-escobar-en-la-catedral-serie-de-netflix-nnda-nnlt-noticia/}}</ref> He also had orgies with beauty queens and models, which at one point angered his wife.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 September 2023 |title=Las reinas de belleza que habrían pasado por la cárcel de Pablo Escobar |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/09/09/las-reinas-de-belleza-que-habrian-pasado-por-la-carcel-de-pablo-escobar/}}</ref> | ||
Escobar's luxuries were discovered by Attorney General Carlos Gustavo Arrieta, who raised his complaints to President Gaviria, who dismissed them as harmless. Accounts of Escobar's continued criminal activities while in prison began to surface in the media,<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2016 |title=La Catedral de Pablo Escobar: El lunar en la vida de Fernando Carrillo |url=https://www.las2orillas.co/la-catedral-de-pablo-escobar-el-lunar-en-la-vida-de-fernando-carrillo/}}</ref> Although there were unconfirmed rumors that Escobar still maintained control over the Medellín Cartel, Henry Pérez, leader of the paramilitaries of Magdalena Medio, was killed in the middle of religious celebrations in Puerto Boyacá. Pérez, who had long been an ally of Escobar and one of those who attempted to kill Galán in 1989, entered into conflict with Escobar, who ordered his assassination, although Escobar would deny any accusation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 July 1991 |title=La Muerte de Henry Pérez |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-125530}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 July 1991 |title=Asesinado Jefe de Autodefensas |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-123637}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 September 2008 |title=Henry Pérez, el enemigo de Pablo Escobar (Semana) |url=https://verdadabierta.com/el-enemigo-de-escobar/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 January 1980 |title=Asesinato de Gonzalo y de Henry de Jesús Pérez |url=https://verdadabierta.com/asesinato-de-gonzalo-y-de-henry-de-jesus-perez/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2024 |title=La cacería de Pablo Escobar: Exagente de la DEA reveló detalles de su alianza con los paramilitares |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/02/01/la-caceria-de-pablo-escobar-exagente-de-la-dea-revelo-detalles-de-su-alianza-con-los-paramilitares/}}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} | Escobar's luxuries were discovered by Attorney General Carlos Gustavo Arrieta, who raised his complaints to President Gaviria, who dismissed them as harmless. Accounts of Escobar's continued criminal activities while in prison began to surface in the media,<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2016 |title=La Catedral de Pablo Escobar: El lunar en la vida de Fernando Carrillo |url=https://www.las2orillas.co/la-catedral-de-pablo-escobar-el-lunar-en-la-vida-de-fernando-carrillo/}}</ref> Although there were unconfirmed rumors that Escobar still maintained control over the Medellín Cartel, Henry Pérez, leader of the paramilitaries of Magdalena Medio, was killed in the middle of religious celebrations in Puerto Boyacá. Pérez, who had long been an ally of Escobar and one of those who attempted to kill Galán in 1989, entered into conflict with Escobar, who ordered his assassination, although Escobar would deny any accusation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 July 1991 |title=La Muerte de Henry Pérez |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-125530}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 July 1991 |title=Asesinado Jefe de Autodefensas |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-123637}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 September 2008 |title=Henry Pérez, el enemigo de Pablo Escobar (Semana) |url=https://verdadabierta.com/el-enemigo-de-escobar/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 January 1980 |title=Asesinato de Gonzalo y de Henry de Jesús Pérez |url=https://verdadabierta.com/asesinato-de-gonzalo-y-de-henry-de-jesus-perez/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2024 |title=La cacería de Pablo Escobar: Exagente de la DEA reveló detalles de su alianza con los paramilitares |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/02/01/la-caceria-de-pablo-escobar-exagente-de-la-dea-revelo-detalles-de-su-alianza-con-los-paramilitares/}}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} | ||
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While the rest of the relatives of Moncada and Galeano were murdered in Medellín and its surrounding towns, Mireya Galeano joined the Pepes, and was helped by Rodolfo Ospina Baraya 'Chapulín', secret associate of the Medellín Cartel and grandson of the former president ], sends a video to the Prosecutor General's Office giving statements about what happened in La Catedral.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 November 2013 |title=La nueva identidad del nieto de un expresidente ligado al cartel |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/CMS-13218665}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 March 1993 |title=Aparece Sobreviviente de Matanza de la Catedral |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-69687}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 November 2003 |title=De cazador a cazado, Sección Nación, edición 1126, Nov 30 2003 |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/de-cazador-cazado/62281-3/}}</ref> Furious, general prosecutor ] showed the evidence to Gaviria, who, outraged, called a Security Council attended by the ministers of defense and justice, and the commanders of the army and the police, Fernando Britto, head of DAS, Arrieta and Fabio Villegas, secretary general of the presidency; which prompted the government to attempt to move him to a more conventional jail on 22 July 1992. During 21 July, 1991, it was decided that the army would take over the prison in order to take Escobar and his men prisoner and transfer them to a military garrison. It was also decided that those in charge of this task would be Colonel Hernando Navas Rubio, national director of prisons, and Eduardo Mendoza, vice-minister of justice. Both went in the same car to ] in Bogotá, unaware of their functions. Upon arriving at the ] in Rionegro, they were informed by Brigadier General Gustavo Pardo Ariza.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ariza |first=Gustavo Pardo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KOd8DQAAQBAJ |title=Cogobierno desde la Catedral: Verdadera historia de la fuga de Pablo Escobar de la cárcel-hotel |date=14 November 2016 |publisher=Gustavo Pardo Ariza |isbn=978-1-5403-8317-4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 October 1992 |title=Pardo Ariza No Cumplió Órdenes |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-220010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 October 2023 |title=La Catedral: Cómo era la lujosa cárcel que Pablo Escobar mandó a construir |url=https://www.latercera.com/tendencias/noticia/la-catedral-como-era-la-lujosa-carcel-que-pablo-escobar-mando-a-construir/RX3RIVEORNFP5MI55ZATQWR2CE/#}}</ref> | While the rest of the relatives of Moncada and Galeano were murdered in Medellín and its surrounding towns, Mireya Galeano joined the Pepes, and was helped by Rodolfo Ospina Baraya 'Chapulín', secret associate of the Medellín Cartel and grandson of the former president ], sends a video to the Prosecutor General's Office giving statements about what happened in La Catedral.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 November 2013 |title=La nueva identidad del nieto de un expresidente ligado al cartel |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/CMS-13218665}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 March 1993 |title=Aparece Sobreviviente de Matanza de la Catedral |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-69687}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 November 2003 |title=De cazador a cazado, Sección Nación, edición 1126, Nov 30 2003 |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/de-cazador-cazado/62281-3/}}</ref> Furious, general prosecutor ] showed the evidence to Gaviria, who, outraged, called a Security Council attended by the ministers of defense and justice, and the commanders of the army and the police, Fernando Britto, head of DAS, Arrieta and Fabio Villegas, secretary general of the presidency; which prompted the government to attempt to move him to a more conventional jail on 22 July 1992. During 21 July, 1991, it was decided that the army would take over the prison in order to take Escobar and his men prisoner and transfer them to a military garrison. It was also decided that those in charge of this task would be Colonel Hernando Navas Rubio, national director of prisons, and Eduardo Mendoza, vice-minister of justice. Both went in the same car to ] in Bogotá, unaware of their functions. Upon arriving at the ] in Rionegro, they were informed by Brigadier General Gustavo Pardo Ariza.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ariza |first=Gustavo Pardo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KOd8DQAAQBAJ |title=Cogobierno desde la Catedral: Verdadera historia de la fuga de Pablo Escobar de la cárcel-hotel |date=14 November 2016 |publisher=Gustavo Pardo Ariza |isbn=978-1-5403-8317-4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 October 1992 |title=Pardo Ariza No Cumplió Órdenes |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-220010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 October 2023 |title=La Catedral: Cómo era la lujosa cárcel que Pablo Escobar mandó a construir |url=https://www.latercera.com/tendencias/noticia/la-catedral-como-era-la-lujosa-carcel-que-pablo-escobar-mando-a-construir/RX3RIVEORNFP5MI55ZATQWR2CE/#}}</ref> | ||
Navas, along with the army, would begin the militarization of the prison and coordinate the transfer of Escobar and his men, while Mendoza, as vice-minister, would represent the government in the operation. However, the operation failed; most of the soldiers were resting because they had marched on July 20th to commemorate Independence Day; several trucks with not many soldiers were going directly to the mountain where La Catedral was located, something that Escobar noticed through the peasants in the area on his payroll; in addition to the chain of errors committed that same night. With the permission of Pardo Ariza, Navas and Mendoza arrived at La Catedral. Navas entered disobeying the direct orders of the presidency and informed Escobar of the government's decision to militarize the prison and transfer it to a military base. Escobar demanded that a government representative attend, making Mendoza enter as well. Feeling betrayed by the government for not fulfilling what was agreed in surrender, Escobar called the ]. Mendoza spoke first and Escobar, when he came to the phone, asked to speak to the president or, failing that, to the minister of justice, but both refused. Escobar took both officials hostage and made a second call to the Presidential Palace; but the secretary general Fabio Villegas Restrepo answered, announcing to Navas and Mendoza that they were dismissed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 September 1992 |title=Fiscal Entregó Declaración Sobre Hechos de la Catedral |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-201753}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 March 2010 |title=La Catedral de Pablo Escobar: El plan |
Navas, along with the army, would begin the militarization of the prison and coordinate the transfer of Escobar and his men, while Mendoza, as vice-minister, would represent the government in the operation. However, the operation failed; most of the soldiers were resting because they had marched on July 20th to commemorate Independence Day; several trucks with not many soldiers were going directly to the mountain where La Catedral was located, something that Escobar noticed through the peasants in the area on his payroll; in addition to the chain of errors committed that same night. With the permission of Pardo Ariza, Navas and Mendoza arrived at La Catedral. Navas entered disobeying the direct orders of the presidency and informed Escobar of the government's decision to militarize the prison and transfer it to a military base. Escobar demanded that a government representative attend, making Mendoza enter as well. Feeling betrayed by the government for not fulfilling what was agreed in surrender, Escobar called the ]. Mendoza spoke first and Escobar, when he came to the phone, asked to speak to the president or, failing that, to the minister of justice, but both refused. Escobar took both officials hostage and made a second call to the Presidential Palace; but the secretary general Fabio Villegas Restrepo answered, announcing to Navas and Mendoza that they were dismissed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 September 1992 |title=Fiscal Entregó Declaración Sobre Hechos de la Catedral |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-201753}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 March 2010 |title=La Catedral de Pablo Escobar: El plan – Testigo Directo |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHNJYGrPLUk |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 1992 |title=Emplazan a Escobar, A Arete y a Chopo |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-260302}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 October 1992 |title="Soy el Unico Testigo Contra Pablo Escobar" |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/soy-el-unico-testigo-contra-pablo-escobar/18419-3/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 July 1992 |title=La Catedral: Sigue el Remezón |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-167314}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 May 2019 |title=El nuevo lío de Eduardo Mendoza, acusado ahora por las chuzadas a los pilotos de Avianca |url=https://www.las2orillas.co/el-nuevo-lio-de-eduardo-mendoza-acusado-ahora-por-las-chuzadas-los-pilotos-de-avianca/}}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} Escobar's influence allowed him to discover the plan in advance and make a successful escape; mistakenly thinking that he would be extradited or killed, Escobar and his men flee from La Catedral; they kick a wall made of ] instead of ], and take advantage of the darkness and fog in the area and the blackout of the ']', spending the remainder of his life evading the police.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 June 2021 |title=Hace 30 años Pablo Escobar se entregaba al Gobierno colombiano |url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/hemeroteca/20210619/7539445/pablo-escobar-narcotraficante-colombia-carceles-la-catedral-biografia.html}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Treaster |first=Joseph B. |date=23 July 1992 |title=Colombian Drug Baron Escapes Luxurious Prison After Gunfight |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/07/23/world/colombian-drug-baron-escapes-luxurious-prison-after-gunfight.html?pagewanted=3&src=pm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502091622/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/07/23/world/colombian-drug-baron-escapes-luxurious-prison-after-gunfight.html?pagewanted=3&src=pm |archive-date=2 May 2013 |access-date=21 July 2011 |work=The New York Times |page=1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ross |first=Timothy |date=24 July 1992 |title=Escobar escape humiliates Colombian leaders |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/1992/jul/24/colombia.fromthearchive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403181537/https://www.theguardian.com/world/1992/jul/24/colombia.fromthearchive |archive-date=3 April 2019 |access-date=7 February 2017 |work=The Guardian |via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref>In the early hours of July 22, the missing soldiers arrive and invade La Catedral, rescuing Navas and Mendoza and capturing a few of Escobar's hitmen. It is also discovered that the soldiers guarding the prison outside had been bribed by Escobar.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 July 1992 |title=La Catedral: Toma, Paso a Paso |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-166213}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=22 July 2022 |title=La fuga de la Catedral: Cómo escapó Pablo Escobar de la prisión donde asesinaba a sus enemigos |url=https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/latinoamerica/pablo-escobar-como-fue-la-fuga-del-narcotraficante-de-la-carcel-la-catedral-el-22-de-julio-de-1992-hace-30-anos-cartel-de-medellin-colombia-narcotrafico-narracion-historias-ec-noticia/?ref=ecr#google_vignette |work=El Comercio}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 2018 |title=Secretos de la retoma y fotos inéditas de la Catedral |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/medellin/como-se-veia-la-carcel-privada-de-pablo-escobar-la-catedral-299846}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1992/07/23/internacional/711842408_850215.html |title=El 'narco' Pablo Escobar se fuga de la cárcel tras encabezar un motín |newspaper=El País |date=23 July 1992 |last1=Lozano |first1=Pilar }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/colombia/2018/07/22/el-dia-que-pablo-escobar-se-fugo-de-la-carcel-pateando-un-muro/ |title=El día que Pablo Escobar se fugó de la cárcel pateando un muro |date=22 July 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/CMS-16089168 |title=Recordando la fuga de Pablo Escobar de la Catedral |date=13 July 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/esperando-escobar/18615-3 |title=Esperando a Escobar |date=9 November 1992 }}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} | ||
===Escape and final stage=== | ===Escape and final stage=== | ||
{{Main|Los Pepes|Search Bloc}} | {{Main|Los Pepes|Search Bloc}} | ||
⚫ | Escobar's escape represented the biggest mockery of the Gaviria government in the eyes of the public, and Colombian justice would end up being discredited internationally.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://testigodirecto.com/fuga-de-pablo-escobar-28-anos-de-la-peor-burla-al-pais/ |title=Fuga de Pablo Escobar: 28 años de la peor burla al país |date=16 September 2020 }}</ref> The government reactivated the Elite Group, renaming it the ], a body made up of the National Police and the National Army with the collaboration of the DEA to hunt down the fugitives and dismantle their criminal empire once and for all. The leaders of the Cali Cartel were responsible for unleashing the war again, by activating a car bomb in Medellín that they attributed to their enemies from Antioquia, at the same time that they decided to finance Los Pepes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comisiondelaverdad.co/el-bloque-de-busqueda|title=El Bloque de Búsqueda|website=www.comisiondelaverdad.co}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rcnradio.com/entretenimiento/bloque-de-busqueda-que-hacian-a-quien-perseguia |title=Bloque de búsqueda, ¿qué hacían? ¿A quien perseguía? Serie Canal RCN |date=6 December 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-282654 |title=El Bloque de Búsqueda, Personaje 93 |date=31 December 1993 }}</ref> | ||
] | |||
⚫ | Escobar's escape represented the biggest mockery of the Gaviria government in the eyes of the public, and Colombian justice would end up being discredited internationally.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://testigodirecto.com/fuga-de-pablo-escobar-28-anos-de-la-peor-burla-al-pais/ |title=Fuga de Pablo Escobar: 28 años de la peor burla al país |date=16 September 2020 }}</ref> The government reactivated the Elite Group, renaming it the ], a body made up of the National Police and the National Army with the collaboration of the DEA to hunt down the fugitives and dismantle their criminal empire once and for all. The leaders of the Cali Cartel were responsible for unleashing the war again, by activating a car bomb in Medellín that they attributed to their enemies from Antioquia, at the same time that they decided to finance Los Pepes.<ref>{{ |
||
While Escobar ordered the murder of police officers, new terrorist attacks with car bombs and some selective assassinations, the Search Bloc was only able to carry out raids and the shooting down of 'Tyson' on October 28, 1992, corrupt police elements allied with Los Pepes in order to finish off Escobar and his thugs, specially Police Colonel ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/pacto-diablo/91048-3/ |title=Pacto con el diablo, Sección Nación, edición 1346, Feb 16 2008 |date=16 February 2008 }}</ref> Following a ]-like tactic; In order to take pieces from the opponent, both the Pepes and the Search Bloc were dealing blows to Escobar's hitman structure.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/01/31/en-carta-a-la-jep-gaviria-desmiente-alianza-del-gobierno-con-los-pepes/ |title=Alianza de policías y militares con "Los Pepes" para capturar a Pablo Escobar: Esto dijo el entonces presidente César Gaviria |date=31 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/justicia/articulo/asi-habria-sido-la-macabra-alianza-entre-el-estado-y-los-llamados-pepes-en-la-guerra-contra-pablo-escobar-segun-la-confesion-del-coronel-r-aguilar/202436/ |title=Así habría sido la macabra alianza entre el Estado y los llamados 'Pepes' en la guerra contra Pablo Escobar, según la confesión del coronel (R) Aguilar |date=27 January 2024 }}</ref> Although the Colombian government offered a reward of one billion Colombian pesos for the capture of Escobar, the US offered two million dollars. Escobar and his men did not sit still and continued their crime spree. Escobar's hitmen murdered the faceless public order judge Myriam Rocío Vélez;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-205011 |title=Asesinada Una Jueza Sin Rostro |date=19 September 1992 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-211183 |title=Los Días de Miryam Rocío |date=27 September 1992 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/regreso-al-terror/18449-3/ |title=Regreso al Terror |date=19 October 1992 }}</ref> the captain of the judicial police Fernando Posada Hoyos, one of the staunchest enemies of the Medellín Cartel;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-261890 |title=Dinamitan Casa de Jefe de Inteligencia |date=20 December 1992 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-68104 |title=Hijo de Escobar Habría Actuado en Un Asesinato |date=8 March 1993 }}</ref> and they kidnapped and murdered Lizandro Ospina Baraya, brother of 'Chapulín' and also grandson of former president Ospina Pérez in retaliation for testifying against Escobar in court for the murder of Galán.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-90933 |title=Captores Mataron a Lisandro Ospina B |date=31 March 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-102158 |title=DOS Capturas Para Escobar |date=14 April 1993 }}</ref> The car bombs continued in the streets of several Colombian cities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-949482 |title=Historia de Otras Bombas |date=12 November 1999 }}</ref> By March 29, 1993, most of Escobar's hitmen had been arrested or killed. The final surrender of 'Popeye', 'El Mugre' and 'El Osito', Escobar's older brother, stands out on October 28, 1992. That surrender had been one of Escobar's gestures trying to negotiate another surrender, which was ignored by the government demanding an unconditional surrender.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1992/10/09/internacional/718585213_850215.html |title=Se entregan tres lugartenientes del 'narco' colombiano Pablo Escobar |newspaper=El País |date=9 October 1992 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-220674 |title=Ningún Delito Confesaron Osito , Popeye y Otto |date=10 October 1992 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/esperando-escobar/18615-3/ |title=Esperando a Escobar |date=9 November 1992 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-219926 |title=Escobar: Inminente Entrega |date=9 October 1992 }}</ref> | While Escobar ordered the murder of police officers, new terrorist attacks with car bombs and some selective assassinations, the Search Bloc was only able to carry out raids and the shooting down of 'Tyson' on October 28, 1992, corrupt police elements allied with Los Pepes in order to finish off Escobar and his thugs, specially Police Colonel ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/pacto-diablo/91048-3/ |title=Pacto con el diablo, Sección Nación, edición 1346, Feb 16 2008 |date=16 February 2008 }}</ref> Following a ]-like tactic; In order to take pieces from the opponent, both the Pepes and the Search Bloc were dealing blows to Escobar's hitman structure.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/01/31/en-carta-a-la-jep-gaviria-desmiente-alianza-del-gobierno-con-los-pepes/ |title=Alianza de policías y militares con "Los Pepes" para capturar a Pablo Escobar: Esto dijo el entonces presidente César Gaviria |date=31 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/justicia/articulo/asi-habria-sido-la-macabra-alianza-entre-el-estado-y-los-llamados-pepes-en-la-guerra-contra-pablo-escobar-segun-la-confesion-del-coronel-r-aguilar/202436/ |title=Así habría sido la macabra alianza entre el Estado y los llamados 'Pepes' en la guerra contra Pablo Escobar, según la confesión del coronel (R) Aguilar |date=27 January 2024 }}</ref> Although the Colombian government offered a reward of one billion Colombian pesos for the capture of Escobar, the US offered two million dollars. Escobar and his men did not sit still and continued their crime spree. Escobar's hitmen murdered the faceless public order judge Myriam Rocío Vélez;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-205011 |title=Asesinada Una Jueza Sin Rostro |date=19 September 1992 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-211183 |title=Los Días de Miryam Rocío |date=27 September 1992 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/regreso-al-terror/18449-3/ |title=Regreso al Terror |date=19 October 1992 }}</ref> the captain of the judicial police Fernando Posada Hoyos, one of the staunchest enemies of the Medellín Cartel;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-261890 |title=Dinamitan Casa de Jefe de Inteligencia |date=20 December 1992 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-68104 |title=Hijo de Escobar Habría Actuado en Un Asesinato |date=8 March 1993 }}</ref> and they kidnapped and murdered Lizandro Ospina Baraya, brother of 'Chapulín' and also grandson of former president Ospina Pérez in retaliation for testifying against Escobar in court for the murder of Galán.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-90933 |title=Captores Mataron a Lisandro Ospina B |date=31 March 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-102158 |title=DOS Capturas Para Escobar |date=14 April 1993 }}</ref> The car bombs continued in the streets of several Colombian cities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-949482 |title=Historia de Otras Bombas |date=12 November 1999 }}</ref> By March 29, 1993, most of Escobar's hitmen had been arrested or killed. The final surrender of 'Popeye', 'El Mugre' and 'El Osito', Escobar's older brother, stands out on October 28, 1992. That surrender had been one of Escobar's gestures trying to negotiate another surrender, which was ignored by the government demanding an unconditional surrender.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1992/10/09/internacional/718585213_850215.html |title=Se entregan tres lugartenientes del 'narco' colombiano Pablo Escobar |newspaper=El País |date=9 October 1992 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-220674 |title=Ningún Delito Confesaron Osito , Popeye y Otto |date=10 October 1992 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/esperando-escobar/18615-3/ |title=Esperando a Escobar |date=9 November 1992 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-219926 |title=Escobar: Inminente Entrega |date=9 October 1992 }}</ref> | ||
For their part, Los Pepes dedicated themselves to killing Escobar's front men, accountants, lawyers and family members, as well as destroying their properties and undermining their finances.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/quienes-pepes/19520-3/ |title=¿Quiénes son los Pepes? |date=29 March 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-58629 |title=Reflexión Sobre los Pepes |date=27 February 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |
For their part, Los Pepes dedicated themselves to killing Escobar's front men, accountants, lawyers and family members, as well as destroying their properties and undermining their finances.<ref name="eltiempo.com"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/quienes-pepes/19520-3/ |title=¿Quiénes son los Pepes? |date=29 March 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-58629 |title=Reflexión Sobre los Pepes |date=27 February 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Carta a los Pepes de Pablo Escobar |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-270769 |date=2 December 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elcolombiano.com/blogs/revelacionesdelbajomundo/los-pepes-un-horror-que-sigue-en-la-impunidad/6733 |title=Revelaciones del bajo mundo – "Los Pepes", un horror que sigue en la impunidad |date=2 December 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/fidel-castano-yo-fui-el-creador-de-los-pepes-revelaciones-a-revista-semana/22770/ |title=Fidel Castaño "Yo fui el creador de los pepes": Revelaciones a Revista SEMANA |date=27 June 1994 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1993-02-04 |title=Muertos Ayer Cuatro De Los Pepes- Archivo Digital de Noticias de Colombia y el Mundo desde 1.990 |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-32288 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611074820/https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-32288 |archive-date=2017-06-11 |access-date= |website=www.eltiempo.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/historia-america/2018/11/04/la-historia-de-los-pepes-el-grupo-armado-ilegal-que-ayudo-a-matar-a-pablo-escobar/ |title=La historia de los Pepes, el grupo armado ilegal que ayudó a matar a Pablo Escobar |date=4 November 2018 }}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} Although Escobar also responded in kind and publicly revealed their names, this did not prevent both Los Pepes and the Search Bloc from maintaining a superior advantage over Escobar, whose last car bomb attack under their orders was in the Centro 93 Mall in northern Bogotá, on April 15, 1993, ironically, the day on which the deadline imposed by the government on Escobar for his unconditional surrender expired, which was not an option for Escobar while he and/or his family were in danger of dying at the hands of Los Pepes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/bogota/asi-recuerdo-la-bomba-de-la-93-el-atentando-en-la-calle-mas-glamurosa-de-bogota-hace-31-anos-3333825 |title=Así fue la bomba de la 93, el atentado en la calle más glamurosa de Bogotá hace 31 años |date=15 April 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=¿Por Qué La Industria Cambia? |url=https://revista.fasecolda.com/index.php/revfasecolda/article/download/226/220/434 |website=revista.fasecolda.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2016-04-15 |title=Rendirán homenaje a las víctimas de atentado al Centro de la 93 |url=https://www.elespectador.com/colombia/mas-regiones/rendiran-homenaje-a-las-victimas-de-atentado-al-centro-de-la-93-article-627208/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-105294 |title=Una Bomba Anunciada |date=18 April 1993 }}</ref> | ||
On April 17, 1993, Guido Parra Montoya, Escobar's lawyer, and his son Guido Andrés Parra were kidnapped and murdered by the Pepes, and their corpses were abandoned in an unpopulated area of Envigado.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-104989 |title=Asesinan al Abogado Guido Parra y a Su Hijo |date=17 April 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://caracol.com.co/radio/1999/01/22/judicial/0916988400_073573.html |title=Asesinan Otro Abogado del Fallecido Capo Pablo Escobar |date=22 January 1999 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-105455 |title=Hallan Armas en Finca de la Familia Parra M |date=18 April 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.noticiascaracol.com/colombia/el-abogado-del-diablo-defendio-a-pablo-escobar-y-tuvo-que-rogar-por-tv-para-que-no-lo-mataran-rg10 |title=El abogado del diablo: Defendió a Pablo Escobar y tuvo que rogar por TV para que no lo mataran |date=4 December 2023 }}</ref> | On April 17, 1993, Guido Parra Montoya, Escobar's lawyer, and his son Guido Andrés Parra were kidnapped and murdered by the Pepes, and their corpses were abandoned in an unpopulated area of Envigado.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-104989 |title=Asesinan al Abogado Guido Parra y a Su Hijo |date=17 April 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://caracol.com.co/radio/1999/01/22/judicial/0916988400_073573.html |title=Asesinan Otro Abogado del Fallecido Capo Pablo Escobar |date=22 January 1999 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-105455 |title=Hallan Armas en Finca de la Familia Parra M |date=18 April 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.noticiascaracol.com/colombia/el-abogado-del-diablo-defendio-a-pablo-escobar-y-tuvo-que-rogar-por-tv-para-que-no-lo-mataran-rg10 |title=El abogado del diablo: Defendió a Pablo Escobar y tuvo que rogar por TV para que no lo mataran |date=4 December 2023 }}</ref> | ||
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{{blockquote|That they will never catch me in the great fucking life, and that from the jungle I will order them all to be killed and in the long run the ones who will lose will be them.|Audio intercepted of Escobar speaking in a threatening tone.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.es/historia/abci-muerte-pablo-escobar-segun-agentes-acorralaron-202011140104_noticia.html |title=Así fue la muerte de Pablo Escobar, según los agentes que lo acorralaron |date=14 November 2020 }}</ref>}} | {{blockquote|That they will never catch me in the great fucking life, and that from the jungle I will order them all to be killed and in the long run the ones who will lose will be them.|Audio intercepted of Escobar speaking in a threatening tone.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.es/historia/abci-muerte-pablo-escobar-segun-agentes-acorralaron-202011140104_noticia.html |title=Así fue la muerte de Pablo Escobar, según los agentes que lo acorralaron |date=14 November 2020 }}</ref>}} | ||
Although he managed to evade the Search Bloc for another 6 months, by October 1992, Escobar had lost all of his power; his last chief of bodyguards, 'El Angelito', was killed by the police on October 6 along with his brother, Álvaro Puerta.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-237841 |title=Cayó Anoche el Último Hombre de Escobar |date=7 October 1993 }}</ref> Escobar tried on several occasions to negotiate his surrender in exchange for safeguarding his family, but his proposal found no support in the government. His mother was the victim of several unsuccessful assassination attempts by the Pepes,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-49221 |title=Hijos de Escobar Huyen de los Pepes |date=19 February 1993 }}</ref> and his brother Roberto, despite being in prison, was the victim of a letter bomb sent by the Pepes that left him blind in one eye.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-277232 |title=Carta-Bomba Hiere a Osito |date=19 December 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-5635 |title=El Osito le Propone Paz a Sus Enemigos |date=3 January 1994 }}</ref> | Although he managed to evade the Search Bloc for another 6 months, by October 1992, Escobar had lost all of his power; his last chief of bodyguards, 'El Angelito', was killed by the police on October 6 along with his brother, Álvaro Puerta.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-237841 |title=Cayó Anoche el Último Hombre de Escobar |date=7 October 1993 }}</ref> Escobar tried on several occasions to negotiate his surrender in exchange for safeguarding his family, but his proposal found no support in the government. His mother was the victim of several unsuccessful assassination attempts by the Pepes,<ref name="auto3">{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-49221 |title=Hijos de Escobar Huyen de los Pepes |date=19 February 1993 }}</ref> and his brother Roberto, despite being in prison, was the victim of a letter bomb sent by the Pepes that left him blind in one eye.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-277232 |title=Carta-Bomba Hiere a Osito |date=19 December 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-5635 |title=El Osito le Propone Paz a Sus Enemigos |date=3 January 1994 }}</ref> | ||
Escobar faced threats from the Colombian police, the U.S. government and his rivals Pepes, and the Cali Cartel. By this reason Escobar attempted to get his family (his wife Victoria Henao and his children Juan Pablo along with his girlfriend Doria Andrea Ochoa, and his youngest daughter Manuela)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-160583 |title=El Exodo de los Familiares de Pablo Escobar y Osito |date=29 June 1993 }}</ref> out of the country; twice to the United States without any success, and finally to Europe with a stopover in ], but the German authorities were warned by both the Colombian police and the DEA (with two agents on board the plane), and they were all immediately deported to Colombia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-268024 |title=Los Escobar a Alemania |date=28 November 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1993/11/29/internacional/754527616_850215.html |title=Alemania impide a la familia de Pablo Escobar la entrada en el país |newspaper=El País |date=29 November 1993 |last1=García |first1=Maria Isabel }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.las2orillas.co/el-vuelo-alemania-que-provoco-la-muerte-de-pablo-escobar/ |title=El vuelo a Alemania que provocó la muerte de Pablo Escobar |date=27 January 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-269161 |title=Regresó la Familia de Escobar |date=30 November 1993 }}</ref> Upon arrival at El Dorado airport, the Escobar Henao family was taken into the custody of the Colombian authorities and confined to an apartment in the ] Residences in the International Center of Bogotá, under strict police surveillance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/08/03/el-hotel-tequendama-el-lugar-en-bogota-que-marco-la-caida-de-pablo-escobar/ |title=El Hotel Tequendama, el lugar en Bogotá que marcó la caída de Pablo Escobar |date=3 August 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/12/03/la-negociacion-de-la-viuda-de-pablo-escobar-con-el-cartel-de-cali-y-como-su-riqueza-siguio-alimentando-el-narcotrafico/ |title=La negociación de la viuda de Pablo Escobar con el cartel de Cali y cómo su riqueza siguió alimentando el narcotráfico |date=3 December 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-290597 |title=La Familia de Escobar Salió en Enero del País |date=23 February 1995 }}</ref> | Escobar faced threats from the Colombian police, the U.S. government and his rivals Pepes, and the Cali Cartel. By this reason Escobar attempted to get his family (his wife Victoria Henao and his children Juan Pablo along with his girlfriend Doria Andrea Ochoa, and his youngest daughter Manuela)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-160583 |title=El Exodo de los Familiares de Pablo Escobar y Osito |date=29 June 1993 }}</ref> out of the country; twice to the United States without any success, and finally to Europe with a stopover in ], but the German authorities were warned by both the Colombian police and the DEA (with two agents on board the plane), and they were all immediately deported to Colombia.<ref name="auto11">{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-268024 |title=Los Escobar a Alemania |date=28 November 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1993/11/29/internacional/754527616_850215.html |title=Alemania impide a la familia de Pablo Escobar la entrada en el país |newspaper=El País |date=29 November 1993 |last1=García |first1=Maria Isabel }}</ref><ref name="auto4">{{cite web |url=https://www.las2orillas.co/el-vuelo-alemania-que-provoco-la-muerte-de-pablo-escobar/ |title=El vuelo a Alemania que provocó la muerte de Pablo Escobar |date=27 January 2019 }}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-269161 |title=Regresó la Familia de Escobar |date=30 November 1993 }}</ref> Upon arrival at El Dorado airport, the Escobar Henao family was taken into the custody of the Colombian authorities and confined to an apartment in the ] Residences in the International Center of Bogotá, under strict police surveillance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/08/03/el-hotel-tequendama-el-lugar-en-bogota-que-marco-la-caida-de-pablo-escobar/ |title=El Hotel Tequendama, el lugar en Bogotá que marcó la caída de Pablo Escobar |date=3 August 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/12/03/la-negociacion-de-la-viuda-de-pablo-escobar-con-el-cartel-de-cali-y-como-su-riqueza-siguio-alimentando-el-narcotrafico/ |title=La negociación de la viuda de Pablo Escobar con el cartel de Cali y cómo su riqueza siguió alimentando el narcotráfico |date=3 December 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-290597 |title=La Familia de Escobar Salió en Enero del País |date=23 February 1995 }}</ref> | ||
Knowing that the Tequendama Residences belonged to the Retirement Fund of the Military Forces, Escobar knew that the phones were tapped. The government took advantage of Escobar's constant concern for his family, which they used as bait to locate him with French and British technology that they had acquired with the help of the DEA; which not only identified the calls but also triangulated his location.<ref>{{ |
Knowing that the Tequendama Residences belonged to the Retirement Fund of the Military Forces, Escobar knew that the phones were tapped. The government took advantage of Escobar's constant concern for his family, which they used as bait to locate him with French and British technology that they had acquired with the help of the DEA; which not only identified the calls but also triangulated his location.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elmundo.es/america/2012/12/13/colombia/1355423726.html|title=Recorriendo los escenarios de Pablo Escobar | Colombia | elmundo.es|website=www.elmundo.es}}</ref> Escobar also knew that he could not spend more than two minutes making a call. When calling Residencias Tequendama he used to fake his voice, pretending to be a reporter, in order to be able to speak to his family.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/pablo-escobar-operacion-que-dio-de-baja-al-capo-en-1993/507752/ |title=Pablo Escobar: Operación que dio de baja al capo en 1993 |date=2 December 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-205796 |title=Escobar, Más Lejos Que Nunca |date=20 September 1992 }}</ref> With no men or money, Escobar, who was already suffering from ], tried to create a guerrilla movement called 'Antioquia Independiente', but instead preferred to make approaches to the ] to become an accountant for the money from extortion and kidnappings, and for the drug trafficking business in which they had begun to venture a few years earlier. None of these initiatives came to fruition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.verdadabierta.com/la-historia/la-historia-de-las-auc/3862-pablo-escobar-autodefensas-ramon-isaza-magdalena-medio-colombia |title=La otra guerra de Pablo Escobar |date=20 February 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.las2orillas.co/ser-el-contador-de-la-guerrilla-el-ultimo-sueno-de-escobar/ |title=Ser el contador de la guerrilla: El último sueño de Escobar |date=21 January 2021 }}</ref> | ||
On December 1, 1993, Escobar celebrated his last birthday accompanied by his cousin Luzmila Gaviria,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.las2orillas.co/el-ultimo-cumpleanos-de-pablo-eascobar/ |title=El último cumpleaños de Pablo Escobar |date=12 December 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://canal1.com.co/programas/sin-carreta/la-ultima-noche-de-pablo-escobar/ |title=La última noche de Pablo Escobar: La prima del 'capo' reveló detalles |date=4 December 2023 }}</ref> his mother and Álvaro de Jesús Agudelo 'Limón', the latter being his last bodyguard but who had previously been his brother Roberto's driver.<ref |
On December 1, 1993, Escobar celebrated his last birthday accompanied by his cousin Luzmila Gaviria,<ref name="auto8">{{cite web |url=https://www.las2orillas.co/el-ultimo-cumpleanos-de-pablo-eascobar/ |title=El último cumpleaños de Pablo Escobar |date=12 December 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://canal1.com.co/programas/sin-carreta/la-ultima-noche-de-pablo-escobar/ |title=La última noche de Pablo Escobar: La prima del 'capo' reveló detalles |date=4 December 2023 }}</ref> his mother and Álvaro de Jesús Agudelo 'Limón', the latter being his last bodyguard but who had previously been his brother Roberto's driver.<ref name="auto8"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.las2orillas.co/humillado-acorralado-y-deprimido-asi-paso-su-ultimo-cumpleanos-pablo-escobar/ |title=Humillado, acorralado y deprimido: Así pasó su último cumpleaños Pablo Escobar |date=December 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-12-03 |title=El último día de Pablo Escobar |url=http://www.eltiempo.com/gente/ARTICULO-WEB-NEW_NOTA_INTERIOR-12418129.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207134116/http://www.eltiempo.com/gente/ARTICULO-WEB-NEW_NOTA_INTERIOR-12418129.html |archive-date=2013-12-07 |access-date= |website=www.eltiempo.com}}</ref> The next day, on 2 December 1993, desperate, Escobar called his family again. Although in the previous days Escobar had been moving in a taxi accompanied by 'Limón' to avoid being located and calling for less than 2 minutes, Escobar remained inside the house, but that day he managed to avoid being located by speaking for less than two minutes. Following the same routine, Escobar continued calling pretending to be a journalist, but the second call went over two minutes, so he was immediately located. Escobar was found in a house in Los Olivos neighbourhood, a middle-class residential area of Medellín close to ] by Colombian special forces, using technology provided by the United States, which allowed them to trace Escobar's location after he made a long call to his family. Police tried to arrest Escobar but the situation quickly escalated to an exchange of gunfire. Escobar was shot and killed while trying to escape from the roof, along with 'Limón', who was also shot. He was hit by bullets in the torso and feet, and a bullet, which struck him in the head, killing him. This sparked debate about whether he killed himself or whether he was shot and killed.<ref name="about"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-270421 |title=Escobar Murió de Siete Balazos |date=3 December 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/especiales/muerte-de-pablo-escobar-58107 |title=Muere en un techo en Medellín el capo más buscado del mundo |date=5 December 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-270574 |title=Al Fin Cayo! |date=3 December 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-270638 |title=El Limón Pagaba Sobornos del Cartel |date=3 December 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/medellin/articulo/pablo-escobar-gaviria-abatido-hace-30-anos-asi-cayo-contado-en-su-maximo-detalle-aquel-2-de-diciembre-de-1993/202342/ |title=Pablo Escobar Gaviria, abatido hace 30 años: Así cayó, contado en su máximo detalle, aquel 2 de diciembre de 1993 |date=December 2023 }}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} | ||
There are several hypotheses about his death: | There are several hypotheses about his death: | ||
* Escobar committed suicide by shooting himself below the right ear.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.eltiempo.com/gente/segunda-entrega-de-entrevista-juan-pablo-escobar-henao-hijo-de-pablo-escobar/12376594 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206234455/http://m.eltiempo.com/gente/segunda-entrega-de-entrevista-juan-pablo-escobar-henao-hijo-de-pablo-escobar/12376594 |archive-date=6 December 2013 |title=Hijo de Pablo Escobar cree que su padre se suicidó }}</ref> This version coincides with the motto of Los Extraditables: "We prefer a grave in Colombia than a prison in the United States" and is the version defended by his family.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.laopinion.com.co/demo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=433118&Itemid=29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205010137/http://www.laopinion.com.co/demo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=433118&Itemid=29 |archive-date=5 February 2015 |title= |
* Escobar committed suicide by shooting himself below the right ear.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.eltiempo.com/gente/segunda-entrega-de-entrevista-juan-pablo-escobar-henao-hijo-de-pablo-escobar/12376594 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206234455/http://m.eltiempo.com/gente/segunda-entrega-de-entrevista-juan-pablo-escobar-henao-hijo-de-pablo-escobar/12376594 |archive-date=6 December 2013 |title=Hijo de Pablo Escobar cree que su padre se suicidó }}</ref> This version coincides with the motto of Los Extraditables: "We prefer a grave in Colombia than a prison in the United States" and is the version defended by his family.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.laopinion.com.co/demo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=433118&Itemid=29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205010137/http://www.laopinion.com.co/demo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=433118&Itemid=29 |archive-date=5 February 2015 |title='El Patrón' no ha muerto |website=La Opinión }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/12/02/pablo-escobar-y-las-teorias-sobre-su-muerte-se-suicido-o-lo-mataron/ |title=Pablo Escobar y las teorías sobre su muerte: ¿se suicidó o lo mataron? |date=2 December 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.es/historia/abci-autentica-muerte-pablo-escobar-suicido-sanguinario-cocaina-201610190539_noticia.html |title=La auténtica muerte de Pablo Escobar, ¿se suicidó el sanguinario Zar de la cocaína? |date=19 October 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-46204033 |title=Pablo Escobar: Cómo murió hace 30 años y 3 de las teorías sobre quién le disparó |date=2 December 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sánchez Cristo |first=Julio |date=2023-11-27 |title="Pablo Escobar se suicidó, no lo mataron", hijo del excapo del cartel de Medellín |url=https://cambiocolombia.com/personajes/pablo-escobar-se-suicido-no-lo-mataron-hijo-del-excapo-del-cartel-de-medellin |website=cambiocolombia.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.clarin.com/mundo/pablo-escobar-gaviria-capo-narco-murio-asesinado-suicido-_0_lgdC9m9K.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqE98m9JAjWO9OSkdi8dUzIldlbhXoZi5yUoEVnLE5-A_nm50SN |title=Pablo Escobar Gaviria: ¿El capo narco murió asesinado o se suicidó? |date=2 December 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.xlsemanal.com/actualidad/20180403/muerte-pablo-escobar-suicidio-o-ejecucion-narcos.html |title=La muerte de Pablo Escobar: ¿suicidio o ejecución? |date=3 April 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com/deportes/pablo-escobar-muri%C3%B3-27-a%C3%B1os-113145827.html |title=Pablo Escobar: Cómo murió hace 28 años y 3 de las teorías sobre quién le disparó |date=2 December 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/justicia/delitos/pablo-escobar-datos-curiosos-sobre-su-muerte-636357 |title=Pablo Escobar: Su último día y otros datos alrededor de su muerte |date=2 December 2021 }}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=November 2024}} | ||
*A sniper from the group Los Pepes shot him.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elcolombiano.com/BancoConocimiento/L/los_pepes_clave_en_muerte_de_escobar/los_pepes_clave_en_muerte_de_escobar.asp |title=Los Pepes, clave en muerte de Escobar |date=31 December 1899 }}</ref> | *A sniper from the group Los Pepes shot him.<ref name="auto7">{{cite web |url=http://www.elcolombiano.com/BancoConocimiento/L/los_pepes_clave_en_muerte_de_escobar/los_pepes_clave_en_muerte_de_escobar.asp |title=Los Pepes, clave en muerte de Escobar |date=31 December 1899 }}</ref> | ||
* A ] officer who was part of the Search Block shot him.<ref |
* A ] officer who was part of the Search Block shot him.<ref name="auto7"/> | ||
* A ] (DF) sniper shot him.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.las2orillas.co/suicidio-los-pepes-o-bloque-de-busqueda-quien-mato-a-pablo-escobar/ |title=¿Quién mató a Pablo Escobar? Suicidio, los Pepes o el Bloque de Búsqueda |date=4 December 2023 }}</ref> | * A ] (DF) sniper shot him.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.las2orillas.co/suicidio-los-pepes-o-bloque-de-busqueda-quien-mato-a-pablo-escobar/ |title=¿Quién mató a Pablo Escobar? Suicidio, los Pepes o el Bloque de Búsqueda |date=4 December 2023 }}</ref> | ||
* The coup de grace was fired by Colonel ], who led the assault group that arrived at the house.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/01/25/hugo-aguilar-el-coronel-que-dio-de-baja-a-pablo-escobar-pero-termino-trabajando-con-los-paramilitares/ |title=Hugo Aguilar, el coronel que dio de baja a Pablo Escobar, pero terminó trabajando con los paramilitares |date=25 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://verdadabierta.com/hugo-aguilar-el-heroe-que-termino-salpicado-por-los-paras/ |title=Hugo Aguilar: El 'héroe' que terminó salpicado por los 'paras' |date=5 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lasillavacia.com/quien-es-quien/hugo-heliodoro-aguilar-naranjo/ |title=Hugo Heliodoro Aguilar Naranjo |date=12 February 2021 }}</ref><ref>https://www.elespectador.com/judicial/hugo-aguilar-acepto-en-la-jep-haber-recibido-apoyo-de-las-auc-para-ser-gobernador/ |
* The coup de grace was fired by Colonel ], who led the assault group that arrived at the house.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/01/25/hugo-aguilar-el-coronel-que-dio-de-baja-a-pablo-escobar-pero-termino-trabajando-con-los-paramilitares/ |title=Hugo Aguilar, el coronel que dio de baja a Pablo Escobar, pero terminó trabajando con los paramilitares |date=25 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://verdadabierta.com/hugo-aguilar-el-heroe-que-termino-salpicado-por-los-paras/ |title=Hugo Aguilar: El 'héroe' que terminó salpicado por los 'paras' |date=5 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lasillavacia.com/quien-es-quien/hugo-heliodoro-aguilar-naranjo/ |title=Hugo Heliodoro Aguilar Naranjo |date=12 February 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-01-23 |title=Hugo Aguilar aceptó en la JEP haber recibido apoyo de las AUC para ser gobernador |url=https://www.elespectador.com/judicial/hugo-aguilar-acepto-en-la-jep-haber-recibido-apoyo-de-las-auc-para-ser-gobernador/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=elespectador.com |language=es}}</ref> | ||
* He was shot by Carlos Castaño Gil, the top leader of the ] (AUC), according to a confession by a paramilitary named José Antonio Hernández, known by the alias John.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/ |
* He was shot by Carlos Castaño Gil, the top leader of the ] (AUC), according to a confession by a paramilitary named José Antonio Hernández, known by the alias John.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-06-18 |title="A Pablo Escobar lo mató Carlos Castaño" |url=http://www.elespectador.com/impreso/judicial/articulo-278213-pablo-escobar-mato-carlos-castano |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110621025823/http://www.elespectador.com/impreso/judicial/articulo-278213-pablo-escobar-mato-carlos-castano |archive-date=2011-06-21 |access-date= |website=elespectador.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/CMS-4649652 |title=Carlos Castaño fue quien mató a Pablo Escobar, no la Policía, dice ex paramilitar |date=6 November 2008 }}</ref> | ||
* He was shot dead by a squad of the Search Bloc, which is the official version of events.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espanol.rfi.fr/americas/20131202-veinte-anos-de-la-muerte-de-pablo-escobar |title=Enfoque Internacional |
* He was shot dead by a squad of the Search Bloc, which is the official version of events.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espanol.rfi.fr/americas/20131202-veinte-anos-de-la-muerte-de-pablo-escobar |title=Enfoque Internacional – A veinte años de la muerte de Pablo Escobar |date=2 December 2013 }}</ref> | ||
==Aftermath of his death== | ==Aftermath of his death== | ||
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Among Escobar's biographers, only Vallejo has given a detailed explanation of his role in the 1985 ]. She stated that Escobar had financed the operation, which was committed by ]; she blamed the army for the killings of more than 100 people, including 11 Supreme Court magistrates, M-19 members, and employees of the cafeteria. Her statements prompted the reopening of the case in 2008; Vallejo was asked to testify, and many of the events she had described in her book and testimonial were confirmed by Colombia's Commission of Truth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.caracol.com.co/oir.aspx?id=659517 |title=Virginia Vallejo testificó en el caso Palacio de Justicia |date=27 August 2008 |publisher=Caracol Radio |access-date=3 May 2011 |archive-date=14 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214094901/http://www.caracol.com.co/oir.aspx?id=659517}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://nsarchive.wordpress.com/2009/12/17/truth-commission-blames-state-for-palace-of-justice-tragedy/ |title=Truth Commission Blames Colombian State for Palace of Justice Tragedy |date=17 December 2009 |publisher=Unredacted |author=Michael Evans |access-date=3 May 2011 |archive-date=5 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505103942/http://nsarchive.wordpress.com/2009/12/17/truth-commission-blames-state-for-palace-of-justice-tragedy/ |url-status=live}}</ref> These events led to further investigation into the siege that resulted with the conviction of a high-ranking former colonel and a former general, later sentenced to 30 and 35 years in prison, respectively, for the ] of the detained after the siege.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10280727 |title=Colombia ex-officer jailed after historic conviction |date=10 June 2010 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411004957/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10280727 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-13245859 |date=29 April 2011 |title=Colombian 1985 Supreme Court raid commander sentenced |work=BBC News |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410094006/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-13245859 |url-status=live}}</ref> Vallejo would subsequently testify in Galán's assassination.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=12393&ArticleId=337887 |title=Galan Slaying a State Crime, Colombian Prosecutors Say |newspaper=Latin American Herald Tribune |access-date=17 November 2009 |archive-date=9 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809184215/http://www.laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=12393&ArticleId=337887}}</ref> In her book, ''Amando a Pablo, odiando a Escobar'' ('']''), she had accused several politicians, including Colombian presidents ], ], and ] of having links to drug cartels.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/03/world/americas/03colombia.html?ex=1349150400&en=5b0977a0af0df0c6&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |title=Colombian Leader Disputes Claim of Tie to Cocaine Kingpin |last=Romero |first=Simon |date=3 October 2007 |newspaper=The New York Times |page=1 |access-date=18 February 2017 |archive-date=9 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809183805/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/03/world/americas/03colombia.html?ex=1349150400&en=5b0977a0af0df0c6&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |url-status=live}}</ref> | Among Escobar's biographers, only Vallejo has given a detailed explanation of his role in the 1985 ]. She stated that Escobar had financed the operation, which was committed by ]; she blamed the army for the killings of more than 100 people, including 11 Supreme Court magistrates, M-19 members, and employees of the cafeteria. Her statements prompted the reopening of the case in 2008; Vallejo was asked to testify, and many of the events she had described in her book and testimonial were confirmed by Colombia's Commission of Truth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.caracol.com.co/oir.aspx?id=659517 |title=Virginia Vallejo testificó en el caso Palacio de Justicia |date=27 August 2008 |publisher=Caracol Radio |access-date=3 May 2011 |archive-date=14 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214094901/http://www.caracol.com.co/oir.aspx?id=659517}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://nsarchive.wordpress.com/2009/12/17/truth-commission-blames-state-for-palace-of-justice-tragedy/ |title=Truth Commission Blames Colombian State for Palace of Justice Tragedy |date=17 December 2009 |publisher=Unredacted |author=Michael Evans |access-date=3 May 2011 |archive-date=5 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505103942/http://nsarchive.wordpress.com/2009/12/17/truth-commission-blames-state-for-palace-of-justice-tragedy/ |url-status=live}}</ref> These events led to further investigation into the siege that resulted with the conviction of a high-ranking former colonel and a former general, later sentenced to 30 and 35 years in prison, respectively, for the ] of the detained after the siege.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10280727 |title=Colombia ex-officer jailed after historic conviction |date=10 June 2010 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411004957/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10280727 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-13245859 |date=29 April 2011 |title=Colombian 1985 Supreme Court raid commander sentenced |work=BBC News |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410094006/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-13245859 |url-status=live}}</ref> Vallejo would subsequently testify in Galán's assassination.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=12393&ArticleId=337887 |title=Galan Slaying a State Crime, Colombian Prosecutors Say |newspaper=Latin American Herald Tribune |access-date=17 November 2009 |archive-date=9 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809184215/http://www.laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=12393&ArticleId=337887}}</ref> In her book, ''Amando a Pablo, odiando a Escobar'' ('']''), she had accused several politicians, including Colombian presidents ], ], and ] of having links to drug cartels.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/03/world/americas/03colombia.html?ex=1349150400&en=5b0977a0af0df0c6&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |title=Colombian Leader Disputes Claim of Tie to Cocaine Kingpin |last=Romero |first=Simon |date=3 October 2007 |newspaper=The New York Times |page=1 |access-date=18 February 2017 |archive-date=9 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809183805/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/03/world/americas/03colombia.html?ex=1349150400&en=5b0977a0af0df0c6&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
The surviving members of the extinct guerrilla group have reiterated their statements that Escobar never financed the assault taking into account the war they waged with his former armed wing MAS, and that the assault only had political purposes in the midst of his 'Campaign for Colombia'.<ref>{{ |
The surviving members of the extinct guerrilla group have reiterated their statements that Escobar never financed the assault taking into account the war they waged with his former armed wing MAS, and that the assault only had political purposes in the midst of his 'Campaign for Colombia'.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oigahermanohermana.org/article-documentos-de-la-historia-del-m-19-de-pie-colombia-125406680.html|title=Documentos de la historia del M-19: De Pie Colombia|first=Oiga Hermano|last=hermana|website=El blog de Oiga Hermano, hermana}}</ref> The existence of original and copied files on the crimes of the Medellin Cartel in the Foreign Ministry, US and Colombian courts, and in the American embassy in Bogota refutes any theory of Escobar's involvement.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bluradio.com/nacion/las-cinco-incognitas-que-permanecen-luego-de-35-anos-de-la-toma-del-palacio-de-justicia |title=Las cinco incógnitas que permanecen luego de 35 años de la toma del Palacio de Justicia |date=6 November 2020 }}</ref> | ||
=== Relatives === | === Relatives === | ||
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] (born as Juan Pablo Escobar) is an outspoken critic of the violent deeds of his father.]] | ] (born as Juan Pablo Escobar) is an outspoken critic of the violent deeds of his father.]] | ||
On February 1993, n the midst of the war between Escobar and his men against the Pepes, Escobar tried to get his family to the United States. The first time was unsuccessful because the immigration authorities required Victoria Eugenia to provide a permit signed by Escobar before a notary in which he allowed his children to leave the country, a document that was in order with others, but the authorities did everything to make Escobar's family miss the flight.<ref |
On February 1993, n the midst of the war between Escobar and his men against the Pepes, Escobar tried to get his family to the United States. The first time was unsuccessful because the immigration authorities required Victoria Eugenia to provide a permit signed by Escobar before a notary in which he allowed his children to leave the country, a document that was in order with others, but the authorities did everything to make Escobar's family miss the flight.<ref name="auto3"/> The second time, in October 1993 even though the Escobar Henao family had all the documents in order, the visas of all its members, especially Victoria Eugenia Henao, were cancelled.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-180168 |title=Ee.uu. Canceló Visas a Parientes de Escobar |date=27 July 1993 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1993/02/20/internacional/730162815_850215.html |title=La policía de Colombia impide salir del país a dos hijos del 'narco' Escobar |newspaper=El País |date=20 February 1993 |last1=García |first1=Maria Isabel }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-960212 |title=Larga Indagatoria a los Familiares de Pablo Escobar |date=19 November 1999 }}</ref> The third attempt was towards Europe. Although Germany was going to be a country where they would make a shortage, both the DEA and the Colombian authorities alerted the German authorities who immediately deported the Escobar Henao family from ] ] to Colombia.<ref name="auto11"/><ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto4"/> After escaping first to ], then to ], the family settled in ].<ref>{{cite news |work=XPat Nation |url=http://xpatnation.com/a-look-at-pablo-escobars-family-21-years-after-his-death/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120213954/http://xpatnation.com/a-look-at-pablo-escobars-family-21-years-after-his-death |archive-date=20 January 2016 |title=A Cursed Family: A Look at Pablo Escobar's Family 21 Years After His Death |author=King, Julie |date=15 June 2015}}</ref> Living under her assumed name, Henao became a successful real estate entrepreneur until one of her business associates discovered her true identity, and Henao absconded with her earnings. Local media were alerted, and after being exposed as Escobar's widow, Henao was imprisoned for eighteen months while her finances were investigated. Ultimately, authorities were unable to link her funds to illegal activity, and she was released.{{sfn|Escobar|2014|pp=521–537}} According to her son, Henao fell in love with Escobar "because of his naughty smile the way he looked at . was affectionate and sweet. A great lover. I fell in love with his desire to help people and his compassion for their hardship. We drive to places where he dreamed of building schools for the poor. From beginning, he was always a gentleman."{{sfn|Escobar|2014|p=68}} María Victoria Henao de Escobar, with her new identity as María Isabel Santos Caballero, continues to live in ] with her son and daughter.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 April 2018 |title=Se conoce foto de la hija de Pablo Escobar en Buenos Aires |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/mundo/latinoamerica/foto-manuela-escobar-de-la-hija-de-pablo-escobar-209500 |work=El Tiempo |access-date=19 September 2018 |archive-date=21 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921074227/https://www.eltiempo.com/mundo/latinoamerica/foto-manuela-escobar-de-la-hija-de-pablo-escobar-209500 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 5 June 2018, the Argentine federal judge Nestor Barral accused her and her son, ], of money laundering with two Colombian drug traffickers.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 November 2017 |title=Pablo Escobar's widow and son in Argentina money laundering probe |url=https://www.dw.com/en/pablo-escobars-widow-and-son-in-argentina-money-laundering-probe/a-41191181 |work=Deutsche Welle |access-date=19 September 2018 |archive-date=21 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921114546/https://www.dw.com/en/pablo-escobars-widow-and-son-in-argentina-money-laundering-probe/a-41191181 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JfM_kx5S7M |title=Pablo Escobar's widow and son held on money laundering charges in Argentina |date=5 June 2018 |via=YouTube |access-date=21 September 2018 |archive-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526132641/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JfM_kx5S7M&gl=US&hl=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lam |first=Katherine |date=6 June 2018 |title=Pablo Escobar's widow, son charged with money laundering in Argentina |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/pablo-escobars-widow-son-charged-with-money-laundering-in-argentina |work=Fox News |access-date=20 September 2018 |archive-date=21 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921074338/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/06/06/pablo-escobar-s-widow-son-charged-with-money-laundering-in-argentina.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The judge ordered the seizing of assets for about $1m each.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 June 2018 |title=Pablo Escobar's widow and son held on money laundering charges in Argentina |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/05/pablo-escobar-widow-son-money-laundering-victoria-henao-argentina |work=The Guardian |access-date=19 September 2018 |archive-date=21 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921074443/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/05/pablo-escobar-widow-son-money-laundering-victoria-henao-argentina |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
Argentinian filmmaker Nicolas Entel's documentary '']'' (2009) chronicles Marroquín's efforts to seek forgiveness, on behalf of his father, from the sons of Rodrigo Lara, Colombia's justice minister who was assassinated in 1984, as well as from the sons of Luis Carlos Galán, the presidential candidate who was assassinated in 1989. The film was shown at the 2010 ] and premiered in the U.S. on ] in October 2010.<ref name="CNNDecember2009">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/12/11/colombia.escobar.son/index.html |title=Drug lord's son seeks forgiveness |date=12 December 2009 |publisher=CNN |access-date=13 February 2010 |archive-date=6 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406083517/http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/12/11/colombia.escobar.son/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, Marroquín published ''Pablo Escobar, My Father'' under his birth name. The book provides a firsthand insight into details of his father's life and describes the fundamentally disintegrating effect of his death upon the family. Marroquín aimed to publish the book in hopes to resolve any inaccuracies regarding his father's excursions during the 1990s.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shepherd |first1=Jack |title=Narcos season 2: Pablo Escobar's son labels Netflix show 'insulting', lists 28 historical errors |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/narcos-season-2-pablo-escobar-s-son-labels-netflix-show-insulting-lists-28-historical-mistakes-a7236836.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/narcos-season-2-pablo-escobar-s-son-labels-netflix-show-insulting-lists-28-historical-mistakes-a7236836.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=Independent |date=12 September 2016}}</ref> | Argentinian filmmaker Nicolas Entel's documentary '']'' (2009) chronicles Marroquín's efforts to seek forgiveness, on behalf of his father, from the sons of Rodrigo Lara, Colombia's justice minister who was assassinated in 1984, as well as from the sons of Luis Carlos Galán, the presidential candidate who was assassinated in 1989. The film was shown at the 2010 ] and premiered in the U.S. on ] in October 2010.<ref name="CNNDecember2009">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/12/11/colombia.escobar.son/index.html |title=Drug lord's son seeks forgiveness |date=12 December 2009 |publisher=CNN |access-date=13 February 2010 |archive-date=6 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406083517/http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/12/11/colombia.escobar.son/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, Marroquín published ''Pablo Escobar, My Father'' under his birth name. The book provides a firsthand insight into details of his father's life and describes the fundamentally disintegrating effect of his death upon the family. Marroquín aimed to publish the book in hopes to resolve any inaccuracies regarding his father's excursions during the 1990s.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shepherd |first1=Jack |title=Narcos season 2: Pablo Escobar's son labels Netflix show 'insulting', lists 28 historical errors |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/narcos-season-2-pablo-escobar-s-son-labels-netflix-show-insulting-lists-28-historical-mistakes-a7236836.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/narcos-season-2-pablo-escobar-s-son-labels-netflix-show-insulting-lists-28-historical-mistakes-a7236836.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=Independent |date=12 September 2016}}</ref> | ||
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* Also Caracol TV produced a TV Series, '']'', which began airing on 28 May 2012, and stars Andrés Parra as Pablo Escobar. It is based on Alonso Salazar's book ''La parábola de Pablo''.<ref name="zap">{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/07/10/telemundo-medias-pablo-escobar-el-patron-del-mal-averages-nearly-2-2-million-total-viewers/141131/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719022027/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/07/10/telemundo-medias-pablo-escobar-el-patron-del-mal-averages-nearly-2-2-million-total-viewers/141131/ |archive-date=19 July 2012 |title=Telemundo Media's 'Pablo Escobar, El Patron del Mal' Averages Nearly 2.2 Million Total Viewersby zap2it.com |date=10 July 2012 |work=TV by the Numbers |publisher=Zap2It |access-date=4 September 2016}}</ref> Parra reprises his role in TV series ''Football Dreams, A World of Passion'' and in the first season of '']''. Parra has declared not to play the character again so as not to ] himself. | * Also Caracol TV produced a TV Series, '']'', which began airing on 28 May 2012, and stars Andrés Parra as Pablo Escobar. It is based on Alonso Salazar's book ''La parábola de Pablo''.<ref name="zap">{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/07/10/telemundo-medias-pablo-escobar-el-patron-del-mal-averages-nearly-2-2-million-total-viewers/141131/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719022027/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/07/10/telemundo-medias-pablo-escobar-el-patron-del-mal-averages-nearly-2-2-million-total-viewers/141131/ |archive-date=19 July 2012 |title=Telemundo Media's 'Pablo Escobar, El Patron del Mal' Averages Nearly 2.2 Million Total Viewersby zap2it.com |date=10 July 2012 |work=TV by the Numbers |publisher=Zap2It |access-date=4 September 2016}}</ref> Parra reprises his role in TV series ''Football Dreams, A World of Passion'' and in the first season of '']''. Parra has declared not to play the character again so as not to ] himself. | ||
* ] produced a TV Series for ], '']'', was released on 4 March 2013, which Escobar is portrayed by the Colombian actor Juan Pablo Franco (who portrayed general Muriel Peraza in ''Pablo Escobar: El Patrón del Mal'') in the first phase of the series. Franco reprises his role in '']''. | * ] produced a TV Series for ], '']'', was released on 4 March 2013, which Escobar is portrayed by the Colombian actor Juan Pablo Franco (who portrayed general Muriel Peraza in ''Pablo Escobar: El Patrón del Mal'') in the first phase of the series. Franco reprises his role in '']''. | ||
* Also in 2013, ] produced for RCN Televisión a TV Series, ''Alias El Mexicano'', released on 5 November 2013, |
* Also in 2013, ] produced for RCN Televisión a TV Series, '']'', released on 5 November 2013, where Escobar was portrayed by an unknown actor in a minor role. | ||
* A ] original television series depicting the story of Escobar, titled '']'', was released on 28 August 2015, starring Brazilian actor ] as Pablo.<ref name="narcos1">{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/new-on-netflix-august-2015-from-narcos-and-spellbound-to-kick-ass-2-and-dinotrux-10421117.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/new-on-netflix-august-2015-from-narcos-and-spellbound-to-kick-ass-2-and-dinotrux-10421117.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=New on Netflix August 2015: From Narcos and Spellbound to Kick Ass 2 and Dinotrux |last=Shepherd |first=Jack |date=28 July 2015 |work=] |access-date=4 September 2016}}</ref> Season two premiered on the streaming service on 2 September 2016.<ref name="narcos2">{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/narcos-season-2-binge-watching-episode-guide-925064 |title='Narcos' Season 2: Episode-by-Episode Binge-Watching Guide |last=Strause |first=Jackie |date=2 September 2016 |work=] |access-date=4 September 2016 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018200930/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/narcos-season-2-binge-watching-episode-guide-925064/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | * A ] original television series depicting the story of Escobar, titled '']'', was released on 28 August 2015, starring Brazilian actor ] as Pablo.<ref name="narcos1">{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/new-on-netflix-august-2015-from-narcos-and-spellbound-to-kick-ass-2-and-dinotrux-10421117.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/new-on-netflix-august-2015-from-narcos-and-spellbound-to-kick-ass-2-and-dinotrux-10421117.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=New on Netflix August 2015: From Narcos and Spellbound to Kick Ass 2 and Dinotrux |last=Shepherd |first=Jack |date=28 July 2015 |work=] |access-date=4 September 2016}}</ref> Season two premiered on the streaming service on 2 September 2016.<ref name="narcos2">{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/narcos-season-2-binge-watching-episode-guide-925064 |title='Narcos' Season 2: Episode-by-Episode Binge-Watching Guide |last=Strause |first=Jackie |date=2 September 2016 |work=] |access-date=4 September 2016 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018200930/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/narcos-season-2-binge-watching-episode-guide-925064/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
* In 2016, ] and ] produced for RCN Televisión the TV Series '']'', was released on 16 August 2016, which Escobar is portrayed by ] (who portrayed Javier Ortiz in ''Pablo Escobar: El Patrón del Mal'') as the character of Flavio Escolar. | * In 2016, ] and ] produced for RCN Televisión the TV Series '']'', was released on 16 August 2016, which Escobar is portrayed by ] (who portrayed Javier Ortiz in ''Pablo Escobar: El Patrón del Mal'') as the character of Flavio Escolar. | ||
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* The 2013 song "Pablo" by American rapper ] serves as an ode to the legacy of Pablo Escobar.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hiphop-n-more.com/2013/10/e-40-the-block-brochure-parts-4-5-6-album-covers-track-lists/ |title=E-40 – 'The Block Brochure Parts 4, 5 & 6' (Album Covers & Track Lists) |date=29 October 2013 |website=hiphop-n-more.com |access-date=10 June 2021 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018200936/https://hiphop-n-more.com/2013/10/e-40-the-block-brochure-parts-4-5-6-album-covers-track-lists/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | * The 2013 song "Pablo" by American rapper ] serves as an ode to the legacy of Pablo Escobar.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hiphop-n-more.com/2013/10/e-40-the-block-brochure-parts-4-5-6-album-covers-track-lists/ |title=E-40 – 'The Block Brochure Parts 4, 5 & 6' (Album Covers & Track Lists) |date=29 October 2013 |website=hiphop-n-more.com |access-date=10 June 2021 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018200936/https://hiphop-n-more.com/2013/10/e-40-the-block-brochure-parts-4-5-6-album-covers-track-lists/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
* The 2016 album '']'' by American rapper ] was named after the three Pablos who inspired and represented some part of the album, with one of them being Pablo Escobar.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/kanye-west-once-explained-the-identity-of-pablo-from-the-life-of-pablo.html/ |title=Kanye West Once Explained the Identity of Pablo From 'The Life of Pablo' |first1=Matthew |last1=Trzcinski |date=5 May 2020 |website=cheatsheet.com |access-date=15 May 2021 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018201007/https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/kanye-west-once-explained-the-identity-of-pablo-from-the-life-of-pablo.html/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | * The 2016 album '']'' by American rapper ] was named after the three Pablos who inspired and represented some part of the album, with one of them being Pablo Escobar.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/kanye-west-once-explained-the-identity-of-pablo-from-the-life-of-pablo.html/ |title=Kanye West Once Explained the Identity of Pablo From 'The Life of Pablo' |first1=Matthew |last1=Trzcinski |date=5 May 2020 |website=cheatsheet.com |access-date=15 May 2021 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018201007/https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/kanye-west-once-explained-the-identity-of-pablo-from-the-life-of-pablo.html/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
* Dubdogz's "Pablo Escobar" (feat. Charlott Boss), released in 2020, has garnered more than 5.6 million views for its official music video.<ref>{{Citation |title=Dubdogz |
* Dubdogz's "Pablo Escobar" (feat. Charlott Boss), released in 2020, has garnered more than 5.6 million views for its official music video.<ref>{{Citation |title=Dubdogz – Pablo Escobar (feat. Charlott Boss) |date=10 July 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXPJUKmiA30 |language=en |access-date=2022-09-03}}</ref> | ||
* The 2018 hit single ] by the Atlanta-based rap group ] from their album ] makes references to Pablo Escobar as well as the Medellin Cartel, and the ] series Narcos.<ref>{{cite web |title=Migos |
* The 2018 hit single ] by the Atlanta-based rap group ] from their album ] makes references to Pablo Escobar as well as the Medellin Cartel, and the ] series Narcos.<ref>{{cite web |title=Migos – Narcos |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unh8kWUuNt4 |website=Youtube |date=27 June 2018 |access-date=27 June 2018 |archive-date=18 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418235651/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unh8kWUuNt4 |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
== References == | == References == |
Latest revision as of 00:51, 23 December 2024
Colombian drug lord (1949–1993) This article is about the Colombian drug lord. For other uses, see Pablo Escobar (disambiguation).In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Escobar and the second or maternal family name is Gaviria.
Pablo Escobar | |
---|---|
Escobar in a 1976 mugshot | |
Born | Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria (1949-12-01)1 December 1949 Rionegro, Colombia |
Died | 2 December 1993(1993-12-02) (aged 44) Medellín, Colombia |
Cause of death | Gunshot wound to the head |
Resting place | Monte Sacro Cemetery |
Spouse |
Maria Victoria Henao
(m. 1976) |
Children |
|
Parent(s) | Abel de Jesús Escobar Echeverri Hermilda de los Dolores Gaviria Berrío |
Relatives | José Obdulio Gaviria Gustavo Gaviria |
Criminal charge | Drug trafficking, money laundering, murder, terrorism, bribery, smuggling, extortion, political corruption. |
Other names |
|
Organization | Medellín cartel |
Conviction(s) | Illegal drug trade, assassinations, bombing, bribery, racketeering, murder |
Criminal penalty | Five years' imprisonment |
Signature | |
Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria (/ˈɛskəbɑːr/; Spanish: [ˈpaβlo eskoˈβaɾ]; 1 December 1949 – 2 December 1993) was a Colombian drug lord, narcoterrorist, and politician who was the founder and sole leader of the Medellín Cartel. Dubbed "the king of cocaine", Escobar is considered the wealthiest criminal in history, having amassed an estimated net worth of US$30 billion by the time of his death—equivalent to $70 billion as of 2022—while his drug cartel monopolized the cocaine trade into the United States in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Born in Rionegro into a peasant family and raised in Medellín, Escobar studied briefly at Universidad Autónoma Latinoamericana of Medellín but left without graduating; he instead began engaging in criminal activity, selling illegal cigarettes and fake lottery tickets, as well as participating in motor vehicle theft. In the early 1970s, he began to work for various smugglers.
In 1976, forming alliances with Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha, Carlos Lehder, and Jorge Luis Ochoa and his clan, Escobar founded the Medellín Cartel, which distributed powder cocaine. He also established the first smuggling routes from Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador through Colombia and into the United States. Escobar's infiltration into the U.S. created exponential demand for cocaine, and by the 1980s, it was estimated Escobar led monthly shipments of 70 to 80 tons of cocaine into the country from Colombia, controlling more than 80% of the world's production of the drug and 60% of the illicit market in the United States. As a result, Escobar amassed an immense fortune, which amounted to around eight billion dollars between assets and cash; according to Forbes, for seven consecutive years, he was one of the richest people in the world.
In the 1982 Colombian parliamentary election, to excuse his immeasurable capital, Escobar was elected as an alternate member of the Chamber of Representatives as part of the Liberal Party. Through this, he was responsible for community projects such as the construction of houses and football fields, which gained him popularity among the locals of the towns that he frequented; however, Escobar's political ambitions were thwarted by the Colombian and U.S. governments, constantly battled rival cartels domestically and abroad, leading to massacres and the murders of police officers, judges, locals, and prominent politicians. who routinely pushed for his arrest, with Escobar widely believed to have orchestrated the Avianca Flight 203 and DAS Building bombings in retaliation.
In 1989, after several attempts at negotiation, multiple kidnappings, and selective assassinations of judges and public officials, the Medellín Cartel with Escobar at its helm declared total war against the government. Escobar organized and financed an extensive army of hitmen, who assassinated key figures for the Colombian institutionality, such as the liberal leader Luis Carlos Galán, and perpetrated indiscriminate terrorist acts, such as the use of car bombs in Colombia's main cities. This campaign of narcoterrorism destabilized the country and made Escobar the most wanted criminal in the world at the beginning of the nineties. Escobar was responsible for the murder of 657 police officers between 1989 and 1993, and fierce clashes against the Cali Cartel, the Magdalena Medio Antioquia paramilitary groups, and Los Pepes.
In 1991, after the consummation of the National Constituent Assembly, which gave Colombia a new constitution and the prohibition of the extradition of nationals, Escobar surrendered to authorities and was sentenced to five years' imprisonment on multiple charges; however, he struck a deal of no extradition with Colombian President César Gaviria, along with the ability to be housed in his self-built prison, La Catedral. In 1992, when authorities attempted to move Escobar to a more standard holding facility after confirming that he had continued to commit crimes while imprisoned, Escobar escaped and went into hiding, leading to a nationwide manhunt. As a result, the Medellín Cartel crumbled, and in 1993, Escobar was killed in his hometown by Colombian National Police, a day after his 44th birthday.
Escobar's legacy remains controversial; while many denounce the heinous nature of his crimes, he was seen as a "Robin Hood-like" figure for many in Colombia, as he provided many amenities to the poor. His killing was mourned and his funeral attended by over 25,000 people. Additionally, his private estate, Hacienda Nápoles, has been transformed into a theme park. His life has also served as inspiration for or has been dramatized widely in film, television, and in music.
Early life
Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria was born on 1 December 1949 in the small village of El Tablazo near Rionegro, Antioquia Department. He belonged to the Paisa ethnic subgroup. His family was of Spanish origin, specifically from the Basque Country, and also had Italian roots. He was the second of seven children and grew up in poverty. His father was a small farmer and his mother was a teacher, and his siblings in order of birth were Roberto de Jesus 'El Osito', Gloria Inés, Argemiro, Alba Marina, Luz María and Luis Fernando (the latter born in 1958 and murdered at the age of 19 in 1977).
Escobar's maternal grandfather, Roberto Gaviria Cobaleda, had already preceded him in illegal activities, as he was a renowned whiskey smuggler at a time when it was illegal (early 20th century). Gaviria Cobaleda was also the grandfather of the Colombian lawyer and politician José Obdulio Gaviria.
"Well, my family did not have significant financial resources and we lived through difficulties like those experienced by the majority of Colombian people, so we are not oblivious to these problems, we know them deeply and we understand them."
— Pablo Escobar
However, his ancestors and immediate family members stood out as politicians, businessmen, ranchers and figures of the Antioquian elite, therefore, his widely publicized "popular origins" would not correspond to reality. Among his extensive family members is Isabel Gaviria Duque, First Lady of the Nation, wife of Carlos E. Restrepo, who was President of Colombia between 1910 and 1914. Pablo Escobar's godfather was the renowned Colombian diplomat and intellectual Joaquín Vallejo Arbeláez. His death is kept in the parish of Rionegro, which reads:
In the parish of San Nicolás de Rionegro, on December 4, 1949, Father Juan M. Gómez baptized a child who was born on the first day of the present, whom he named PABLO EMILIO, legitimate son of Abel de Jesús Escobar and Hermilda Gaviria, residents of this parish. Paternal grandparents: Pablo Emilio Escobar and Sara María Echeverri. Maternal grandparents: Roberto Gaviria and Inés Berrío. Godparents: Joaquín Vallejo and Nelly Mejía de Vallejo, who were advised of their spiritual relationship and obligations. I attest. Agustín Gómez. Priest. MARGINAL NOTE OF CONFIRMATION. Confirmed in the Minor Basilica by His Excellency Mr. Alfonso Uribe Jaramillo, on October 21, 1952. Godfather: Gustavo Gaviria. I attest. Juan M. Gómez, Priest. MARGINAL NOTE OF MARRIAGE. He was married in Palmira, Valle, parish of La Stma. Trinidad, on March 29, 1976. Witnesses: Alfonso Hurtado and Dolores de Vallejo. He married Victoria E. Henao. I attest to this. Monsignor Samuel Álvarez Botero.
Childhood and youth
According to his mother, Escobar began to show insight and cunning as early as elementary school; and at the beginning of high school, another of his qualities became evident: his leadership over his classmates. Escobar and his cousin Gustavo Gaviria Rivero did small "businesses" at the Lucrecio Jaramillo Vélez high school, where they both studied. They held raffles, exchanged comics, sold exams and lent money at low interest. In this way, Pablo Escobar began to develop his "ability" for business and commerce.
Escobar left high school in 1966 just before his 17th birthday, before returning two years later with his cousin Gustavo Gaviria. At this time, the hard life on the streets of Medellín had polished them into gangster bullies in the eyes of teachers. The two dropped out of school after more than a year, but Escobar did not give up. Having forged a high school diploma, he was admitted to study at the Faculty of Economics of the Latin American Autonomous University of Medellin, where several of his Gaviria cousins were studying, including José Obdulio, with the goal of becoming a criminal lawyer, a politician, and eventually the president but had to give up because of lack of money. Escobar preferred to dedicate himself to his personal "businesses." An interesting fact, he always felt self-conscious about his short stature (1.65 m) and this made him wear special shoes with heels to make himself look taller.
Criminal career
See also: Illegal drug trade in Colombia, Illegal drug trade in Panama, and Illegal drug trade in the BahamasEarly
Escobar started his criminal career with his gang by with small scams, thefts, and after stealing tombstones, sandblasting their inscriptions, and reselling them. After dropping out of college, Escobar began to join gangs to steal cars. Escobar soon became involved in violent crime, employing criminals to kidnap people who owed him money and demand ransoms, sometimes tearing up ransom notes even when Escobar had received the ransom. It is speculated that businessman Diego Echavarria Misas was kidnapped and eventually killed in the summer of 1971 with the participation of Escobar, who supposedly received a $50,000 ransom from the Echavarria family. Escobar would repeat the same process with drug lord Fabio Restrepo, kidnapping and murdering him in 1975.
After Escobar would later begin to work for Alfredo Gómez López, 'Don Capone', the king of smuggling in Colombia. Escobar soon entered the drug trade by smuggling marijuana to the United States under the patronage of Griselda Blanco. After the end of the marijuana boom, Escobar began working as an intermediary who bought cocaine paste in Colombia, Bolivia and Peru, to later resell it to his partners the Ochoa brothers, traffickers in charge of taking it to the United States.
Medellín Cartel
Escobar had been involved in organized crime for a decade when the cocaine trade began to spread in Colombia in the mid-1970s. Escobar's meteoric rise caught the attention of the Colombian Security Service (DAS), who arrested him in May 1976 on his return from drug trafficking in Ecuador. DAS agents found 39 kg of cocaine in the spare tire of Escobar's car. Escobar managed to change the first judge in the lawsuit and the process expired, apparently by bribed the second judge, so he was released along with other prisoners. Despite this, the case was reopened by Judge Mariela Espinosa, who also dropped the investigation due to threats against her life. The following year, the agents who arrested Escobar were assassinated. Escobar continued to bribe and intimidate Colombian law enforcement agencies in the same fashion. His carrot-and-stick strategy of bribing public officials and political candidates in Colombia, in addition to sending hitmen to murder the ones who rejected his bribes, came to be known as "silver or lead", meaning "money or death". The Medellín Cartel and the Cali Cartel both managed to bribe Colombian politicians, and campaigned for both the Conservative and Liberal parties. Although the difference between the two cartels was that the Medellín Cartel used its "money or death" law through a huge army of hitmen, the Cali Cartel preferred to use bribes by having politicians, journalists, police officers, army officers, judges, etc. on its payroll.
Hence, Escobar and many other Colombian drug lords were pulling strings in every level of the Colombian government because many of the political candidates whom they backed financially were eventually elected. Although the Medellín Cartel was only established in the early 1970s, it expanded after Escobar met several drug lords on a farm in April 1978, and by the end of 1978 they had transported some 19,000 kilograms of cocaine to the United States.
Rise to prominence
Soon, the demand for cocaine greatly increased in the United States, which led to Escobar organizing more smuggling shipments, routes, and distribution networks in South Florida, California, Puerto Rico, and other parts of the country. He and cartel co-founder Carlos Lehder worked together to develop a new trans-shipment point in the Bahamas, an island called Norman's Cay about 350 km (220 mi) southeast of the Florida coast. Escobar and Robert Vesco purchased most of the land on the island, which included a 1-kilometre (3,300 ft) airstrip, a harbor, a hotel, houses, boats, and aircraft, and they built a refrigerated warehouse to store the cocaine. According to his brother, Escobar did not purchase Norman's Cay; it was instead a sole venture of Lehder's. From 1978 to 1982, this was used as a central smuggling route for the Medellín Cartel. With the enormous profits generated by this route, Escobar was soon able to purchase 20 square kilometres (7.7 sq mi) of land in Antioquia for several million dollars, on which he built the Hacienda Nápoles.
The luxury house he created contained a zoo, with more than two hundred species of exotic animals for the region, such as hippos, giraffes, elephants, zebras and ostriches, all introduced into the country as a result of bribes to the government entity INDERENA and the customs authorities; a lake, a sculpture garden; a private bullring; and other amenities for his family and the cartel. Escobar made a show of this by producing a propaganda report about his Hacienda.
Escobar was also among the world's billionaires due to his immense fortune invested in buildings, homes, automobiles and estates. listed as the seventh richest man in the world, according to Forbes, something his son would deny years later.
Escobar's political career
At the height of his power, Escobar was involved in philanthropy in Colombia and paid handsomely for the staff of his cocaine lab. Escobar spent millions developing some of Medellín's poorest neighborhoods. He built housing complexes, parks, football stadiums, hospitals, schools, and churches. His most famous charity work was the 'Medellín without slums' neighbourhood, aimed at people living in slums at the Medellín municipal dump. Shortly before the presidential and regional elections of 1982 began, Escobar realized that he had to create a "cover" to protect his lucrative drug trade. He began to cultivate an image of a respectable man, making contacts with politicians, financiers, lawyers, etc. Considered until then a 'Robin Hood paisa' due to his help to the poor of Medellín, Escobar would enter politics with the help of Jairo Ortega Ramírez as a congressman representing Antioquia through the Liberal Renewal movement, although his godfather in politics was the liberal chieftain from Tolima Department Alberto Santofimio Botero. This triumvirate initially supported the candidacy of Luis Carlos Galán, a dissident of the Liberal Party for his New Liberalism movement. While campaigning politically in Medellín, Galán learned through his assistant Iván Marulanda that people whose fortunes were of dubious origin had joined the Liberal Renovation movement. In Medellín's Berrío Park, Galán, without mentioning Escobar's name, publicly expelled him, rejecting the support of Escobar and others similar to him involved in shady business dealings.
Despite the opposition and warnings of his partners, in 1982, he successfully entered the Colombian Congress. Although only an alternate, he was automatically granted parliamentary immunity and the right to a diplomatic passport under Colombian law. At the same time, Escobar was gradually becoming a public figure, and because of his charitable work, he was known as "Robin Hood Paisa". He alleged once in an interview that his fortune came from a bicycle rental company he founded when he was 16 years old.
After of his election, Escobar was invited in 1982 to the inauguration of Felipe González, the third president of democratic Spain, by the Spanish businessman Enrique Sarasola, who had important business dealings in Medellín.
In Congress, in 1983, the new Minister of Justice, Rodrigo Lara-Bonilla, had become Escobar's opponent, accusing Escobar of criminal activity from the first day of Congress. Lara, who had since denounced the infiltration of illicit money into Colombian politics and soccer teams, accused him not only of being a drug trafficker but also of being the leader of the paramilitary group Death to Kidnappers (MAS), created in 1981 to violently stop the onslaught of the M-19 guerrilla movement that had kidnapped Martha Nieves Ochoa, sister of his associates, and an attempted kidnapping of his partner Carlos Lehder who managed to escape wounded in the leg. Escobar secretly counterattacks alongside Jairo Ortega by showing a copy of a check from drug trafficker Evaristo Porras to Lara's Senate campaign, in addition to challenging the minister to show evidence against him under penalty of being sued for slander and defamation. Guillermo Cano, editor and owner of the newspaper El Espectador, seeing Escobar, sensed that he knew him from somewhere, so accompanied by María Jimena Duzán and another reporter, they went to the disorganized archive of the newspaper and found the headline in which it was reported that Escobar together his cousin Gustavo Gaviria had been arrested for possessing coca paste.
Escobar's arrest in 1976 was investigated by Lara-Bonilla's subordinates, this confirmed in a Brian Ross's September 5, 1983 report, on the U.S. television network NBC. A few months later, Escobar was publicly expelled from Congress and his visa to the United States was cancelled, while Judge Gustavo Zuluaga Serna issued an arrest warrant against Escobar for the murder of the two DAS agents who had captured him in 1976. At the same time, and with Lara's approval, the police, headed by Colonel Jaime Ramírez, together with the DEA discovered and dismantled Tranquilandia, a complex of several cocaine processing laboratories owned by Rodríguez Gacha. Although Escobar fought back, he announced his retirement from politics in January 1984. Three months later, Lara-Bonilla, whose honor had previously been called into question and then vindicated, was murdered.
War against drugs and narcoterrorism
Colombia will hand over criminals requested by the Crime Commission in other countries; so that they are punished in an exemplary manner, in this universal operation against an attack that is also universal.
— President Belisario Betancur
President Belisario Betancur, who had previously opposed the extradition of Colombians, decided to authorize it, triggering a series of police operations to capture members of the Medellín Cartel. The main leaders of the Cartel had to take refuge in Panama and tried, in May 1984, to talk with former President Alfonso López Michelsen, who was acting as an electoral observer in the elections in Panama, at the Hilton Hotel in Panama City in a last attempt to approach the government, denying their authorship of the murder of the minister but offering to surrender on condition of not extraditing them. Their failure was due to the fact that the talks had been leaked to the press. Months later, they returned clandestinely to Colombia.
In November 1984, Los Extraditables detonated a car bomb in front of the US embassy in Bogotá, killing one person. A year after the murder of Lara Bonilla, despite the government's announcements to combat them, the drug traffickers of the Medellín Cartel, now renamed Los Extraditables, remained unpunished, expanding their criminal apparatus across large areas of the country and opening new cocaine trafficking routes through Nicaragua and Cuba. All of this in collusion with some sectors of the public forces, bought off with money and terror. In the fall of 1985, the wanted Escobar requested the Colombian government to allow his conditional surrender without extradition to the United States. The proposal was initially rejected, The Los Extraditable Organization was subsequently accused of participating in an effort to prevent the Colombian Supreme Court from studying the constitutionality of Colombia's extradition treaty with the United States.
The Colombian judiciary had been a target of Escobar throughout the mid-1980s. While bribing and murdering several judges; beginning in June 1985, Los Extraditables ordered the death of Judge Tulio Manuel Castro Gil, in charge of investigating the Lara Bonilla murder. According to reports, Escobar, who was at war with the guerrillas after the MAS episode, approached the M-19 through negotiations with Iván Marino Ospina. According to some reports, it is believed that he was aware of the Palace of Justice siege due to the threats made by Los Extraditables to the magistrates of the courts and because he offered economic support for the operation, which was not accepted by the former M-19 militants, since the operation, according to them, had political objectives. The existence of copies of the files and the extradition requests in the foreign ministry, American courts and the American embassy disproves that the burning of files was the reason for the guerrilla operation. The operation was authorized by Álvaro Fayad and took place between November 6 and 7, 1985, resulting in 94 dead and the disappearance of 11 people during the retaking of the Palace by the Public Force.
The Cartel's campaign of assassinations against its enemies in the Government and those who supported the extradition treaty, made effective in January 1985 with the sending of the first captured to the United States by the newly appointed Minister of Justice Enrique Parejo González, replacing the murdered Lara, and all those who denounced their business and mafia networks. The Extraditables assassinated, in February 1986, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the pilot and witness before the American justice system Barry Seal; in July, the magistrate Hernando Baquero Borda, rapporteur of the Extradition Treaty in 1980, and the journalist of El Espectador Roberto Camacho Prada; and on August 18, already with the new president of Colombia Virgilio Barco Vargas, the captain of the anti-narcotics police Luis Alfredo Macana.
In September 1986, Los Extraditables ordered the murder of Diario Occidente journalist Raúl Echavarría Barrientos. In September 1986, motorized hitmen killed Judge Zuluaga Serna.
In October 1986, anti-narcotics police colonel Jaime Ramírez Gómez was killed after returning to Bogotá from a weekend trip with his family. On December 17, 1986, Guillermo Cano, editor of El Espectador newspaper, was killed. In January 1987, Escobar's hitmen attacked Parejo González, former Minister of Justice in Budapest and at the time Colombian ambassador to Hungary.
In late 1986, Colombia's Supreme Court declared the previous extradition treaty illegal due to being signed by a presidential delegation, not the president. Escobar's victory over the judiciary was short-lived. It is believed that Escobar was the one who betrayed Lehder, causing his capture on February 4, 1987. However, unexpectedly, Lehder was extradited to the United States.Escobar and the rest of the leadership, aware of the danger that extradition represented for their interests and determined to fight it, reinforced their military and economic apparatus and set about collecting considerable resources from all drug traffickers, even from those who were not part of their group, in order to finance the foreseeable escalation of violence.
War between drug cartels
Although both cartels maintained a cordial relationship, the origin of the war between the Medellin and Cali cartels has varied origins. One version suggests disagreement with the violent methods used by Escobar. Added to this, the Cali Cartel opposed a "war quota" against the government by refusing to pay for it. Another version suggests the Cali Cartel's zeal to take control of the drug market in Los Angeles and Miami since it currently monopolized drug trafficking in New York City, according to a DEA analysis. another version suggests that the Cali Cartel informed on Jorge Luis Ochoa, Escobar's partner, while Ochoa was in Buga, Valle del Cauca. This has been denied since Ochoa and Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela had shared a cell in Spain where they were to be extradited to the United States, but both were repatriated to Colombia where they served meager prison sentences. According to Jhon Jairo Velásquez 'Popeye', a hitman for the Medellín Cartel, the dispute between the two sides began due to disputes between employees of Pablo Escobar and Hélmer Herrera:
The war began with a love affair between "Piña" and Jorge Elí "El Negro" Pabón. "El Negro" Pabón was a man very loyal to Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria and Alejo Piña was a man of "Pacho" Herrera, both had been friends in a New York prison, but when El Negro got out of prison, he found out that Piña was living with his former wife, El Negro spoke with the boss and they agreed that Piña had to be killed; As the Medellín Cartel killed Hugo Hernán Valencia, a man who had had a problem with Gilberto Rodríguez, we asked the Rodríguez family to return the favor, to let us kill Piña or for them to take care of him themselves, with their people. We did not know about the economic and military power of "Pacho" Herrera. The Rodríguez family, instead of explaining this to their boss, went directly to tell 'Pacho' Herrera that the Medellín Cartel wanted to kill Piña, and that's when war broke out.
— Jhon Jairo Velásquez 'Popeye'
Hugo Hernán Valencia and Pablo Correa Arroyave were the main money launderers for the Cartel. Both had a feud with the heads of the Cali Cartel and the latter had asked Escobar to do them a favor by killing them. But when the Cali Cartel refused to kill Piña, Escobar allowed Pabón to kill Piña. In retaliation, on January 13, 1988, 'Pacho' Herrera ordered his men to place a car bomb at the Monaco tower in the El Poblado sector of Medellín, where Escobar's family resided. The attack left a large crater and killed three people. Among the wounded was Manuela Escobar, Escobar's daughter, who had hearing damage in one of her ears. None of the residents were killed. In retaliation, hitmen from the Medellin Cartel attacked the businesses and properties of the Cali Cartel. On February 18, 1988, a branch of La Rebaja Pharmacies in Medellin, followed by nearly 40 dynamite attacks against the drugstores, and 10 more against the Colombian Radio Group, both belonging to the Rodríguez Orejuela family. 1988 marked the beginning of espionage and counterespionage offensives. First, Escobar set up an intelligence operation against the Cali Cartel. The Rodríguez Orejuela family, in turn, hired five retired military officers to form an espionage service against Escobar. Escobar discovered them and kidnapped them. The Cali Cartel then made a peace proposal, to which Escobar set two conditions: Compensation of 5 million dollars for the attack on the Monaco building, and the surrender of Pacho Herrera, Escobar's staunch enemy. Gilberto Rodríguez refused to surrender and the five ex-military men were found dead a few days later with a sign that read "Members of the Cali Cartel executed for attempting to attack people from Medellín."
In December 1988, Escobar's hitmen attempt to kidnap Pacho Herrera in Cali, the operation fails and Herrera becomes Escobar's main target.
1989 offensive and failed negotiations
See also: Avianca Flight 203, DAS Building bombing, and Assasination of Luis Carlos GalánMinister of Justice Enrique Low Murtra signed the extradition orders for Escobar and his cartel associates. A few days later, the politician and candidate for mayor of Medellín, Juan Gómez Martínez, was saved from an attempted kidnapping claimed by Los Extraditables, while Jorge Luis Ochoa was released with impunity under the right of habeas corpus a month later.
On January 16, 1988, Escobar's hitmen kidnapped Andrés Pastrana (candidate for mayor of Bogotá and later President of Colombia) and held him hidden for several days on a farm near Rionegro. On January 25, 1988, cartel hitmen kidnapped Carlos Mauro Hoyos (Attorney General of the Nation), as he was heading to the airport in Rionegro (Antioquia). Although the plan was to keep both Hoyos and Pastrana captive in the same place, the money lavishness of Jorge Restrepo, the front man in charge of Pastrana who was held captive (barely a week) caught the attention of the authorities and the police managed to free Pastrana. But in retaliation, alias 'Popeye' shot and killed Carlos Mauro Hoyos (48), who had been kidnapped for 10 hours. In March 1988, several hundred police officers descended on the El Bizcocho estate (owned by Escobar), but he was warned at the last minute by the corrupt Lieutenant Colonel Plinio Correa of Police Intelligence B-2 and managed to escape.
In July 1988, the Secretary General of the Presidency, Germán Montoya, had entered into talks with spokesmen for Los Extraditables. Subsequent statements by the government were interpreted by the drug lords as an invitation to dialogue, so on September 15, they responded with a letter to the Barco administration, and sent Montoya a bill for pardons and a demobilization plan. However, given the intransigence of the United States, reluctant to the possibility of dialogue with the drug lords, the talks were delayed and in the end they were presented as the personal initiative of the intermediary, disassociating the president from them.
In March 1989, hitmen from Los Extraditables killed Héctor Giraldo Gálvez, the Lara case manager replacing Castro Gil, and two months later they blew up the headquarters of the TV production company Mundo Visión. On May 4, 1989, the former governor of Boyacá, Álvaro González Santana, father of Judge Martha Lucía González, was assassinated. After the attempted assassination of the head of the DAS, General Miguel Maza Márquez on May 30, 1989, in Bogotá, using a powerful explosive charge in a letter bomb that killed 7 people. On July 4, 1989, in Medellín, in an attack targeting Colonel Valdemar Franklin Quintero, the governor of Antioquia, Antonio Roldán Betancur, died along with five of his companions. On July 28, 1989, Escobar's hitmen murdered Judge María Helena Díaz – Espinoza's substitute in the Escobar and Gaviria case for possession of coca paste – and her two bodyguards.
On August 16, 1989, Escobar's hitmen killed the judge of the superior court of Cundinamarca, Carlos Ernesto Valencia, and on August 18 in Medellin, Colonel Quintero was shot dead by dozens of bullets. Although the news of the crime that occurred in the morning hours was overshadowed, when at night during a political rally in Soacha, Escobar still held a grudge against Luis Carlos Galán for kicking him out of politics, so Galán was assassinated on 18 August 1989 at Escobar's orders; several dozen gunmen in the service of Rodríguez Gacha infiltrated the demonstration and killed the presidential candidate for the Liberal Party, Luis Carlos Galán, a staunch enemy of drug lords and supporter of allowing the extradition of drug lords to the US, who had the best chance of reaching the presidency of the nation. Also involved in this murder was the politician Alberto Santofimio Botero, who in 2006 was shown to have been the intellectual co-author of the crime.
President Barco declared war on drug trafficking in the same way that Betancur had done five years earlier. With Decree 1830 of August 19, 1989, Barco established extradition by administrative means, without taking into account the ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice; with Decree 1863 he authorized military judges to conduct searches where there were suspicions or indications of persons or objects related to a crime; with Decree 1856 he ordered the confiscation of all movable and immovable property of drug traffickers; and with Decree 1859 he authorized the capture was authorized in conditions of absolute incommunication detention and for a time that exceeded constitutional norms, of persons of whom there were serious indications of having committed crimes against the existence and security of the State. In addition, the creation of the Elite Group of the police with 500 men was arranged, essentially aimed at hunting down terrorist leaders, and it was placed under the command of Colonel Hugo Martínez Poveda. In the following days, the Army and the Police carried out more than 450 raids throughout the country and arrested nearly 13,000 people accused of being linked to drug trafficking.
On August 23, the Extraditables responded to the government in a letter to the public, taking on the challenge of total war. With 3,000 armed hitmen, the association of paramilitarism and the support of a significant portion of the population under its control, in addition to the financial muscle that gave it control of at least 90% of cocaine trafficking abroad, the Medellín Cartel confronted the Colombian state with bombings and selective assassinations. Terrorism multiplied and put the government in check: between September and December 1989, more than 100 devices exploded in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Bucaramanga, Cartagena, Barranquilla and Pereira, against government buildings, banking, commercial and service facilities and economic infrastructure. In those three months, including the hitmen, the narco-terrorists were responsible for 289 terrorist attacks in that period, with a fateful balance of 300 civilians killed and more than 1,500 wounded. On November 1, 1989, Judge Mariela Espinosa was murdered on Escobar's orders.
On November 23, 1989, a lightning operation was launched against the El Oro ranch in Cocorná (Antioquia), where Pablo Escobar and Jorge Luis Ochoa were staying. Escobar and Ochoa managed to escape, but two of his men were killed – one of them his brother-in-law, Fabio Henao – and 55 were arrested. Four days later, on November 27, Escobar then planted a bomb on Avianca Flight 203 in an attempt to assassinate Galán's successor, César Gaviria Trujillo, had not boarded the plane on the advice of his security advisers and survived. All 107 people were killed in the blast. Because two Americans were also killed in the bombing, the U.S. government began to intervene directly. On December 6, 1989, Escobar's hitmen placed a bus bomb in front of the building of the DAS – the Colombian secret police – in an attempt to assassinate its director, General Miguel Alfredo Maza Márquez, who emerged unharmed despite the building being half-destroyed. The bus bomb also destroyed more than 200 commercial establishments around it. 63 civilians were killed and 500 were injured.
Wave of kidnappings and failed negotiations
On December 15, 1989, Barco's government managed to kill the second leader of the Medellín cartel and its military leader, El Mexicano (Rodríguez Gacha). He was located by an informant working for the Cali Cartel on the northern coast of the country, where he was seeking refuge from the authorities' persecution. Responsible for more than 2,000 homicides and claiming responsibility for the attack on the DAS tower, he was killed after a tough chase between the municipalities of Tolú and Coveñas in the Sucre Department, along with his son Freddy Rodríguez Celades, his main lieutenant Gilberto Rendón Hurtado and four hitmen from his security force. Most of the terrorist attacks of the last few months were attributed to 'El Mexicano'.
Although the Medellín Cartel and the government had made a series of approaches to reach negotiations that would lead to the surrender of the drug lords, the intransigence of the US justice system and the recent acts of violence prevented any such option. The Extraditables attempted a new strategy of dialogue and negotiation with the State, wanting to pressure it with the kidnapping of the son of the Secretary of the Presidency, Álvaro Diego Montoya, and two relatives of the President of the Republic, in addition to other personalities. A proposal then arose from former President López Michelsen, supported by former Presidents Julio César Turbay and Misael Pastrana, by Cardinal Mario Rebollo Bravo and by the President of the UP Diego Montaña Cuellar, consisting of the formation of a commission of Notables to negotiate with the narcoterrorists. On January 17, 1990, they responded to the government's proposal, presenting themselves in a statement as legitimate candidates for judicial pardon and expressing a "genuine willingness to negotiate." Immediately afterward, they released the hostages, handed over a bus with a ton of dynamite, and one of the largest drug processing laboratories in Chocó. All process that began after a statement in which Los Extraditables described the declaration of the former presidents and the leader of the UP as a "patriotic invitation," while declaring that they recognized the "victory of the State." In return, the drug traffickers expected the government to create a high-level commission that would be in charge of the legal procedures that would allow their surrender. The government considered names to lead the process and the most likely candidate was Otto Morales Benítez, former government negotiator with the guerrillas. However, the approaches were leaked to the press and the attempt at dialogue and negotiation ended in a new wave of terrorism, and announced that, on the contrary, it would strengthen the extradition process. This did not prevent the complete release of the hostages before the end of January 1990. On January 22, Álvaro Montoya was released near the main entrance of the National University of Colombia, without the sign requiring him to convey any message to the public.
The Extraditables, effectively deceived by the Government and faced with a strong military offensive in Envigado, declared a zone of military operations by the IV Brigade under the command of General Harold Bedoya, the Extraditables ended the truce on March 30, putting a price on the head of each policeman killed. Medellín and its metropolitan area were involved in an urban war, after the first executions of uniformed officers and after the attack against a truck of the Elite Group, which occurred on a bridge in Itagüí on April 11. This attack, which left 20 dead and 100 wounded, was the first of 18 that occurred until the end of July with a balance of 100 fatalities and 450 wounded.
The 1990 presidential elections were marked by constant violence in which not only Galán was killed, but also Bernardo Jaramillo Ossa, of the leftist UP party; and Carlos Pizarro, leader of the dissolved M-19 guerrilla movement. Although the government blamed Escobar for the murders of Jaramillo and Pizarro, they were actually committed by paramilitaries under the command of his allies Fidel and Carlos Castaño Gil. Gradually the cordial relations between the paramilitaries and Los Extraditables would deteriorate because of this.
On May 12, the eve of Mother's Day, bombs exploded in two commercial districts in Bogotá, killing twenty-one people. On the same day in Cali, another terrorist act claimed the lives of nine civilians. At the end of the month, at the same time that a hitman blew himself up in front of the Intercontinental Hotel in Medellín, killing six policemen and three passers-by, Senator Federico Estrada Vélez and his driver were gunned down. The violence intensified and the victims were thousands: in retaliation for the death of 215 policemen killed between April and July 1990, death squads went up to the communes every night and shot dozens of men, several of children and/or adolescents.
Shortly after Escobar's military chief, Pinina (John Jairo Arias Tascón), was assassinated on June 14, another series of military actions followed: nineteen young people from Antioquia's high society were killed in the Oporto Bar Massacre and a car bomb exploded in front of the Libertadores Police Station, killing fourteen civilians. Finally, at the end of July, after a huge operation in Antioquia's Magdalena Medio from which Escobar once again escaped, Los Extraditables declared a new truce and went on the defensive, awaiting the decisions that the incoming Gaviria government might take. In any case, they affirmed the impossibility of surrendering to justice until the State security agencies are restructured and the appropriate legal mechanisms are created to avoid their extradition.
Furthermore, the cartel war did not cease. On June 22, 1989, the Cali Cartel, through its head of security, Jorge Salcedo, hired a group of British mercenaries led by Peter McAleese and sent them to Hacienda Nápoles to attack Escobar, but the operation failed because the helicopter carrying the mercenaries crashed due to overloading.
In November 1989, after the Colombian Professional Football match between Independiente Medellín and América de Cali, referee Álvaro Ortega was murdered on Escobar's orders due to illegal betting with the Cali Cartel according to Popeye and Fernando Rodríguez Mondragón.
On September 25, 1990, taking advantage of the fact that Pacho Herrera was going to attend a private soccer game on one of his farms in a district of Candelaria (Valle del Cauca), several hitmen dressed in uniforms of the National Army entered the place and carried out the Los Cocos Hacienda Massacre. They opened fire, leaving 18 people dead; however, Pacho Herrera was unharmed and escaped. The attack was ordered by Escobar, who would command a new assault against Herrera on July 27, 1991, at a beach resort located on the highway leading from Cali to Jamundí.
New kidnappings and attacks
Apart from an unfinished peace process, President César Gaviria inherited the "war on drugs" with which his predecessor had sought to reduce the Medellín Cartel and its network of hitmen, declared enemies of the State. Although during his presidential campaign he had shown total support for both the offensive and the measures taken by Barco, including the most feared by narco-terrorists; which was extradition by administrative means; once in office he hinted that the high economic and human cost of this war deserved the search for an alternative solution in which the strengthening of justice would be a key element. On August 12, in any case, in a coup, men from the Elite Group of the police killed Gustavo Gaviria Rivero, Escobar's cousin and right-hand man.
Taking advantage of the respite from the unilateral, indefinite truce announced in July by Los Extraditables, Justice Minister Jaime Giraldo Ángel designed the state of siege legislation that would be made public as a "policy of submission to justice." This policy, which materialized in five decrees that would later, after a purge, be elevated to permanent legislation in the new Code of Criminal Procedure, aspired in simplified terms to favor, by reducing the sentence of drug traffickers who voluntarily surrendered and confessed to at least one crime, with the guarantee, in some cases conditional, of being tried in the country and held in high-security prisons. The first to accept the offer, between December 1990 and February 1991, were the Ochoa brothers, Jorge Luis, Juan David and Fabio, close associates of Escobar, who, suspicious of the intentions of the Government, which had already failed to comply with him previously, organized a series of selective kidnappings of renowned journalists and influential figures in national life.
Escobar ordered the kidnapping of relatives of members of the Government and journalists. From the long list of those kidnapped, the most well-known were: Francisco Santos Calderón (editor-in-chief of the newspaper El Tiempo), Maruja Pachón de Villamizar (journalist and general director of FOCINE, wife of the politician and diplomat Alberto Villamizar), Beatriz Villamizar de Guerrero (sister of Alberto Villamizar and personal assistant of FOCINE), Diana Turbay (director of the television news program Criptón and of the magazine Hoy x Hoy, daughter of the former president of the republic Julio César Turbay) with her journalistic team from Criptón, Marina Montoya de Pérez (sister of the former general secretary of the Presidency Germán Montoya) and who was executed by her captors in retaliation for the failure of the rapprochements with the government at the end of 1989, for the death of hitmen and collaborators of the Cartel at the hands of the police, especially for the death of the brothers Armando and Ricardo Prisco Lopera, leaders of Los Priscos, the armed wing of the cartel, Patricia Echeverri and her daughter Diana Echeverri, political relatives of the former president of the republic Barco, thus putting pressure on the outgoing president and the elected Gaviria to be treated as a political criminal, thus becoming a beneficiary of the pardons reserved for the guerrillas. Escobar also intended to force the Executive to make an agreement tailored to his needs and continued to apply pressure again through armed means, threatening to execute the hostages and to restart his terrorist offensive.
On December 13, 1990, a bomb killed 7 police officers in Medellín and another 7 were killed by hitmen in the first 3 days of January and with a new wave of attacks: a dozen police officers were victims of contract killings, an explosion on a bus left 6 dead and on February 16, a heinous bomb attack against a secret police F2 patrol in Medellín in front of the city's bullring resulted in 22 civilian deaths. Two months later, Escobar's hitmen killed the former Minister of Justice Enrique Low Murtra in Bogotá.
Although most of the hostages had been released, not only as a gesture of good faith but also because of the apparent success of negotiations to avoid Escobar's extradition, on January 25, 1991, Diana Turbay fell dead in the arms of her cameraman Richard Becerra in the middle of a shootout during an apparent rescue operation. Turbay's death infuriated Escobar since the journalist was his best card to negotiate his non-extradition to the USA.
Surrender and submission to justice
Turbay's death motivated the families of the other hostages to seek their release on their own. With only Francisco Santos, Beatriz Villamizar and Maruja Pachón remaining kidnapped, Villamizar was released on February 6, 1991, thanks to the efforts of her husband, Congressman Luis Guerrero. At the same time, the Eudist priest Rafael García-Herreros who had been contacted by an emissary of Escobar, under his orders, saying that he was tired of his war and trusted him for an eventual surrender. On his daily TV show 'El Minuto de Dios', García-Herreros had expressed Escobar's apparent interest in surrendering, but at the same time his doubts.
«Oh, sea of Coveñas! Oh, immense sea! Oh, lonely sea, that knows everything! I want to ask you some things, answer me. You who keep the secrets, I would like to build a great rehabilitation institute for hitmen in Medellín. Talk to me, you who keep the secrets, I would like to talk to Pablo Escobar, on the seashore, right here, the two of us sitting on this beach... They have told me that he wants to surrender, They have told me that he wants to talk to me. Oh, sea! Oh, sea of Coveñas at five in the afternoon, when the sun is setting! What should I do? They tell me that he is tired of his life and his struggle, and I cannot tell anyone, my secret. However, it is drowning me inside... Oh, sea! My God; in your hands we place this day that has already passed and the night that is coming.»
— Priest Rafael García-Herreros, April 19, 1991
García-Herreros traveled to Medellín to meet with Fabio Ochoa Restrepo, patriarch of the Ochoa family, and Ochoa took the priest to the Itagüi prison to introduce him to his sons, imprisoned for surrendering to the 'Policy of Submission to Justice'. Through the Ochoa family, García-Herreros sent a letter to Escobar and Escobar responded with another 4-page letter; in this letter he showed his confidence in the priest but demanded several conditions from the Government for surrender. One of them was that the members of the Elite Corps of the police who had killed his cousin Gustavo Gaviria for violating Human Rights be punished, to which President César Gaviria and his advisor for Security, Rafael Pardo, did not respond to the requests. Days after receiving the message, García-Herreros was summoned to Fabio Ochoa's ranch, where he waited for Escobar's call. Escobar reiterated his desire to surrender but on the condition that he would not be held in the Itagüi prison for fear of being killed, and that the hostages would soon be released. Escobar also clarified that he had not ordered the murders of leftist candidates Jaime Pardo Leal, Bernardo Jaramillo and Carlos Pizarro.
However, Pachón and Santos remained kidnapped for a few more months due to Escobar's distrust of the government, and their release was personally facilitated by Enrique Santos, Santos' father, and Alberto Villamizar, Pachón's husband, with government authorization. García-Herreros was also a mediator not only for the release of Pachón, finally achieved on May 21, 1991, but also for that of Santos a day later, on May 22 of that same year.
Eventually, the government negotiated with Escobar and convinced him to surrender and cease all criminal activity in exchange for a reduced sentence and preferential treatment during his captivity. Although Escobar's eventual surrender had been brewing since November 1990, Escobar, in the midst of his negotiations, managed to obtain permission to build his own prison. For that purpose, and with the collaboration of the mayor of Envigado, Jota Mario Rodríguez, the government was offered a three-hectare plot of land, located in the area of 'La Catedral', where the Claret, a rehabilitation center for drug addicts, was being built. The then Vice Minister of Justice, Francisco Albeiro Zapata, visited the construction site and gave his approval. However, what was unknown was that the property had been purchased by Escobar. In May, more than 60 workers worked on more than 1,800 square meters to build the La Catedral prison. The contract had a rather clause: "No police or military authority will have access to the internal part of the prison." The surrender was to take place on May 18, 1991, but two events prevented it: the origin of the designated prison governor, Jorge Pataquiva, from Girardot, and of his guards, all from Cundinamarca. Escobar wanted all his guards to be from Antioquia. And second, the speech given on May 7 by the priest García Herreros in "El minuto de Dios" (God's Minute): a sermon in which he would not speak of Escobar or the surrender and continued to speak of God and the evil of pornography, but Escobar believed that it was a scolding for him, thinking that he had branded him a "pornography reader." The next day García-Herreros met at La Loma, one of Fabio Ochoa's estates. He clarified that it was due to an editing error in the program and apologized to Escobar, who accepted his apologies but asked that they be made public.
The surrender process was resumed. First, 'Popeye' and Luis Carlos Aguilar 'El Mugre' (the filth) surrendered in the second week of June 1991 to be held in La Catedral prison. Later, on June 19, 1991, the day agreed upon for Escobar's surrender, Villamizar, García-Herreros and Luis Alirio Calle, a journalist admired by Escobar and with whom he maintained communication as a third (unofficial) mediator in his surrender, met at the offices of Criminal Investigation in Medellín. The three of them left in helicopters; Villamizar and García-Herreros in one, and Calle in the other with a smuggled recorder so he could record any important conversations, due to Escobar's demand that they not bring cameras or similar equipment to document his surrender. The helicopters arrived at a farm hidden in the middle of a jungle where Escobar boarded the helicopter where the priest and Villamizar were, and the rest of his men in the other helicopter. Both helicopters departed towards La Catedral where, upon arrival, Escobar surrendered his Sig Sauer pistol to Pataquiva and explored the prison shortly before making his surrender official.
Declaring an end to a series of previous violent acts meant to pressure authorities and public opinion, Escobar surrendered to Colombian authorities in 1991. At the same time of his surrender, on the way to prison, the extradition of Colombian citizens to the United States had been prohibited by the newly approved Colombian Constitution of 1991. This act was controversial, as it was suspected that Escobar and other drug lords had influenced members of the Constituent Assembly in passing the law. Escobar greeted his mother and wife, whom he had not seen in months. He had a short interview with Calle and was finally imprisoned that same night.
As a consequence of the policy of peace and strengthening of justice of the President and his cabinet, I have decided to submit to decrees 2047 and 2147, 2372 and 3030 of 1990 and 303 of 1991, supported by the Attorney General of the Nation, by the honorable judges of the Supreme Court of Justice and by the vast majority of the people of Colombia...With my presentation and my submission to justice, I also wish to pay tribute to my parents, to my irreplaceable and incomparable wife, to my pacifist son of 14 years, to my toothless dancer of 7 years and to all my family whom I love so much. In these historic moments of the surrender of weapons by the guerrillas and the pacification of the country, I could not remain indifferent to the yearnings for peace of the vast majority of the people of Colombia. Pablo Escobar Gaviria. Envigado, Colombia, June 19, 1991.
— Escobar's Declaration from La Catedral. June 19, 1991.
La Catedral prison
Main article: La CatedralBetween June 1991 and July 1992, Colombia experienced a period of relative peace, except for the government's war against the guerrillas, but such peace was superficial. It is said that shortly before his surrender, Escobar had met with his remaining associates Gerardo Moncada and Federico 'Kiko' Galeano, the Castaño Gil brothers and other mid- and low-level gangsters. Escobar, at that meeting, reaffirmed himself as the leader of the Medellin Cartel, and proclaimed himself the creator of the drug trafficking business, which is why he demanded that he be paid high sums of money for each shipment of drugs to the United States; going from being a drug lord to being an extortionist. According to 'Popeye', the apparent surrender at La Catedral would be nothing more than a vacation due to the war that Escobar was waging against the government. Escobar was confined in La Catedral with his older brother Roberto and several of his men; Otoniel González 'Otto', Carlos Aguilar 'Mugre' (The filth), John Jairo Velásquez 'Popeye', Valentín Taborda, Gustavo González 'Tavo', Jorge Eduardo Avendaño 'Tato' y Johnny Rivera 'El Palomo' (The pidgeon), José Fernando Ospina 'El Mago' (The Wizard), John Jairo Betancur 'Icopor' (Polystyrene), Carlos Díaz 'La Garra' (The Claw) y Alfonso León Puerta 'El Angelito'. Except for a few who still had influence in Medellín; Mario Castaño 'Chopo', Brances Muñoz 'Tyson' and John Jairo Posada 'Titi'; as well as his partners Moncada and Galeano who were in charge of shipping the cocaine.
The Israeli firms that were supposed to finish building the prison never completed their work because they were paralyzed by Escobar's payroll in Medellín. Meanwhile, double-bottomed trucks entered La Catedral transporting money, weapons and even people. La Catedral gradually went from being a 'maximum security prison' to a 'maximum comfort prison'; La Catedral, which featured a football pitch, a giant dollhouse, a luxurious living room designed by his wife Victoria Eugenia, a bar, a Jacuzzi, and a waterfall. Also a strong security provided by the Colombian Army outside, restricted airspace and the penitentiary authorities designated by the state to guard his confinement, although the majority actually were Escobar's hitmen in prison guard uniforms. Escobar also organised soccer games with Colombian national football team players at La Catedral. He also had orgies with beauty queens and models, which at one point angered his wife.
Escobar's luxuries were discovered by Attorney General Carlos Gustavo Arrieta, who raised his complaints to President Gaviria, who dismissed them as harmless. Accounts of Escobar's continued criminal activities while in prison began to surface in the media, Although there were unconfirmed rumors that Escobar still maintained control over the Medellín Cartel, Henry Pérez, leader of the paramilitaries of Magdalena Medio, was killed in the middle of religious celebrations in Puerto Boyacá. Pérez, who had long been an ally of Escobar and one of those who attempted to kill Galán in 1989, entered into conflict with Escobar, who ordered his assassination, although Escobar would deny any accusation.
Escobar increased the amount of money he demanded from his partners, which gradually began to bother them. On July 4, 1991, 'Tyson' and 'Titi' accidentally find a stash belonging to Gerardo Moncada with 23 million dollars. They both report their discovery to 'Chopo' and he reports it to Escobar. 'Titi' along with 'Chopo' steal the money and take it to La Catedral. Escobar meets Moncada and Galeano believing that they are hiding drug money from him. After a slight argument, both men offer Escobar a good part of the money found. 'Chopo' goads Escobar that both men may have more money hidden, which Moncada and Galeano flatly deny. Escobar believes 'Chopo' more and orders him and 'Popeye' to kill, dismember and incinerate them. Escobar had also invited the Castaño brothers to appear at 'La Catedral', but they did not attend. Escobar had also summoned the Castaño brothers to appear at 'La Catedral', but they did not show up due to an apparent landslide on the road. 'Chopo' left La Catedral in Federico Galeano's car, but when Don Berna, Galeano's head of security, accompanied by Rafael Galeano, demanded to see Federico, a shootout broke out in which Galeano ended up wounded in the arm, but Don Berna and Galeano managed to escape and the Castaño brothers met up. Seeing the reaches to which Escobar had reached, they decided to join forces to create the vigilante group Los Pepes (Persecuted by Pablo Escobar).
While the rest of the relatives of Moncada and Galeano were murdered in Medellín and its surrounding towns, Mireya Galeano joined the Pepes, and was helped by Rodolfo Ospina Baraya 'Chapulín', secret associate of the Medellín Cartel and grandson of the former president Mariano Ospina Pérez, sends a video to the Prosecutor General's Office giving statements about what happened in La Catedral. Furious, general prosecutor Gustavo De Greiff showed the evidence to Gaviria, who, outraged, called a Security Council attended by the ministers of defense and justice, and the commanders of the army and the police, Fernando Britto, head of DAS, Arrieta and Fabio Villegas, secretary general of the presidency; which prompted the government to attempt to move him to a more conventional jail on 22 July 1992. During 21 July, 1991, it was decided that the army would take over the prison in order to take Escobar and his men prisoner and transfer them to a military garrison. It was also decided that those in charge of this task would be Colonel Hernando Navas Rubio, national director of prisons, and Eduardo Mendoza, vice-minister of justice. Both went in the same car to El Dorado airport in Bogotá, unaware of their functions. Upon arriving at the José María Cordova airport in Rionegro, they were informed by Brigadier General Gustavo Pardo Ariza.
Navas, along with the army, would begin the militarization of the prison and coordinate the transfer of Escobar and his men, while Mendoza, as vice-minister, would represent the government in the operation. However, the operation failed; most of the soldiers were resting because they had marched on July 20th to commemorate Independence Day; several trucks with not many soldiers were going directly to the mountain where La Catedral was located, something that Escobar noticed through the peasants in the area on his payroll; in addition to the chain of errors committed that same night. With the permission of Pardo Ariza, Navas and Mendoza arrived at La Catedral. Navas entered disobeying the direct orders of the presidency and informed Escobar of the government's decision to militarize the prison and transfer it to a military base. Escobar demanded that a government representative attend, making Mendoza enter as well. Feeling betrayed by the government for not fulfilling what was agreed in surrender, Escobar called the Nariño Palace. Mendoza spoke first and Escobar, when he came to the phone, asked to speak to the president or, failing that, to the minister of justice, but both refused. Escobar took both officials hostage and made a second call to the Presidential Palace; but the secretary general Fabio Villegas Restrepo answered, announcing to Navas and Mendoza that they were dismissed. Escobar's influence allowed him to discover the plan in advance and make a successful escape; mistakenly thinking that he would be extradited or killed, Escobar and his men flee from La Catedral; they kick a wall made of plaster instead of concrete, and take advantage of the darkness and fog in the area and the blackout of the 'Gaviria Hour', spending the remainder of his life evading the police.In the early hours of July 22, the missing soldiers arrive and invade La Catedral, rescuing Navas and Mendoza and capturing a few of Escobar's hitmen. It is also discovered that the soldiers guarding the prison outside had been bribed by Escobar.
Escape and final stage
Main articles: Los Pepes and Search BlocEscobar's escape represented the biggest mockery of the Gaviria government in the eyes of the public, and Colombian justice would end up being discredited internationally. The government reactivated the Elite Group, renaming it the Search Bloc, a body made up of the National Police and the National Army with the collaboration of the DEA to hunt down the fugitives and dismantle their criminal empire once and for all. The leaders of the Cali Cartel were responsible for unleashing the war again, by activating a car bomb in Medellín that they attributed to their enemies from Antioquia, at the same time that they decided to finance Los Pepes.
While Escobar ordered the murder of police officers, new terrorist attacks with car bombs and some selective assassinations, the Search Bloc was only able to carry out raids and the shooting down of 'Tyson' on October 28, 1992, corrupt police elements allied with Los Pepes in order to finish off Escobar and his thugs, specially Police Colonel Danilo González. Following a chess-like tactic; In order to take pieces from the opponent, both the Pepes and the Search Bloc were dealing blows to Escobar's hitman structure. Although the Colombian government offered a reward of one billion Colombian pesos for the capture of Escobar, the US offered two million dollars. Escobar and his men did not sit still and continued their crime spree. Escobar's hitmen murdered the faceless public order judge Myriam Rocío Vélez; the captain of the judicial police Fernando Posada Hoyos, one of the staunchest enemies of the Medellín Cartel; and they kidnapped and murdered Lizandro Ospina Baraya, brother of 'Chapulín' and also grandson of former president Ospina Pérez in retaliation for testifying against Escobar in court for the murder of Galán. The car bombs continued in the streets of several Colombian cities. By March 29, 1993, most of Escobar's hitmen had been arrested or killed. The final surrender of 'Popeye', 'El Mugre' and 'El Osito', Escobar's older brother, stands out on October 28, 1992. That surrender had been one of Escobar's gestures trying to negotiate another surrender, which was ignored by the government demanding an unconditional surrender.
For their part, Los Pepes dedicated themselves to killing Escobar's front men, accountants, lawyers and family members, as well as destroying their properties and undermining their finances. Although Escobar also responded in kind and publicly revealed their names, this did not prevent both Los Pepes and the Search Bloc from maintaining a superior advantage over Escobar, whose last car bomb attack under their orders was in the Centro 93 Mall in northern Bogotá, on April 15, 1993, ironically, the day on which the deadline imposed by the government on Escobar for his unconditional surrender expired, which was not an option for Escobar while he and/or his family were in danger of dying at the hands of Los Pepes.
On April 17, 1993, Guido Parra Montoya, Escobar's lawyer, and his son Guido Andrés Parra were kidnapped and murdered by the Pepes, and their corpses were abandoned in an unpopulated area of Envigado.
Death
That they will never catch me in the great fucking life, and that from the jungle I will order them all to be killed and in the long run the ones who will lose will be them.
— Audio intercepted of Escobar speaking in a threatening tone.
Although he managed to evade the Search Bloc for another 6 months, by October 1992, Escobar had lost all of his power; his last chief of bodyguards, 'El Angelito', was killed by the police on October 6 along with his brother, Álvaro Puerta. Escobar tried on several occasions to negotiate his surrender in exchange for safeguarding his family, but his proposal found no support in the government. His mother was the victim of several unsuccessful assassination attempts by the Pepes, and his brother Roberto, despite being in prison, was the victim of a letter bomb sent by the Pepes that left him blind in one eye.
Escobar faced threats from the Colombian police, the U.S. government and his rivals Pepes, and the Cali Cartel. By this reason Escobar attempted to get his family (his wife Victoria Henao and his children Juan Pablo along with his girlfriend Doria Andrea Ochoa, and his youngest daughter Manuela) out of the country; twice to the United States without any success, and finally to Europe with a stopover in Germany, but the German authorities were warned by both the Colombian police and the DEA (with two agents on board the plane), and they were all immediately deported to Colombia. Upon arrival at El Dorado airport, the Escobar Henao family was taken into the custody of the Colombian authorities and confined to an apartment in the Hotel Tequendama Residences in the International Center of Bogotá, under strict police surveillance.
Knowing that the Tequendama Residences belonged to the Retirement Fund of the Military Forces, Escobar knew that the phones were tapped. The government took advantage of Escobar's constant concern for his family, which they used as bait to locate him with French and British technology that they had acquired with the help of the DEA; which not only identified the calls but also triangulated his location. Escobar also knew that he could not spend more than two minutes making a call. When calling Residencias Tequendama he used to fake his voice, pretending to be a reporter, in order to be able to speak to his family. With no men or money, Escobar, who was already suffering from gastritis, tried to create a guerrilla movement called 'Antioquia Independiente', but instead preferred to make approaches to the FARC to become an accountant for the money from extortion and kidnappings, and for the drug trafficking business in which they had begun to venture a few years earlier. None of these initiatives came to fruition.
On December 1, 1993, Escobar celebrated his last birthday accompanied by his cousin Luzmila Gaviria, his mother and Álvaro de Jesús Agudelo 'Limón', the latter being his last bodyguard but who had previously been his brother Roberto's driver. The next day, on 2 December 1993, desperate, Escobar called his family again. Although in the previous days Escobar had been moving in a taxi accompanied by 'Limón' to avoid being located and calling for less than 2 minutes, Escobar remained inside the house, but that day he managed to avoid being located by speaking for less than two minutes. Following the same routine, Escobar continued calling pretending to be a journalist, but the second call went over two minutes, so he was immediately located. Escobar was found in a house in Los Olivos neighbourhood, a middle-class residential area of Medellín close to Atanasio Girardot Sports Complex by Colombian special forces, using technology provided by the United States, which allowed them to trace Escobar's location after he made a long call to his family. Police tried to arrest Escobar but the situation quickly escalated to an exchange of gunfire. Escobar was shot and killed while trying to escape from the roof, along with 'Limón', who was also shot. He was hit by bullets in the torso and feet, and a bullet, which struck him in the head, killing him. This sparked debate about whether he killed himself or whether he was shot and killed.
There are several hypotheses about his death:
- Escobar committed suicide by shooting himself below the right ear. This version coincides with the motto of Los Extraditables: "We prefer a grave in Colombia than a prison in the United States" and is the version defended by his family.
- A sniper from the group Los Pepes shot him.
- A DIJIN officer who was part of the Search Block shot him.
- A Delta Force (DF) sniper shot him.
- The coup de grace was fired by Colonel Hugo Heliodoro Aguilar, who led the assault group that arrived at the house.
- He was shot by Carlos Castaño Gil, the top leader of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), according to a confession by a paramilitary named José Antonio Hernández, known by the alias John.
- He was shot dead by a squad of the Search Bloc, which is the official version of events.
Aftermath of his death
Soon after Escobar's death and the subsequent fragmentation of the Medellín Cartel, the cocaine market became dominated by the rival Cali Cartel until the mid-1990s when its leaders were either killed or captured by the Colombian government. The Robin Hood image that Escobar had cultivated maintained a lasting influence in Medellín. Many there, especially many of the city's poor whom Escobar had aided while he was alive, mourned his death, and over 25,000 people attended his funeral. Some of them consider him a saint and pray to him for receiving divine help. Escobar was buried at the Monte Sacro Cemetery.
Virginia Vallejo's testimony
See also: Virginia Vallejo, Alberto Santofimio, Alfonso López Michelsen, Ernesto Samper, and Álvaro UribeOn 4 July 2006, Virginia Vallejo, a television anchorwoman romantically involved with Escobar from 1983 to 1987, offered Attorney General Mario Iguarán her testimony in the trial against former Senator Alberto Santofimio, who was accused of conspiracy in the 1989 assassination of presidential candidate Luis Carlos Galán. Iguarán acknowledged that, although Vallejo had contacted his office on 4 July, the judge had decided to close the trial on 9 July, several weeks before the prospective closing date. The action was seen as too late.
On 18 July 2006, Vallejo was taken to the United States on a special flight of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for "safety and security reasons" due to her cooperation in high-profile criminal cases. On 24 July, a video in which Vallejo had accused Santofimio of instigating Escobar to eliminate presidential candidate Galán was aired by RCN Television of Colombia. The video was seen by 14 million people, and was instrumental for the reopened case of Galán's assassination. On 31 August 2011 Santofimio was sentenced to 24 years in prison for his role in the crime.
Role in the Palace of Justice siege
Among Escobar's biographers, only Vallejo has given a detailed explanation of his role in the 1985 Palace of Justice siege. She stated that Escobar had financed the operation, which was committed by M-19; she blamed the army for the killings of more than 100 people, including 11 Supreme Court magistrates, M-19 members, and employees of the cafeteria. Her statements prompted the reopening of the case in 2008; Vallejo was asked to testify, and many of the events she had described in her book and testimonial were confirmed by Colombia's Commission of Truth. These events led to further investigation into the siege that resulted with the conviction of a high-ranking former colonel and a former general, later sentenced to 30 and 35 years in prison, respectively, for the forced disappearance of the detained after the siege. Vallejo would subsequently testify in Galán's assassination. In her book, Amando a Pablo, odiando a Escobar (Loving Pablo, Hating Escobar), she had accused several politicians, including Colombian presidents Alfonso López Michelsen, Ernesto Samper, and Álvaro Uribe of having links to drug cartels.
The surviving members of the extinct guerrilla group have reiterated their statements that Escobar never financed the assault taking into account the war they waged with his former armed wing MAS, and that the assault only had political purposes in the midst of his 'Campaign for Colombia'. The existence of original and copied files on the crimes of the Medellin Cartel in the Foreign Ministry, US and Colombian courts, and in the American embassy in Bogota refutes any theory of Escobar's involvement.
Relatives
Escobar's widow (María Henao, now María Isabel Santos Caballero), son (Juan Pablo, now Sebastián Marroquín Santos) and daughter (Manuela) fled Colombia in 1995 after failing to find a country that would grant them asylum. Despite Escobar's numerous and continual infidelities, Maria remained supportive of her husband. Members of the Cali Cartel even replayed their recordings of her conversations with Pablo for their wives to demonstrate how a woman should behave. This attitude proved to be the reason the cartel did not kill her and her children after Pablo's death, although the group demanded and received millions of dollars in reparations for Escobar's war against them. Henao even successfully negotiated for her son's life by personally guaranteeing he would not seek revenge against the cartel or participate in the drug trade.
On February 1993, n the midst of the war between Escobar and his men against the Pepes, Escobar tried to get his family to the United States. The first time was unsuccessful because the immigration authorities required Victoria Eugenia to provide a permit signed by Escobar before a notary in which he allowed his children to leave the country, a document that was in order with others, but the authorities did everything to make Escobar's family miss the flight. The second time, in October 1993 even though the Escobar Henao family had all the documents in order, the visas of all its members, especially Victoria Eugenia Henao, were cancelled. The third attempt was towards Europe. Although Germany was going to be a country where they would make a shortage, both the DEA and the Colombian authorities alerted the German authorities who immediately deported the Escobar Henao family from Frankfurt Airport to Colombia. After escaping first to Mozambique, then to Brazil, the family settled in Argentina. Living under her assumed name, Henao became a successful real estate entrepreneur until one of her business associates discovered her true identity, and Henao absconded with her earnings. Local media were alerted, and after being exposed as Escobar's widow, Henao was imprisoned for eighteen months while her finances were investigated. Ultimately, authorities were unable to link her funds to illegal activity, and she was released. According to her son, Henao fell in love with Escobar "because of his naughty smile the way he looked at . was affectionate and sweet. A great lover. I fell in love with his desire to help people and his compassion for their hardship. We drive to places where he dreamed of building schools for the poor. From beginning, he was always a gentleman." María Victoria Henao de Escobar, with her new identity as María Isabel Santos Caballero, continues to live in Buenos Aires with her son and daughter. On 5 June 2018, the Argentine federal judge Nestor Barral accused her and her son, Sebastián Marroquín Santos, of money laundering with two Colombian drug traffickers. The judge ordered the seizing of assets for about $1m each.
Argentinian filmmaker Nicolas Entel's documentary Sins of My Father (2009) chronicles Marroquín's efforts to seek forgiveness, on behalf of his father, from the sons of Rodrigo Lara, Colombia's justice minister who was assassinated in 1984, as well as from the sons of Luis Carlos Galán, the presidential candidate who was assassinated in 1989. The film was shown at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and premiered in the U.S. on HBO in October 2010. In 2014, Marroquín published Pablo Escobar, My Father under his birth name. The book provides a firsthand insight into details of his father's life and describes the fundamentally disintegrating effect of his death upon the family. Marroquín aimed to publish the book in hopes to resolve any inaccuracies regarding his father's excursions during the 1990s.
Escobar's sister, Luz Maria Escobar, made multiple gestures in attempts to make amends for the drug baron's crimes. These include making public statements in the press, leaving letters on the graves of his victims, and, on the 20th anniversary of his death, organizing a public memorial for his victims. Escobar's body was exhumed on 28 October 2006 at the request of some of his relatives in order to take a DNA sample to confirm the alleged paternity of an illegitimate child and remove all doubt about the identity of the body that had been buried next to his parents for 12 years. A video of the exhumation was broadcast by RCN, angering Marroquín, who accused his uncle, Roberto Escobar, and cousin, Nicolas Escobar, of being "merchants of death" by allowing the video to air.
Hacienda Nápoles
After Escobar's death, the ranch, zoo and citadel at Hacienda Nápoles were given by the government to low-income families under a law called Extinción de Dominio (Domain Extinction). The property has been converted into a theme park surrounded by four luxury hotels overlooking the zoo.
Escobar Inc
In 2014, Roberto Escobar founded Escobar Inc with Olof K. Gustafsson and registered Successor-In-Interest rights for his brother Pablo Escobar in California, United States.
Hippos
Main article: Pablo Escobar's hipposEscobar kept four hippos in a private menagerie at Hacienda Nápoles. They were deemed too difficult to seize and move after Escobar's death, and hence left on the untended estate. By 2007, the animals had multiplied to 16 and had taken to roaming the area for food in the nearby Magdalena River. In 2009, two adults and one calf escaped the herd and, after attacking humans and killing cattle, one of the adults (called "Pepe") was killed by hunters under authorization of the local authorities. As of early 2014, 40 hippos have been reported to exist in Puerto Triunfo, Antioquia Department, from the original four belonging to Escobar. As of 2016, without management, the population size is likely to more than double in the next decade.
The National Geographic Channel produced a documentary about them titled Cocaine Hippos. A report published in a Yale student magazine noted that local environmentalists are campaigning to protect the animals, although there is no clear plan for what will happen to them. In 2018, National Geographic published another article on the hippos which found disagreement among environmentalists on whether they were having a positive or negative impact but that conservationists and locals – particularly those in the tourism industry – were mostly in support of their continued presence. By October 2021, the Colombian government had started a program of chemically sterilizing the animals.
Apartment demolition
On 22 February 2019, at 11:53 AM local time, Medellín authorities demolished the six-story Edificio Mónaco apartment complex in the El Poblado neighborhood where, according to retired Colombian general Rosso José Serrano, Escobar planned some of his most brazen attacks. The building was initially built for Escobar's wife but was gutted by a Cali Cartel car bomb in 1988 and had remained unoccupied ever since, becoming an attraction to foreign tourists seeking out Escobar's physical legacy. Mayor Federico Gutierrez had been pushing to raze the building and erect in its place a park honoring the thousands of cartel victims, including four presidential candidates and some 500 police officers. Colombian President Ivan Duque said the demolition "means that history is not going to be written in terms of the perpetrators, but by recognizing the victims", hoping the demolition would showcase that the city had evolved significantly and had more to offer than the legacy left by the cartels.
Personal life
Family and relationships
In March 1976, the 26-year-old Escobar married María Victoria Henao Vallejo, who was 15. The relationship was discouraged by the Henao Vallejo family, who considered Escobar socially inferior; the pair eloped, despite being a close friend of Mario Henao Vallejo, who would become his brother-in-law. They had two children: Juan Pablo (now Sebastián Marroquín) and Manuela. In 2007, the journalist Virginia Vallejo published her memoir Amando a Pablo, odiando a Escobar (Loving Pablo, Hating Escobar), in which she describes her romantic relationship with Escobar and the links of her lover with several presidents, Caribbean dictators, and high-profile politicians. Her book inspired the movie Loving Pablo (2017). A drug distributor, Griselda Blanco, is also reported to have conducted a clandestine but passionate relationship with Escobar; several items in her diary link him with the nicknames "Coque de Mi Rey" (My Coke King) and "Polla Blanca" (White Cock).
Properties
After becoming wealthy, Escobar created or bought numerous residences and safe houses, with the Hacienda Nápoles gaining significant notoriety. The luxury house contained a colonial house, a sculpture park, and a complete zoo with animals from various continents, including elephants, exotic birds, giraffes, and hippopotamuses. Escobar had also planned to construct a Greek-style citadel near it, and though construction of the citadel was started, it was never finished.
Escobar owned a home in the US under his own name: a 6,500 square foot (604 m), pink, waterfront mansion situated at 5860 North Bay Road in Miami Beach, Florida. The four-bedroom estate, built in 1948 on Biscayne Bay, was seized by the US federal government in the 1980s. Later, the dilapidated property was owned by Christian de Berdouare, proprietor of the Chicken Kitchen fast-food chain, who had bought it in 2014. De Berdouare would later hire a documentary film crew and professional treasure hunters to search the edifice before and after demolition, for anything related to Escobar or his cartel. They would find unusual holes in floors and walls, as well as a safe that was stolen from its hole in the marble flooring before it could be properly examined.
Escobar owned a huge Caribbean getaway on Isla Grande, the largest of the cluster of the 27 coral cluster islands comprising Islas del Rosario, located about 35 km (22 mi) from Cartagena. The compound, now half-demolished and overtaken by vegetation and wild animals, featured a mansion, apartments, courtyards, a large swimming pool, a helicopter landing pad, reinforced windows, tiled floors, and a large but unfinished building to the side of the mansion.
In popular culture
Books
Escobar has been the subject of several books, including the following:
- Escobar (2010), by Roberto Escobar, written by his brother shows how he became infamous and ultimately died.
- Escobar Gaviria, Roberto (2016). My Brother – Pablo Escobar. Escobar, Inc. ISBN 978-0692706374.
- Kings of Cocaine (1989), by Guy Gugliotta, retells the history and operations of the Medellín Cartel, and Escobar's role within it.
- Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw (2001), by Mark Bowden, relates how Escobar was killed and his cartel dismantled by U.S. special forces and intelligence, the Colombian military, and Los Pepes.
- Pablo Escobar: My Father (2016), by Juan Pablo Escobar, translated by Andrea Rosenberg.
- Pablo Escobar: Beyond Narcos (2016), by Shaun Attwood, tells the story of Escobar and the Medellín Cartel in the context of the failed War on Drugs; ISBN 978-1537296302
- American Made: Who Killed Barry Seal? Pablo Escobar or George HW Bush (2016), by Shaun Attwood, tells Pablo's story as a suspect in the murder of CIA pilot Barry Seal; ISBN 978-1537637198
- Loving Pablo, Hating Escobar (2017) by Virginia Vallejo, originally published by Penguin Random House in Spanish in 2007, and later translated to 16 languages.
- News of a Kidnapping, (original Spanish title: Noticia de un secuestro) non-fiction 1996 book by Gabriel García Márquez, and published in English in 1997.
Films
Two major feature films on Escobar, Escobar (2009) and Killing Pablo (2011), were announced in 2007. Details about them, and additional films about Escobar, are listed below.
- Blow, a 2001 American biographical film based on George Jung, a member of the Medellín Cartel; Escobar was portrayed by Cliff Curtis.
- Pablo Escobar: The King of Coke (2007) is a TV movie documentary by National Geographic, featuring archival footage and commentary by stakeholders.
- Escobar (2009) was delayed because of producer Oliver Stone's involvement with the George W. Bush biopic W. (2008). As of 2008, the release date of Escobar remained unconfirmed. Regarding the film, Stone said: "This is a great project about a fascinating man who took on the system. I think I have to thank Scarface, and maybe even Ari Gold."
- Killing Pablo (2011) was supposedly in development for several years, directed by Joe Carnahan. It was to be based on Mark Bowden's 2001 book of the same title, which in turn was based on his 31-part Philadelphia Inquirer series of articles on the subject. The cast was reported to include Christian Bale as Major Steve Jacoby and Venezuelan actor Édgar Ramírez as Escobar. In December 2008, Bob Yari, producer of Killing Pablo, filed for bankruptcy.
- Escobar: Paradise Lost (2014) a romantic thriller in which a naive Canadian surfer falls in love with a girl who turns out to be Escobar's niece.
- Loving Pablo (2017), Spanish film based on Virginia Vallejo's book Loving Pablo, Hating Escobar with Javier Bardem as Escobar, and Penélope Cruz as Virginia Vallejo.
- American Made (2017), American action-comedy film loosely based on the life of Barry Seal; Escobar was portrayed by Mauricio Mejía.
- Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022), American biopic parody loosely based on the life of "Weird Al" Yankovic; Arturo Castro portrays Escobar who is depicted as a Weird Al fan who kidnaps Weird Al's girlfriend, Madonna, to lure him to play at his fortieth birthday party. Weird Al instead murders him.
Television
- In 2005, Court TV (now TruTV) crime documentary series Mugshots released an episode on Escobar titled "Pablo Escobar – Hunting The Druglord".
- In the 2007 HBO television series, Entourage, actor Vincent Chase (played by Adrian Grenier) is cast as Escobar in a fictional film entitled Medellín.
- One of ESPN's 30 for 30 series films, The Two Escobars (2010), by directors Jeff and Michael Zimbalist, looks back at Colombia's World Cup run in 1994 and the relationship between sports and the country's criminal gangs — notably the Medellín narcotics cartel run by Escobar. The other Escobar in the film title refers to former Colombian defender Andrés Escobar (no relation to Pablo), who was shot and killed one month after conceding an own goal that contributed to the elimination of the Colombian national team from the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
- Caracol TV produced a television series, El cartel (The Cartel), which began airing on 4 June 2008 where Escobar is portrayed by an unknown model when he is shot down by Cartel del Sur's hitmen.
- Also Caracol TV produced a TV Series, Pablo Escobar: El Patrón del Mal (Pablo Escobar, The Boss of Evil), which began airing on 28 May 2012, and stars Andrés Parra as Pablo Escobar. It is based on Alonso Salazar's book La parábola de Pablo. Parra reprises his role in TV series Football Dreams, A World of Passion and in the first season of El Señor de los Cielos. Parra has declared not to play the character again so as not to typecast himself.
- RTI Producciones produced a TV Series for RCN Televisión, Tres Caínes, was released on 4 March 2013, which Escobar is portrayed by the Colombian actor Juan Pablo Franco (who portrayed general Muriel Peraza in Pablo Escobar: El Patrón del Mal) in the first phase of the series. Franco reprises his role in Surviving Escobar: Alias JJ.
- Also in 2013, Fox Telecolombia produced for RCN Televisión a TV Series, Alias El Mexicano, released on 5 November 2013, where Escobar was portrayed by an unknown actor in a minor role.
- A Netflix original television series depicting the story of Escobar, titled Narcos, was released on 28 August 2015, starring Brazilian actor Wagner Moura as Pablo. Season two premiered on the streaming service on 2 September 2016.
- In 2016, Teleset and Sony Pictures Television produced for RCN Televisión the TV Series En la boca del lobo, was released on 16 August 2016, which Escobar is portrayed by Fabio Restrepo (who portrayed Javier Ortiz in Pablo Escobar: El Patrón del Mal) as the character of Flavio Escolar.
- National Geographic in 2016 broadcast a biography series Facing that included an episode featuring Escobar.
- On 24 January 2018, Netflix released the 68-minute-long documentary Countdown to Death: Pablo Escobar directed by Santiago Diaz and Pablo Martin Farina.
- Killing Escobar was a documentary televised in the UK in 2021. It concerned a failed attempt by mercenaries, contracted by the Cali Cartel and led by Peter McAleese, to assassinate Escobar in 1989.
- Fox Telecolombia produced in 2019 a TV Series, El General Naranjo, which aired on 24 May 2019, which Escobar is portrayed by the Colombian actor Federico Rivera.
Music
- The 2013 song "Pablo" by American rapper E-40 serves as an ode to the legacy of Pablo Escobar.
- The 2016 album The Life of Pablo by American rapper Kanye West was named after the three Pablos who inspired and represented some part of the album, with one of them being Pablo Escobar.
- Dubdogz's "Pablo Escobar" (feat. Charlott Boss), released in 2020, has garnered more than 5.6 million views for its official music video.
- The 2018 hit single Narcos by the Atlanta-based rap group Migos from their album Culture II makes references to Pablo Escobar as well as the Medellin Cartel, and the Netflix series Narcos.
References
- "Discreción, un secuestro y una millonaria herencia: La historia del misterioso padre de Pablo Escobar". 23 September 2018.
- "La herencia desconocida del papá de Pablo Escobar". 5 November 2016.
- "Mamá de Pablo Escobar y su extraña petición para el entierro del narcotraficante". 29 June 2023.
- ""No me avergüenza ser la mamá de Pablo Escobar": La madre del jefe del Cartel de Medellín dedicó sus últimos días a limpiar la imagen de su hijo". 22 April 2023.
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- "Is Countdown to Death: Pablo Escobar (2017) on Netflix USA?". What's New on Netflix USA. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
- "E-40 – 'The Block Brochure Parts 4, 5 & 6' (Album Covers & Track Lists)". hiphop-n-more.com. 29 October 2013. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- Trzcinski, Matthew (5 May 2020). "Kanye West Once Explained the Identity of Pablo From 'The Life of Pablo'". cheatsheet.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- Dubdogz – Pablo Escobar (feat. Charlott Boss) [Official Music Video], 10 July 2020, retrieved 3 September 2022
- "Migos – Narcos". Youtube. 27 June 2018. Archived from the original on 18 April 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
External links
Media related to Pablo Escobar at Wikimedia Commons
- "The Abandoned House of Pablo Escobar". noaccess.eu. Archived from the original on 2 September 2015. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
- Pablo Escobar at IMDb
- Pablo Escobar
- 1949 births
- 1993 deaths
- 20th-century criminals
- Colombian drug traffickers
- Colombian mass murderers
- Colombian crime bosses
- Medellín Cartel traffickers
- Folk saints
- Colombian people of Basque descent
- Colombian people of Italian descent
- Colombian Roman Catholics
- Members of the Chamber of Representatives of Colombia
- People from Rionegro
- People shot dead by law enforcement officers in Colombia
- Escobar Gaviria family