SYDNEYSTUDENTTIMES

Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria, often referred as the ‘’King of Coke’’, was considered as the most flagrant and influential criminal in the history of cocaine trafficking. The ‘Medellin Cartel’ was formed by him in collaboration with other criminals enjoying near monopoly in the cocaine smuggling business in the U.S. In 1989, Forbes mentioned him as the seventh wealthiest person in the world. He earned billions of dollars (the earnings sum up to around $30 billion) and led an extravagant life with the fortune he made. His empire included four hundred luxury mansions across the world, private aircrafts and a private zoo that housed various exotic animals. He also had his own army of soldiers and seasoned criminals. While his vast empire was built on murders and crimes, he was also known for sponsoring soccer clubs and charity projects.

 

Difficult childhood

Escobar was born in December 1949, in Antioquia, Colombia. He came from a modest background. His father worked as a peasant farmer while his mother was a school teacher. From an early age, Escobar packed a unique drive and ambition to raise himself up from his humble beginnings. As a young man, he told his friends and his family he wanted to become president of Colombia.

 

Criminal career

Yet, he got his start as a petty street thief, and was involved in various other criminal activities, from stealing cars and selling contraband cigarettes to kidnapping. He then entered in the cocaine trade in the early 1970’s, controlling over 80 % of the cocaine chipped to the American market.

He earned popularity by sponsoring charity projects and soccer clubs, he was like the Robin Hood of his community:  Escobar was a brilliant criminal, and he knew that he would be safer if the common people of Medellin loved him. Therefore, he spent millions on parks, schools, stadiums, churches and even housing for the poorest of Medellin’s inhabitants. His strategy worked : Escobar was beloved by the common people and that perception helped him win election to an alternate seat in the country’s Congress in 1982. But in 1989 the cartel reportedly placed a bomb aboard an airplane in an attempt to kill an alleged informant. More than 100 people were killed and threats of extradition to the United States began.

In 1991, due to increasing pressure to extradite Escobar, the Colombian government and Escobar’s lawyers came up with an interesting arrangement : Escobar would turn himself in and serve a five-year jail term. In return, he would build his own prison and would not be extradited to the United States or anywhere else. The prison called “La Catedral”, was an elegant fortress which featured a Jacuzzi, a waterfall, a full bar and a soccer field. In addition, Escobar had negotiated the right to select his own “guards.”

 

“Plata o Plomo”

Escobar’s ruthlessness was legendary. His rise was opposed by many honest politicians, judges, civilians and policemen, who did not like the growing influence of this street thug. Escobar had a way of dealing with his enemies : he called it “plata o plomo,” literally, "silver or lead". Usually, if a politician, judge or policeman got in his way, he would first attempt to bribe them, and if that didn’t work, he would order them killed, occasionally including their family in the hit. The exact number of honest men and women killed by Escobar is unknown, but it definitely goes well into the hundreds and perhaps into the thousands.

 

Pablo Escobar’s death

Notorious and untouchable in his own country, Pablo Escobar soon became America’s number 1 enemy. After lots of failed attempts to find and bring down Escobar, the Search Bloc (Colombian special police) was finally successful on December 2nd, 1993. A Colombian surveillance team was able to track him down in the Medellin neighbourhood where the young Escobar grew up. Being surrounded and in the middle of a fire fight, Escobar tried to escape with his closest bodyguard via the roofs of adjoining houses. Nevertheless, both of them were shot to death by the Colombian police forces during this attempt to escape.

 

With Escobar gone, the Medellin Cartel quickly lost power. Escobar is still remembered by the poor of Medellin as a benefactor. He has been the subject of numerous books, movies, and websites, and fascination continues with this master criminal, who once ruled one of the greatest crime empires in history.

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Dewi LR