Challenges Faced by Pablo Escobar: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Pablo Escobar. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Pablo Escobar, the 'King of Cocaine', was the leader of the Medellín Cartel, which dominated the cocaine trade in the US during the 1980s and early 1990s. He amassed immense wealth through his criminal activities. Escobar was a narcoterrorist and politician who became one of the richest criminals in history with an estimated net worth of $30 billion by the time of his death.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

May 1976: Escobar's Arrest for Drug Trafficking

In May 1976, Pablo Escobar was arrested by the Colombian Security Service (DAS) after returning from drug trafficking in Ecuador with 39 kg of cocaine found in his car. However, Escobar bribed the second judge in the lawsuit and was released.

November 1985: Los Extraditable Organization

In the fall of November 1985, Pablo Escobar requested conditional surrender without extradition to the United States. When this was rejected, he founded and implicitly supported the Los Extraditable Organization, which aimed to fight the extradition policy and was accused of supporting the guerrilla movement that attacked the Colombian Judiciary Building on 6 November 1985.

1991: Escobar's Surrender and Imprisonment

In 1991, Pablo Escobar surrendered to authorities and was sentenced to five years' imprisonment on several charges. As part of a deal with Colombian president César Gaviria, he was housed in his self-built prison, La Catedral, and was guaranteed no extradition to the U.S.

1991: Escobar's Surrender

In 1991, after the assassination of Luis Carlos Galán, Pablo Escobar surrendered to Colombian authorities, declaring an end to his violent acts, in exchange for a reduced sentence and preferential treatment. The newly approved Colombian Constitution of 1991 prohibited the extradition of Colombian citizens to the United States.

July 1992: Escobar Escapes from La Catedral

On July 22, 1992, Pablo Escobar discovered the plan to move him to a more conventional jail and escaped from his luxurious private prison, La Catedral, spending the remainder of his life evading the police.

1992: Escobar's Escape from La Catedral

In 1992, Pablo Escobar escaped from his self-built prison, La Catedral, after authorities attempted to move him to a standard holding facility, which led to a nationwide manhunt.

December 1993: Death of Escobar in Medellín

On December 2, 1993, Pablo Escobar was found and killed in a house in Medellín by Colombian special forces, who used technology provided by the United States to trace his location after he made a call to his family. Escobar was shot and killed while trying to escape from the roof.

June 2018: Accusation of money laundering in Argentina

On June 5, 2018, in Argentina, federal judge Nestor Barral accused Maria Isabel Santos Caballero (formerly María Victoria Henao) 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.