Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Pablo Escobar

Public opinion and media debates around Pablo Escobar—discover key moments of controversy.

Pablo Escobar was a Colombian drug lord and the leader of the Medellín Cartel. Known as the "King of Cocaine," he became one of the wealthiest criminals in history, controlling a significant portion of the cocaine trade into the United States during the 1980s and early 1990s. Escobar's wealth was estimated at US$30 billion by the time of his death. His cartel's operations and his own actions caused significant violence and instability in Colombia.

Sections (5)

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

1971: Escobar's Kidnapping of Diego Echavarria

In the summer of 1971, Escobar kidnapped businessman Diego Echavarria and eventually killed him, receiving a $50,000 ransom from the Echavarria family.

November 1985: Escobar Requests Conditional Surrender

In November 1985, Escobar requested the Colombian government to allow his conditional surrender without extradition to the United States. His proposal was rejected, and he supported the Los Extraditable Organization, which was accused of attempting to prevent the Colombian Supreme Court from studying the constitutionality of Colombia's extradition treaty with the United States.

1985: Escobar's Role in the Palace of Justice Siege

In 1985, according to Virginia Vallejo, Escobar financed the Palace of Justice siege, committed by M-19. Vallejo blamed the army for the killings of over 100 people.

1988: Edificio Mónaco Car Bombing

In 1988, the Edificio Mónaco, an apartment complex that belonged to Escobar's wife, was gutted by a Cali Cartel car bomb.

August 1989: Assassination of Luis Carlos Galán

On 18 August 1989, Luis Carlos Galán was assassinated on Escobar's orders. Escobar then planted a bomb on Avianca Flight 203 in an attempt to assassinate Galán's successor, César Gaviria Trujillo, who missed the plane and survived. All 107 people were killed in the blast.

2008: Reopening of Palace of Justice Siege Case

In 2008, Vallejo's statements prompted the reopening of the Palace of Justice siege case. 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.

June 2018: Money Laundering Accusation

On June 5, 2018, in Argentina, federal judge Nestor Barral accused María Isabel Santos Caballero, Escobar's widow, and her son, Sebastián Marroquín Santos, of money laundering with two Colombian drug traffickers and ordered the seizing of assets for about $1m each.