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. He dominated the cocaine trade to the United States in the 1980s and early 1990s, accumulating immense wealth, estimated around $30 billion at the time of his death, making him one of history's richest criminals. His activities involved narcoterrorism and violence, impacting Colombia significantly. He was killed in 1993.

Sections (5)

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

1971: Kidnapping of Diego Echavarria

In the summer of 1971, Escobar's gang kidnapped businessman Diego Echavarria, who was eventually killed, and received a $50,000 ransom from the Echavarria family.

May 1976: Arrest for Drug Trafficking in Ecuador

In May 1976, Escobar was arrested by the Colombian Security Service (DAS) upon his return from drug trafficking in Ecuador; 39 kg of cocaine were found in his car's spare tire. He bribed the second judge in the lawsuit and was released along with other prisoners.

1982: Election to the Chamber of Representatives

In 1982, Pablo Escobar was elected as an alternate member of the Chamber of Representatives as part of the Liberal Party in the Colombian parliamentary election. He initiated community projects that increased his popularity, but faced opposition from the Colombian and U.S. governments, who sought his arrest. He was widely believed to have orchestrated the Avianca Flight 203 and DAS Building bombings in retaliation.

1984: Assassination of Rodrigo Lara

In 1984, Rodrigo Lara, Colombia's justice minister, was assassinated.

November 1985: Escobar requests conditional surrender

In the fall of November 1985, the wanted Escobar requested the Colombian government to allow his conditional surrender without extradition to the United States. The proposal was initially rejected, and Escobar subsequently founded and implicitly supported the Los Extraditable Organization, which aims to fight extradition policy. 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.

1985: Escobar's role in the Palace of Justice siege

In 1985, according to Vallejo, Escobar financed the Palace of Justice siege, which was committed by M-19. She blamed the army for the killings of more than 100 people.

1986: Supreme Court declares extradition treaty illegal

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, with new president Virgilio Barco Vargas having quickly renewed his agreement with the United States.

1988: Cali Cartel car bomb at Edificio Mónaco

In 1988, the Edificio Mónaco, originally built for Escobar's wife, was gutted by a car bomb planted by the Cali Cartel.

August 1989: Assassination of Luis Carlos Galán and Bombing of Avianca Flight 203

In August 1989, Luis Carlos Galán was assassinated at Escobar's orders. Following this, Escobar planted a bomb on Avianca Flight 203 in an attempt to assassinate Galán's successor, César Gaviria Trujillo, which resulted in the deaths of all 107 people on board. The U.S. government began to intervene directly due to the death of two Americans in the bombing.

1989: Accusation of Santofimio in Galán's Assassination

In 1989, Alberto Santofimio was accused of conspiracy in the assassination of Luis Carlos Galán.

1989: Assassination of Luis Carlos Galán

In 1989, Luis Carlos Galán, the presidential candidate, was assassinated.

1991: Escobar's Surrender to Authorities

In 1991, after negotiations with the Colombian government, Escobar surrendered to authorities in exchange for a reduced sentence and preferential treatment during his captivity. The extradition of Colombian citizens to the United States was prohibited by the newly approved Colombian Constitution of 1991, which was suspected to have been influenced by Escobar and other drug lords.

July 1992: Government attempt to move Escobar

On 22 July 1992, the government attempted to move Escobar from La Catedral to a conventional jail. Escobar's influence allowed him to discover the plan in advance and make a successful escape, spending the remainder of his life evading the police.

December 1993: Death of Pablo Escobar

On 2 December 1993, Pablo Escobar was located in Medellín by Colombian special forces with the help of U.S. technology. He was killed in a shootout while trying to escape, sparking debate about whether he killed himself or was killed by police.

June 2018: Money laundering accusation against Escobar's widow and son

On June 5, 2018, María Isabel Santos Caballero (formerly María Henao), Escobar's widow, and her son, Sebastián Marroquín Santos, were accused of money laundering by Argentine federal judge Nestor Barral. The judge ordered the seizing of assets for about $1m each.