Early Life and Education of Pablo Escobar: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Pablo Escobar. A timeline of key moments.

Pablo Escobar was a Colombian drug lord and the leader of the Medellín Cartel, dominating the cocaine trade to the US during the 1980s and early 1990s. Known as the "King of Cocaine," he amassed immense wealth, becoming one of history's richest criminals. Escobar's operations involved narcoterrorism and significant political influence, making him a notorious and impactful figure in Colombia and international drug trafficking until his death.

Sections (5)

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

1948: Construction of Miami Beach Mansion

In 1948, the four-bedroom estate was built on Biscayne Bay, later to be owned by Escobar.

December 1949: Pablo Escobar's birth

In December 1949, Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria was born in Rionegro, Antioquia Department, Colombia. He belonged to the Paisa ethnic subgroup and grew up in poverty in Medellín.

Others born on this day/year

1966: Escobar leaves high school

In 1966, Pablo Escobar left high school just before his 17th birthday, marking a shift in his life towards criminal activities.

1971: Kidnapping of Diego Echavarria

In the summer of 1971, Pablo Escobar's gang kidnapped and killed businessman Diego Echavarria, receiving a $50,000 ransom. This event made his gang well known for kidnapping.

March 1976: Escobar Marries Maria Victoria Henao

In March 1976, the 26-year-old Escobar married María Victoria Henao, who was 15. The relationship was discouraged by the Henao family, who considered Escobar socially inferior.

May 1976: Escobar's arrest for drug trafficking

In May 1976, Pablo Escobar was arrested by the Colombian Security Service (DAS) for drug trafficking in Ecuador, with 39 kg of cocaine found in his car. He bribed the second judge in the lawsuit and was released, and the agent who arrested him was assassinated the following year.

1976: Escobar founded the Medellín Cartel

In 1976, Pablo Escobar founded the Medellín Cartel, which distributed powder cocaine. He established smuggling routes from Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, through Colombia, and into the US, marking a significant step in his criminal career.

1976: Investigation of Escobar's arrest

In 1976, Pablo Escobar's arrest was investigated by Rodrigo Lara-Bonilla's subordinates, marking the beginning of a conflict between them.

April 1978: Escobar meets drug lords

In April 1978, Pablo Escobar met several drug lords on a farm, leading to the expansion of the Medellín Cartel. By the end of 1978, they had transported approximately 19,000 kilograms of cocaine to the United States.

1978: Development of Norman's Cay

From 1978, Pablo Escobar and Carlos Lehder developed Norman's Cay in the Bahamas as a trans-shipment point for the Medellín Cartel, establishing a central smuggling route.

1982: Escobar Enters Colombian Congress

In 1982, Pablo Escobar entered Colombian Congress, gaining parliamentary immunity. He became known as "Paisa Robin Hood" due to his charitable work, including developing Medellín's poorest neighborhoods.

1982: Purchase of land for Hacienda Nápoles

In 1982, Pablo Escobar purchased 20 square kilometers of land in Antioquia to build the Hacienda Nápoles, a luxury house with amenities for his family and the cartel.

January 1984: Escobar retires from politics

In January 1984, Pablo Escobar announced his retirement from politics, following his expulsion from the Liberal Party and increasing scrutiny.

November 1985: Attack on the Colombian Judiciary Building

On November 6, 1985, The Los Extraditable Organization, implicitly supported by Escobar, supported the far-left guerrilla movement that attacked the Colombian Judiciary Building. Half of the justices of the Supreme Court were killed.

1986: Supreme Court declares extradition treaty illegal

In late 1986, Colombia's Supreme Court declared the previous extradition treaty with the United States illegal due to it being signed by a presidential delegation, not the president, marking a short-lived victory for Escobar.

August 1989: Assassination of Luis Carlos Galán

On August 18, 1989, Luis Carlos Galán was assassinated at Pablo Escobar's orders. Subsequently, Escobar planted a bomb on Avianca Flight 203 in an attempt to assassinate Galán's successor, César Gaviria Trujillo, resulting in the deaths of 107 people.

1991: Escobar surrenders to Colombian authorities

In 1991, Pablo Escobar surrendered to Colombian 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.

July 1992: Government attempts to move Escobar to a conventional jail

On July 22, 1992, the government attempted to move Pablo Escobar to a more conventional jail. Escobar escaped, spending the remainder of his life evading the police.

1992: Escobar escapes from La Catedral

In July 1992, Pablo Escobar escaped from La Catedral when authorities attempted to move him to a more standard holding facility, leading to a nationwide manhunt.

December 1993: Escobar killed in Medellín

On December 2, 1993, Pablo Escobar was found and killed in a house in Medellín by Colombian special forces, after they traced his location using technology provided by the United States. He was shot while trying to escape from the roof.

1993: Escobar killed in Medellín

In 1993, Pablo Escobar was killed in his hometown by the Colombian National Police, a day after his 44th birthday, marking the end of the Medellín Cartel.