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. 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

1948: Construction of Miami Beach mansion

In 1948, a waterfront mansion was built at 5860 North Bay Road in Miami Beach, Florida, which Escobar later owned.

December 1949: Pablo Escobar's Birth

In December 1949, Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria was born in Rionegro, Antioquia Department, Colombia.

Others born on this day/year

1966: Escobar leaves High School

In 1966, Escobar left high school just before his 17th birthday, before returning two years later with his cousin Gustavo Gaviria.

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.

March 1976: Escobar marries María Victoria Henao

In March 1976, the 26-year-old Escobar married 15-year-old María Victoria Henao. The relationship was discouraged by the Henao family and the pair eloped.

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.

1976: Founding of the Medellín Cartel

In 1976, Escobar founded the Medellín Cartel, which distributed powder cocaine, and established the first smuggling routes from Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, through Colombia and eventually into the United States. He also established connections with the Sandinista government in Nicaragua and hired the National Liberation Army (ELN) to carry out bombings and assassinations against government officials. He was also allegedly helped by Cuba.

1976: Investigation by Lara-Bonilla's subordinates

In 1976, Escobar's arrest was investigated by the subordinates of Rodrigo Lara-Bonilla.

April 1978: Meeting of Drug Lords and Expansion of Medellín Cartel

In April 1978, Escobar met several drug lords on a farm, after which the Medellín Cartel expanded, transporting approximately 19,000 kilograms of cocaine to the United States by the end of the year.

1978: Establishment of Smuggling Route in the Bahamas

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

1982: Purchase of Land and Construction of Hacienda Nápoles

In 1982, Escobar purchased 20 square kilometers of land in Antioquia and built the Hacienda Nápoles, a luxury house with a zoo, lake, sculpture garden, and private bullring.

1982: Entry into Colombian Congress

In 1982, Pablo Escobar entered politics and successfully entered the Colombian Congress, gaining parliamentary immunity and the right to a diplomatic passport. He became known as "Robin Hood Paisa" due to his charitable work, developing Medellín's poorest neighborhoods and building various public amenities.

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.

January 1984: Escobar Announces Retirement from Politics

In January 1984, Pablo Escobar announced his retirement from politics after being expelled from the Liberal Party and facing accusations of criminal activity from Minister of Justice, Rodrigo Lara-Bonilla.

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.

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.

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.

1991: Escobar's Surrender and Imprisonment

In 1991, Pablo Escobar surrendered to authorities and was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, after striking a deal of no extradition with Colombian President César Gaviria, with the ability of being housed in his own, self-built prison, La Catedral.

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.

1992: Escobar's Escape from La Catedral

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

1995: Escobar's family flees Colombia

In 1995, Escobar's widow, son, and daughter fled Colombia after failing to find a country that would grant them asylum.

July 2006: Vallejo taken to the United States

In July 2006, Virginia Vallejo was taken to the United States by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for safety and security due to her cooperation in high-profile criminal cases.

October 2006: Exhumation of Escobar's body

On October 28, 2006, Escobar's body was exhumed at the request of some of his relatives to take a DNA sample and confirm the alleged paternity of an illegitimate child.

2008: Reopening of the Palace of Justice siege case

In 2008, the Palace of Justice siege case was reopened due to Vallejo's statements. She was asked to testify, and her statements were confirmed by Colombia's Commission of Truth.