What Happened to Pablo Escobar? Who Killed Pablo Escobar?
by Mathelene
Updated Jun 22, 2023
What Happened to Pablo Escobar?
Pablo Escobar, one of the most notorious drug lords in history, was killed on December 2, 1993. He was shot and killed by Colombian National Police during a raid on his hideout in Medellín, Colombia. His criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and violence, led to the deaths of thousands of people in Colombia and beyond. Escobar was known for his brutal tactics, including bombings, assassinations, and acts of terrorism.
The Colombian government, along with international efforts, pursued an aggressive campaign to dismantle the Medellín Cartel and capture or kill its leaders. Escobar evaded capture for several years but eventually met his demise in 1993. His death marked a significant milestone in the fight against drug trafficking in Colombia, but the country continued to struggle with the consequences of the drug trade and the presence of other cartels even after his demise.
Escobar's life and criminal activities have been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and the popular television series "Narcos."
Pablo Escobar Biography
Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria was a Colombian drug lord, narcoterrorist, and politician. He was the founder and leader of the Medellín Cartel, which dominated the cocaine trade in the 1980s and early 1990s. Escobar was notorious for his immense wealth, estimated to be around $30 billion at the time of his death, making him one of the richest criminals in history.
Escobar grew up in Medellín, Colombia, and engaged in criminal activities from a young age. He started by selling illegal cigarettes and fake lottery tickets, and later became involved in drug smuggling. In 1976, he established the Medellín Cartel, which became the primary distributor of powder cocaine and established smuggling routes from South American countries to the United States.
Escobar's drug operations generated a huge demand for cocaine in the United States, and he became incredibly wealthy as a result. However, his rise to power was accompanied by violence and terror. He orchestrated numerous bombings, murders, and massacres, targeting rivals, police officers, judges, politicians, and innocent civilians. Colombia became known as the murder capital of the world during this time.
In addition to his criminal activities, Escobar also dabbled in politics. He was elected as an alternate member of the Chamber of Representatives in the 1982 Colombian parliamentary election. He gained popularity among locals through community projects and philanthropy, but his political ambitions were ultimately thwarted by the Colombian and U.S. governments, which sought his arrest.
In 1991, Escobar surrendered to authorities and was imprisoned, but he struck a deal with Colombian President César Gaviria that allowed him to build his own prison called La Catedral. However, in 1992, he escaped when authorities attempted to transfer him to a different facility, leading to a nationwide manhunt.
On December 2, 1993, a day after his 44th birthday, Escobar was killed by the Colombian National Police in a raid on his hideout in Medellín. His death marked the downfall of the Medellín Cartel, but his legacy remains controversial. While many condemn his heinous crimes, he was seen by some as a Robin Hood-like figure due to his charitable acts and support for the poor.
His funeral was attended by thousands of people, and his private estate, Hacienda Nápoles, has been turned into a theme park. Escobar's life has been widely depicted and fictionalized in various forms of media.
Who Killed Pablo Escobar?
Pablo Escobar was killed by the Colombian National Police. On December 2, 1993, a joint operation involving the Search Bloc, a specialized unit of the Colombian National Police, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) located Escobar's hiding place in a neighborhood in Medellín, Colombia.
During the raid, Escobar attempted to escape by running across rooftops but was eventually located and shot by the Colombian police. He suffered gunshot wounds and died at the scene. The circumstances surrounding his death have been the subject of some speculation and controversy, with some theories suggesting that he may have been executed rather than killed in a shootout. However, the official account maintains that he was killed in a confrontation with the Colombian police.
After Escobar's death, the Medellín Cartel began to unravel, and Colombia experienced a period of significant change in its fight against drug trafficking and organized crime.
Pablo Escobar Daughter
Manuela Escobar, the youngest daughter of infamous drug kingpin Pablo Escobar and his wife Maria Victoria Henao, holds a significant place in the Escobar family history. Born on May 24, 1984, in Panama, she was cherished by her father and played a central role in his life.
During the period when the Escobar family was evading Colombian and American authorities, they sought refuge in a hideout located in the mountains of Medellín. It is said that during their time there, Manuela fell ill with hypothermia due to the harsh cold conditions. In a display of extreme devotion to his daughter, Pablo Escobar reportedly burned a staggering amount of money, approximately $2 million in cash, to provide warmth and comfort to Manuela.
This act exemplifies the lengths Escobar was willing to go to ensure the well-being of his loved ones, even at the cost of his immense wealth. It also illustrates the close bond between father and daughter, with Manuela being the apple of Escobar's eye. However, after the death of her father and the subsequent dismantling of the Medellín Cartel, Manuela and her mother faced significant challenges.
They had to adapt to life on the run, constantly changing identities and locations to evade threats and attempts on their lives. Eventually, they found relative anonymity by settling in Argentina under new identities. In recent years, Manuela has deliberately maintained a low profile, avoiding public attention and media scrutiny. She has chosen to distance herself from her notorious family legacy and has focused on leading a quiet and private life away from the shadow cast by her father's criminal activities.
Is Pablo Escobar Alive?
Pablo Escobar is not alive. He died on December 2, 1993, in Medellín, Colombia. After being on the run for several months, Escobar's hideout in Medellín was discovered by Colombian security forces. When the authorities closed in on the location, Escobar and one of his companions attempted to flee by climbing to the rooftop of the building. A pursuit and intense firefight ensued between Escobar and his associates on one side and the Colombian troops on the other.
During the exchange of gunfire, Escobar sustained fatal gunshot wounds. He was struck multiple times and succumbed to his injuries, leading to his death on the scene. This marked the end of the infamous drug lord's life, bringing to a close one of the most notorious chapters in the history of organized crime.
The death of Escobar had significant ramifications, including the dismantling of the Medellín Cartel and a subsequent decline in drug trafficking operations associated with his reign. It also brought some relief to the Colombian people, who had suffered greatly from the violence and instability caused by Escobar's criminal activities.
How Did Pablo Escobar Die?
Pablo Escobar faced numerous threats from the Colombian police, the U.S. government, and his rival, the Cali Cartel. On December 2, 1993, Colombian special forces, aided by technology provided by the United States, located Escobar in a house situated in a middle-class residential area of Medellín.
When the police attempted to apprehend Escobar, the situation quickly escalated into a fierce exchange of gunfire. Escobar, in an attempt to evade capture, made his way to the roof of the building. It was during this escape attempt that he was shot and killed.
The exact circumstances of his death have been a subject of debate. Some sources suggest that Escobar died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, indicating that he may have taken his own life. However, others maintain that he was shot by Colombian special forces. Reports indicate that Escobar sustained bullet wounds to his torso, feet, and an ear, which ultimately resulted in his death.
The circumstances surrounding Escobar's demise continue to spark discussions and differing opinions regarding the exact manner in which he met his fate. However, it is widely accepted that his death marked the end of his criminal reign and had significant implications for the drug trade and law enforcement efforts in Colombia.
What Happened to Pablo Escobar? - FAQs
Pablo Escobar was a Colombian drug lord and the leader of the Medellín Cartel.
Pablo Escobar died on December 2, 1993.
Escobar was shot and killed during a raid by Colombian special forces on his hideout in Medellín. He sustained gunshot wounds during a firefight and ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Yes, Escobar was involved in various criminal activities besides drug trafficking. These included extortion, kidnapping, money laundering, and acts of violence such as bombings and assassinations.
Escobar's death marked a turning point in Colombia's fight against drug trafficking.