Pablo Escobar Died, Poor People Cry, In Today's History, December 2, 1993

JAKARTA - On December 2, 1993, Colombian police forces ambushed the world's most powerful drug lord, Pablo Escobar, in an ordinary house in Medellín, Colombia. He could not escape because he was shot on the spot.

In 1989, Escobar's Medellin cartel reportedly placed a bomb on a plane in an attempt to kill an informant. As a result of the bombing, more than 100 people died. The threat of extradition to the United States (US) elicited greater retaliation from Escobar. Escobar is known to have said that he "would rather have a grave in Colombia than a prison cell in the US."

As reported by Britannica, until finally in June 1991, Escobar surrendered and was imprisoned. His surrender coincided with the Colombian Congress voting against extradition. However, his imprisonment had little effect on his criminal activities and lifestyle.

While in prison, Escobar was allowed to build a luxurious prison, which became known as La Catedral. Facilities at the prison not only include a nightclub, sauna, waterfall, and football field, but also have telephones, computers, and fax machines.

However, after Escobar tortured and killed two cartel members at La Catedral, officials decided to transfer Escobar to an under-accommodated prison. Prior to his transfer, Escobar escaped from detention in July 1992. Since then his whereabouts have not been identified. The Colombian government, aided by US officials and rival drug dealers, launched a manhunt for Escobar.

Escobar's whereabouts were finally discovered. The day after his birthday celebration on December 1, 1993, the next day he was surrounded by the police. While trying to escape through the roof, police snipers shot Escobar seven times.

When the gunfire stopped, he laid on his back on the roof, along with his two guns beside his motionless body. Escobar and his bodyguard Alvaro de Jesus Agudelo or The Lemon, died instantly. Escobar's escape comes to a halt and his words of having a tomb in Colombia are fulfilled.

Poor people cry

Pablo Escobar's funeral was accompanied with shouts of "Viva Pablo!" by thousands of mourners. Escobar is known as a ruthless cocaine baron and Colombia's most wanted criminal. But for the little people, Pablo Escobar is a hero, especially for the poor people in the slum town of Medellin hillside.

"He built houses and cared for the poor," said a 29-year-old engineering student who was attending Pablo Escobar's funeral, citing the New York Times.

"In the future, people will go to his grave to pray, as they do to saints," he added.

Even though a Roman Catholic religious leader was present, the religious ceremony was canceled as a boisterous crowd tried to reach for the silver metal coffin. Worried for the safety of the mourners, Pablo Escobar's wife and two children left before the burial.

Escobar's death also hastened the demise of the Medellin Cartel, which played a central role in Colombia's cocaine trade. Escobar's family gets police protection. Colombian President Cesar Gaviria Trujillo presented the award to the police and agents who carried out the operation. Many Colombians have expressed readiness for revenge for Escobar's death.

Escobar's Profile

Pablo Escobar plunged into the criminal world since he was a teenager. His initial illegal activities were selling fake diplomas, smuggling stereo equipment, and stealing tombstones for resale. Escobar also stole cars and it was this offense that resulted in his first arrest, which was in 1974.

As Colombia's cocaine industry grew, Escobar became involved in drug smuggling. In the 1970s he helped found the Medellín cartel crime organization. Notable partners include Juan David, Jorge Luis, and Fabio. Escobar served as head of the organization, which focused largely on the production, transportation, and sale of cocaine.

Escobar also possessed extraordinary power and wealth. According to some reports, he has a net worth of around $25 billion, which supports a luxurious lifestyle that includes a 2,800-hectare estate called Hacienda Nápoles in Colombia.

Escobar also has a football field, dinosaur statue, artificial lake, bullring, airfield, and tennis court in one area. The property also has a zoo that houses giraffes, hippos, and camels. Escobar also funds various projects to help the poor, making him comparable to Robin Hood.

*Read other information about TODAY'S HISTORY or read other interesting articles from Putri Ainur Islam.

Other TODAY'S HISTORY