PABLO ESCOBAR

Throughout the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s, Pablo Escobar, a prominent drug lord from Colombia, gained dominance. He was reared in Medellin after moving there as a young street criminal. He was born on December 1st, 1949, in Rionegro, Colombia.

Involved in the drug trade since the 1970s, Escobar soon rose to prominence as one of the most potent cocaine smugglers in the world. At the height of its strength, the Medellin Cartel, under his leadership, was in charge of 80% of the cocaine transported into the US.

Escobar was known for his brutal tactics and willingness to kill anyone who stood in his way. He was responsible for numerous bombings, assassinations, and other acts of violence in Colombia and abroad. He even declared war on the Colombian government in the early 1990s, and was responsible for the deaths of thousands of people in the resulting violence.

Despite his notorious reputation, Escobar was also known for his Robin Hood-like persona, as he spent a great deal of money on social programs and infrastructure in the communities where he operated. This helped to gain him the support of many people, especially in Medellin.

Escobar's reign of terror came to an end in 1993, when he was killed by Colombian security forces. He had been on the run for several months, and was finally tracked down to a safe house in Medellin. In the ensuing shootout, Escobar was shot and killed, bringing an end to one of the most infamous criminal careers in history.

Today, Escobar is remembered as a symbol of the excesses of the drug trade and the violence that comes with it. However, he is also seen by some as a folk hero, who used his power and wealth to help the poor and marginalized communities in Colombia.