PANEDA JR BELARDO B

D5 – 4TH YR
REACTION PAPER
Pablo Escobar was a Colombian drug trafficker who collaborated with other criminals to
form the Medellin cartel in the early 1970s. Eventually, he controlled over 80 percent of the
cocaine shipped to the United States, earning the nickname The King of Cocaine. He amassed an
estimated net worth of 30 billion and was named one of the 10 richest people on Earth by Forbes.
He earned popularity by sponsoring charity projects and soccer clubs but later terror campaigns
that resulted in the murder of thousands turned public opinion against him. After surrendering to
the Colombian authorities in 1991, Escobar escaped detainment in 1992 and was a fugitive until
his dramatic death in December 1993.
It wasn’t by chance that Colombia came to dominate the cocaine trade. Beginning in the
early 1970s, the country became a prime smuggling ground for marijuana. But as the cocaine
market flourished, Colombia’s geographical location proved to be its biggest asset. Situated at
the northern tip of South America between the thriving coca cultivation epicenters of Peru and
Bolivia, the country came to dominate the global cocaine trade with the United States, the
biggest market for the drug and just a short trip to the north. Escobar, who had already been
involved in organized crime for a decade at this point, moved quickly to grab control of the
cocaine trade.
In 1975, the drug trafficker Fabio Restrepo from the city of Medellín, Colombia, was
murdered. It was widely believed his death came at the orders of Escobar, who immediately
seized power and expanded Restrepo’s operation into something the world had never seen.
Under Escobar’s leadership, large amounts of coca paste were purchased in Bolivia and Peru
then processed and transported to America. Escobar worked with a small group to form the
infamous Medellín cartel. Escobar’s rapid rise brought him to the attention of the Department
Administrative de Seguridad (DAS), who arrested him in May 1976 upon his return from a drug
trafficking trip in Ecuador. Authorities found 39 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the spare tire of
his truck. Escobar escaped the charges by bribing a judge, and the two DAS agents responsible
for his arrest were killed the next year, according to Mark Bowden book Killing Pablo. Around
this time, Escobar developed his signature pattern of dealing with authorities called plata o
plomo, Spanish for “silver or lead,” in which they could accept bribes or be assassinated,
according to Bowden.
In 1978, Escobar spent millions to purchase 20 square kilometers of land in Antioquia,
Colombia, where he built his luxury estate Hacienda Nápoles. It contained a sculpture garden,
lake, private bullring, and other amenities for his family and members of the cartel. It also
featured a collection of luxury cars and bikes, as well as a zoo with antelope, elephants, giraffes,
hippos, ponies, ostriches, and exotic birds. After Escobar’s death, it was turned into a theme
park. Today, the hippo population which traces back to Escobar’s original transplant has swelled
in the country, causing environmental destruction and providing tourism opportunities. 'The arc
of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice.' This statement alludes that regardless
of how successful you may seem to be, immorality will always be followed by justice. Pablo
Escobar built his empire of terror, murder, extortion and service that did not advance all whom it
affected. He was personally responsible for over 4000 deaths, which included the infamous plane
bombing and the assassination of a presidential candidate. These acts did lead to him being
beheld as EL Patron but in the end, he met his end through the violence he wrought.
The rise and fall of Hitler Idi Amin Enron and Lehman Brothers are all testaments that
immorality won't last. The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice. Pablo
Escobar was a very shrewd businessman and an even sterner negotiator. Escobar had a very
strong propensity for violence which could be offset by a sense of diplomacy - meaning bribery.
Escobar's negotiation philosophy was simple ‘plata o plomo.This means 'silver or lead. If you
were an official or someone who could block Escobar's agenda, you could accept Escobar's
money or you could accept his bullets - the choice was clear-cut. Initially, some opposed his
bribes and they were very swiftly met with lead. This 'either or stance is considered as a win lose
stance, which is not the most ideal according to Stephen Covey as we should always aim for a
win win. However, depending on the circumstance a 'win-lose' stance is the most effective.
An example will be with regards to yourself in relation to a goal. Those who often reach
their goals are manic with their approach and demand high standards of themselves - they have a
mindset that 'it is either do or die.' Hernan Cortes landed on the shore of the 600-year-old
running Aztec empire. Outnumbered and outclassed, he burnt all the boats cutting out any form
of retreat. His men had no way out and they ultimately conquered the Aztecs. The United States
founding fathers, Steve Jobs and Apartheid freedom fighters had the mindset of 'either or' -
depending on the circumstance, this is the best form of negotiation. In conclusion, Pablo Escobar
played a huge role in drug trafficking during 1880's to early 1990's.
Escobar became one of the wealthiest criminals in history due to the control and power
he had over drug cartels. Even after his death, Escobar still has tons of influence in drug cartels
and became an inspiration for many other cartels later on. There are many different factors that
can lead to a person to committing a crime or developing deviant behavior. Rational choice
theory and Differential association theory both further explain why Pablo Escobar became the
drug lord he was and explain why he did the things he did.
 REACTION PAPER
Pablo Escobar was a Colombian drug trafficker who partnered with other criminals to
establish the Medellín cartel in the early 1970s. He eventually controlled over 80% of the
cocaine entering the United States, earning the title The King of Cocaine. His net worth was
estimated at $30 billion, making him one of Forbes' top ten richest people. While he gained
popularity through charitable projects and soccer club sponsorships, his involvement in violent
campaigns, which led to thousands of deaths, turned public opinion against him. After
surrendering to Colombian authorities in 1991, Escobar escaped detention in 1992 and remained
a fugitive until his dramatic death in December 1993.
Colombia's rise in the cocaine trade wasn't accidental. The country became a key
smuggling hub for marijuana in the early 1970s, but its strategic location between Peru and
Bolivia, the leading coca producers, solidified its dominance in the cocaine market, particularly
with the U.S. just to the north.
Escobar, having been involved in organized crime for years, quickly seized control of the
cocaine trade following the murder of rival trafficker Fabio Restrepo in 1975, a death widely
attributed to Escobar. He expanded Restrepo's operation into an unprecedented enterprise,
sourcing large quantities of coca paste from Bolivia and Peru to process and ship to America,
eventually forming the notorious Medellín cartel.
Escobar's swift ascent attracted the attention of the Departamento Administrativo de
Seguridad DAS, leading to his arrest in May 1976 after authorities discovered 39 kilograms of
cocaine in his vehicle. He evaded prosecution by bribing a judge, and the two DAS agents
involved in his arrest were murdered the following year. Around this time, Escobar developed
his infamous strategy of plata o plomo silver or lead, offering officials the choice of accepting
bribes or facing assassination.
In 1978, he invested millions in a 20 square kilometer estate in Antioquia, Colombia,
known as Hacienda Nápoles, featuring luxurious amenities like a zoo, a private bullring, and an
array of exotic animals. After his death, the estate was converted into a theme park, with the
hippos he introduced causing ecological issues and drawing tourists.
The phrase the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice underscores
the idea that despite apparent success, immorality ultimately leads to justice. Escobar's reign of
terror, resulting in over 4,000 deaths including a notorious plane bombing and the assassination
of a presidential candidate eventually turned the public against him. His rise and fall mirror
historical examples like Hitler and Enron, illustrating that wrongdoing cannot endure.
Escobar was a cunning businessman and tough negotiator, known for his violent
tendencies tempered by a strategic approach to diplomacy primarily bribery. His negotiation
tactic, plata o plomo, presented a stark choice to those in his way: accept his money or face
violence. While this approach exemplifies a win lose strategy, which is generally less favorable
according to Stephen Covey, it can be effective under certain circumstances. Historical figures
like Hernan Cortes and the U.S. founding fathers also demonstrated this mindset of either or in
their pursuits.
Pablo Escobar played a significant role in drug trafficking from the 1980s to the early
1990s, becoming one of history's wealthiest criminals through his control over drug cartels. His
legacy continues to influence modern drug trafficking. Various theories, including rational
choice and differential association, help explain how he became the notorious drug lord he was.
PANEDA JR BELARDO B
CRIM – D5
REACTION PAPER
PABLO ESCOBAR – KING OF COCAINE
Pablo Escobar, commonly known as the "King of Cocaine," was a multifaceted
individual whose presence in Colombia and globally had a lasting impact. Questions about
morality, power, and the consequences of drug trafficking are raised by his rise from a humble
beginning to becoming one of the richest individuals worldwide. This reflection delves into
important elements of his life and their consequences.
Pablo Emilio Escobar entered the world on December 1, 1949, in Rionegro, Colombia.
Coming of age in a humble household, his formative experiences influenced his perspective on
life. His dad worked as a farmer, while his mom had a job as a teacher. These modest origins
cultivated within him a solid work ethic and ambition. Nonetheless, the financial hardships he
faced during his early years also motivated his ambition for riches and influence. Escobar started
his criminal career by committing small thefts and engaging in street hustling. In the 1970s, he
quickly noticed the profitable opportunities in the cocaine industry. In the early 1980s, he
established the Medellín Cartel, which would grow to be one of the most influential drug
trafficking groups ever. His intelligence and ruthless ambition were shown through his skill in
handling the complexities of the drug trade.
At the height of his power, Escobar was one of the richest men in the world, with an
estimated net worth of $30 billion. His wealth allowed him to wield immense influence, not just
in Colombia but globally. He built schools, hospitals, and sports facilities in his hometown,
earning him the nickname "Robin Hood" among some. This duality—being a benefactor to the
poor while simultaneously causing untold suffering through drug violence—highlights the moral
ambiguity of his actions. Escobar’s ascent to power was marked by extreme violence. To protect
his empire, he employed brutal tactics, including assassinations, bombings, and intimidation. The
most notorious of these acts was the bombing of Avianca Flight 203 in 1989, which killed 107
people. The violence escalated in the early 1990s, leading to a significant loss of life and creating
a climate of fear in Colombia. This dark aspect of his legacy raises critical questions about the
costs of power and the human toll of the drug trade.
Escobar’s ambitions extended into politics. He sought to gain legitimacy and influence by
running for a position in the Colombian Congress in 1982. Although he was elected, his political
career was short-lived due to his criminal activities. This attempt to enter legitimate politics
illustrates the interplay between crime and governance, and how drug lords sought to gain
political power to shield themselves from law enforcement. The Colombian government, with
the assistance of the United States, launched a relentless campaign against Escobar in the 1990s.
After years of evasion, he was killed on December 2, 1993, by Colombian National Police. His
death marked the decline of the Medellín Cartel and the beginning of a new phase in the
Colombian drug trade. This downfall serves as a reminder that power gained through illegitimate
means is often fleeting and comes with dire consequences.
As a student of criminology, my knowledge of Pablo Escobar's life is complex,
combining theoretical concepts with the harsh truths of his behavior. The way I view Escobar is
influenced by the intricacies of his personality, the socio-political landscape of Colombia, and
the wider effects of his impact on society. One cannot overlook Escobar's strategic intelligence.
He demonstrated a cleverness and smarts that enabled him to climb from humble beginnings to
become one of the most influential individuals globally. His skill in constructing a large
drug empire, outsmarting law enforcement, and controlling public opinion highlights a genius in
action. This point of view may inspire an interest in his illegal activities, sparking conversations
about the motives of such people.
Escobar's efforts to present himself as a modern-day "Robin Hood" make me question my
opinion of him even more. His charitable actions, which include constructing schools and
hospitals, earned him a certain level of popular backing, particularly within the poor
neighborhoods in Colombia. Even though these actions could have had beneficial outcomes, they
were also used as a strategy to build loyalty and divert focus away from his illegal actions. This
dual nature prompts ethical queries about the intentions behind charitable acts: can positive
actions ever truly counterbalance the negative effects of one's main behaviors.
As I further investigate my studies, I realize that Escobar's life is an example of how
crime, poverty, and power dynamics intersect. Systemic inequalities and the social conditions in
Colombia helped facilitate his ascent. The drug industry thrived in a setting of despair, showing
that criminal activity can sometimes stem from larger societal problems instead of just personal
decisions. This comprehension motivates me to think about the structural aspects that lead to
criminal behavior, advocating for a broader perspective on preventing and intervening in crime.
Looking at Escobar only as a criminal genius fails to fully capture the destructive
consequences of his deeds. The damage he caused through violence, corruption, and suffering on
numerous lives is immeasurable. The toll on humanity caused by his empire, ranging from the
casualties of his brutal methods to the societies thrown into chaos by drug trade, illustrates the
significant harm he brought about. This recognition can be quite unsettling for a criminology
student, as it emphasizes the actual impact of crime outside of numbers and explanations.
The life of Pablo Escobar is a complex story that includes ambition, power, violence, and
the intricacies of human behavior. His tale is a strong warning of the outcomes of uncontrolled
ambition and the ethical challenges encountered by people seeking power. Even though his death
signified the conclusion of a period for the Medellín Cartel, the impact of his existence still
resonates within Colombian society and the worldwide drug trafficking sphere. When we think
about his lasting impact, we are urged to contemplate the wider consequences of his deeds and
the continuous difficulties brought about by the drug industry in our current society.