Editing Pablo Escobar (section)

==Criminal Empire and Reign of Terror==
Escobar’s Medellín Cartel operated with military-like precision, employing hitmen (sicarios), bribing officials, and intimidating rivals. His “plata o plomo” (silver or lead) strategy—offering bribes or death—ensured compliance from officials and competitors. Key events in his criminal career include:
===Assassination Campaigns===
Escobar ordered the murders of hundreds, including Justice Minister Rodrigo Lara Bonilla in 1984 and presidential candidate Luis Carlos Galán in 1989, as well as the 1989 bombing of Avianca Flight 203, which killed 107 people.
===War with the State===
After Colombia signed an extradition treaty with the U.S., Escobar waged war on the government, orchestrating bombings and attacks to resist extradition. His violence led to thousands of deaths, earning him the title of the world’s most wanted criminal.
===La Catedral Prison===
In 1991, Escobar negotiated his surrender to Colombian authorities, agreeing to serve time in a luxurious, self-built prison, La Catedral, from which he continued to run his cartel. He escaped in 1992 after fears of extradition intensified.
Escobar’s influence extended into Colombian politics; he was elected as an alternate congressman in 1982, though his criminal ties led to his expulsion. His wealth and power made him a folk hero to some in Colombia’s poor communities, but a ruthless tyrant to others.