Magical realism is defined as what happens when a highly detailed, realistic setting is invaded by something too strange to believe. There was a reason magical realism was born in Colombia. It’s fitting that the Netflix show Narcos – which focused on the Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar – starts by describing a literary phenomenon most commonly associated with Colombia author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Escobar’s story is certainly littered with its own sprinkling of magic, how a boy who grew up in abject poverty went on to become the most powerful drug lord in the, who continued to cock his snook at the mighty US government and its DEA agents. Strangely, not unlike magic realism, the Medellin Cartel’s boss’ name came up in the Andhra assembly when the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu compared his rival YSR Congress leader Jagan Mohan Reddy to the notorious narco-terrorist and accused him of fostering a drug crisis in the state during his five-year rule. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu declared that the state’s situation during Jagan Mohan Reddy’s governance was unprecedentedly dire. Naidu remarked in the assembly, “Only one person can be compared to what happened in Andhra, and that is Pablo Escobar,” highlighting the severity of the drug menace. He alleged that from 2019 to 2024, the state had become the “ganja capital” and pledged to address the issue. Naidu elaborated, “Pablo Escobar was a Colombian drug lord and narco-terrorist who became a politician and started his drug cartel, amassing $30 billion at that time, now worth $90 billion. He was arrested in 1976 and by 1980 had become the world’s richest drug lord. Some people aim to become richer by selling drugs.” — ANI (@ANI)
Who was Pablo Escobar? Born on December 1, 1949, in Rionegro, Colombia, he rose to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful criminals in history through his extensive cocaine trafficking operations. Escobar’s life has inspired numerous books, movies, and television series, highlighting his dramatic ascent and subsequent downfall in the criminal underworld.
- Enormous Wealth: At the height of his power, Escobar was among the richest men globally, with his net worth estimated to be around $30 billion in the early 1990s. He was reportedly making approximately $420 million weekly from his drug empire.
- “Robin Hood” Image: Pablo Escobar used his immense wealth to fund various community projects in Medellín, Colombia, earning a degree of local support. He built housing for the poor, constructed sports fields and facilities, and funded schools and hospitals. Escobar’s investments in infrastructure included paving roads and installing streetlights in underdeveloped neighbourhoods. Additionally, he sponsored local soccer teams and provided substantial financial assistance to needy families, enhancing his Robin Hood-like reputation among the local populace.
- Innovative Smuggling Techniques: The Medellín Cartel employed numerous innovative methods to smuggle cocaine into the United States, including using submarines, airplanes, and even hollowed-out statues. Escobar owned a fleet of planes and helicopters specifically for this purpose. Escobar collaborated with Amado Carrillo Fuentes, known as “The Lord of the Skies,” to smuggle cocaine using a fleet of private jets and commercial aircraft.
- Going to Congress: Pablo Escobar entered politics in Colombia in the early 1980s. In 1982, he was elected as an alternate member of the Chamber of Representatives of Colombia. Escobar’s political career was short-lived, as his involvement in drug trafficking soon became widely known, leading to his eventual expulsion from Congress.
Extravagant Lifestyle: Escobar’s immense wealth enabled him to live an extraordinarily lavish lifestyle. He owned multiple properties, including the famous Hacienda Nápoles estate, which featured a zoo with exotic animals, a private airport, and a bullring. Pablo Escobar kept a variety of exotic animals at his Hacienda Nápoles estate, including hippos, elephants, giraffes, rhinoceroses, camels, exotic birds, and antelopes.
Escaping Prison: In a controversial agreement with the Colombian government, Escobar was allowed to build his own luxurious prison, known as La Catedral, in 1991. This facility included amenities such as a nightclub, a jacuzzi, and a waterfall. He continued to manage his drug empire from within until he escaped in 1992 after authorities attempted to move him to a standard prison. It was also the host of many famous footballers including Diego Maradona who claims he had a great time there.
War with the Government: Escobar’s conflict
