Escobar’s life story has been widely documented, and his larger-than-life persona has been dramatized in numerous films and television series. These portrayals often show a man of contrasts: a ruthless drug lord on one hand, and a Robin Hood figure on the other, who used his wealth to build houses and infrastructure for the poor. Despite the bloodshed and destruction he caused, his story continues to fascinate and horrify, a testament to the enduring impact of his life and deeds.

Pablo Escobar, born in 1949, rose from poverty to become one of the world’s most notorious criminals as the head of the Medellín Cartel in Colombia. He recognized the potential of cocaine in the ’70s and set up mass-production labs in the Colombian jungle. By the mid-1980s, Escobar, driven by ambition, was one of the world’s richest men, with an estimated worth of $30 billion. His wealth, however, came at a terrible cost. The Medellín Cartel was responsible for thousands of deaths, including police officers, judges, and a presidential candidate. Escobar’s violent approach to business, epitomized by his phrase ‘plata o plomo’, meaning ‘silver or lead’, offered a choice between bribery or assassination. His reign ended in 1993 when he was shot and killed by Colombian police. Escobar’s complex legacy continues to be a subject of intense debate; some remember him as a Robin Hood-like figure who built schools and hospitals for the poor, while others view him as a ruthless criminal who brought devastation to their country.