Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw

by Mark Bowden

  BOOKS

  The Andean Cocaine Industry, by Patrick L.Clawson and Rensselaer W.Lee III, St. Martin's Press, 1996. An excellent overview with lots of statistics detailing the growth of cocaine trafficking and efforts to fight it.

  Bandeleros, Gamonales,y Campesinos, by Gonzalo Sanchez and Donny Meertens, El Ancora Editores, 1983. Passages translated for me by Eduardo Mendoza.

  Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life, by jon Lee Anderson, Grove Press, 1997. A classic. The definitive life of Che, and a rich and sweeping portrait of South and Central America during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.

  Clear and Present Dangers: The U.S. Military and the War on Drugs in the Andes, Washington Office on Latin America, 1991.

  Cocaine Politics: Drugs, Armies and the CIA in Central America, by Peter Dale Scott and Jonathan Marshall, University of California Press, 1998.

  Colombia: A Lonely Planet Survival Kit, by Krzysztof Dydyuski, Lonely Planet Publications, 1995. An extremely useful travel guide with concise abstracts on Colombian history, geography, flora, fauna, climate, etc.

  Colombia and the United States: Hegemony and Interdependence, by Stephen J. Randall, University of Georgia Press, 1992. A straightforward history of U.S.-Colombian relations over three centuries.

  Colombia: Democracy Under Assault, by Harvey F.Kline, Westview Press, 1995. A scholarly summary of Colombian history from prehistory to the 1990s.

  Colombia: The Genocidal Democracy, by javier Giraldo, S.J., Common Courage Press, 1996. A left-wing polemic against the tradition of violence in Colombia and its ties to wealthy capitalist interests and the United States. Passionate but one-sided.

  Death Beat: A Colombian Journalist's Life Inside the Cocaine Wars, by Maria Jimena Duzon, HarperCollins, 1994. Captures the excitement and despair of a working journalist in Colombia during this period.

  El Patrón, Vida y Muerte de Pablo Escobar, by Luis Canon, Planeta Colombiana Editorial S.A., 1994. One of the best accounts of Pablo's life, although it is melodramatic and tends to repeat information of questionable authenticity. An artful clip-job.

  Gaitán of Colombia: A Political Biography, by Richard E.Sharpless, University of Pittsburgh Press, 1978. An excellent biography of the Colombian political leader gunned down in 1948; affords a detailed look at the country at midcentury.

  Kings of Cocaine: Inside the Medellín Cartel—An Astonishing True Story of Murder, Money, and International Corruption, by Guy Gugliotta and Jeff Leen, Simon & Schuster, 1989. A fan, solidly researched portrait of the drug war's early days, with colorful portraits of all the main characters, including Pablo.

  Mi Hermano Pablo, by Roberto Escobar, Quintero Editores, 2000. A curiosity. More a collection of random, brotherly memories than a comprehensive biography.

  News of a Kidnapping, by Gabriel García Márquez (translated by Edith Grossman), Penguin Books, 1998. A compelling, eloquent, and painful miniature of the tortuous series of kidnappings, murders, and negotiations that led up to Pablo's surrender in 1991.

  The Palace of Justice: A Colombian Tragedy, by Ana Carrigan, Four Walls Eight Windows, 1993. An angry journalist's account of the debacle that followed M-19's seizure of the Palace of justice in 1985. Carrigan doubts all of the official versions of the event, including government claims that Escobar was behind it.

  Panama, by Kevin Buckley, Touchstone, 1992. A terrific story of America's tangled relationship with Manuel Antonio Noriega, which touches here and there on the dictator's dealings with the Medellín cartel.

  The White Labyrinth: Cocaine and Political Power, by Rensselaer W.Lee III., Transaction Publishers, 1998.

  Whitewash: Pablo Escobar and the Cocaine Wars, by Simon Strong, Pan Books, 1996. This is the best book I found about Pablo Escobar and the entire period of the drug wars in Colombia, up until the year of Pablo's surrender in 1991. This edition includes a chapter updating the story with Pablo's death, but it lacks the detail of the rest of the account. Strong did an amazing research job.

  ARTICLES

  "The Bogotazo," by Jack Davis, CIA Historical Review Program, declassified in 1997.

  "Escobar: 17 Años de Historia del Criminal" El Tiempo, December 3, 1993.

  "Exit El Patrón," by Alma Guillermoprieto, The New Yorker, October 25, 1993. An extremely prescient, insightful, and well-reported piece, amazingly timely.

  "I Won't Study Law Because the Law Changes Every Day Here," El Colombiano, July 9, 1991. Translated by Ricky Ortiz.

  "Implications for the United States of the Colombian Drug Trade." A Special National Intelligence Estimate, CIA. Vohime II-Annex E, June 28, 1983.

  "Inside America's Troubled Wars Against the Cocaine Cartels," by Douglas Fish, The Washington Post Magazine, July 21, 1996.

  "On the Trail of Medellín's Drug Lord," by Andrew and Leslie Cockburn, Vanity Fair, December 1992.

  "This Is How We Killed Galán." An interview with Jhon "Popeye" Velasquez. Semana, October 1, 1996. Translated by Maria Carrizosa.

  "An Unforgettable Day," by Poncho Renteria, Semana, April 6,1993. Translated by Stephen Ambrus.

  DOCUMENTS

  "The Andean Strategy: Its Development and Implementation—Where We Are Now and Where We Should Be Going," T.K.Custer, Dept. of Defense, September 15, 1991. Unpublished.

  "Chronology of Significant Drug-Related Events in Colombia, 1989–1993," DEA (compiled by DEA agents at the U.S. embassy in Bogotá).

  "Colombia and the United States Chronology," Michael Evans, National Security Archive. (The Archive Chronology).

  Memorandum of Law, Dept. of the Army, "Executive Order 12333 and Assassination," November 2, 1989, by W.Hays Parks.

  National Security Decision Directive 221, April 8,1986. The White House. Declassified 3/26/98.

  National Security Decision Directive 18, August 21, 1989. The White House. Declassified 5/5/94.

  PROLOGUE: DECEMBER 2, 1993

  Colombians often use two given names, the paternal family name, which is the primary last name, followed by the maternal family name. Pablo Escobar's full name was Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria. For simplicity's sake, for English readers, I have used throughout the paternal family name. Pablo was not related to Colombian president César Gaviria. Hermilda Escobar and her daughter were videotaped by Colombian TV as they arrived at the scene on foot. Most of this description is drawn from that footage. She had been ill…fainted. Hermilda's interview with a TV reporter that day. There were those who said…feared him. TV and newspaper reports and interviews with Medellínos. "We are family …like Hitler's. Capt. Hugo Martinez, Maj. Luis Estupinan, videotape. It was hard to tell…at rest." Hermilda's TV interview.

  THE RISE OF EL DOCTOR: 1948–1989

  1

  There was no more…urban disorders." Gaitán of Colombia, 29–34, 170–182; Cbe Guevara, 90–91. The CIA description of Gaitán is from "The Bogotazo," 76, and the comment on Castro, 78. El Bogotazo was…troubled past. "The Bogotazo," 78–80; Gaitán, 178–180. Colombia: Democracy Under Assault, 40–45. Colombia is a land…race of men. Colombia: Democracy Under Assault, 26–39. Colombia: A Lonely Planet Guide, 10–30; Colombia: The Genocidal Democracy, from the introduction by Noam Chomsky, 7–16. Colombia and the United States, 90–120. Information about bandits is from Bandeleros. The story about God and the Colombian people was told to me by Eduardo Cabal, a Bogotá businessman. It was here…to be loved. Pablo's birthdate is from Whitewash, 17. Most accounts of Pablo's death on December 2, 1993, point out that he died on the day after his forty-fourth birthday. King of Cocame, 24–25. El Patrón. The Forbes estimate of Pablo's wealth was reported in the Cockburns' "On the Trail," 96. Kings of Cocaine, 337. When he was…that chapel. 75. Pablo did not…they smoked dope. Whitewash, 17–25. My interview with "Rubin," the Medellín pilot who was one of Pablo's contemporaries. Colombian dope…boredom as ambition. Pablo's smoking habits and physical description are from my interviews with Rubin, Roberto Uribe, and Centra Spike analysts. With his cousin…with that fantasy. Whitewash, 18–29. Kings of Cocaine,
24–27. Mi Hermano Pablo, 13–35. The tradition of contrabandistas from The White Labyrinth, 34. Also various Bogotá newspaper features about Pablo, particularly from El Espectador and El Tiempo.

  2

  Pablo Escobar…afraid of him." My interview with Rubin. The Andean Cocaine Industry, 37–48. Kings of Cocaine, 28–41. In April…were killed. Whitewash, 40–42. The story about hiring the judge's brother is from Uribe. The killings of the DAS agents is from the El Tiempo retrospective on Pablo's life, 3B. Pablo was…exceeded by profits. The Andean Cocaine Industry, plata o plomo, 51, Pablo's business practices, 38–39. Whitewash, 34–65. And what…Pablo's party. The Andean Cocaine Industry, 39. Death Beat, 198. Colombia: Democracy Under Assault, 60. With his multimillions…hardly noticed. Kings of Cocaine, 75. My interviews with Centra Spike analysts. After skating away…most popular citizen. Whitewash, details of Nápoles and Pablo's partying lifestyle on 41, 51–52, 68; on Mario Henao, 41; and the church, 78–81. Kings of Cocaine, on Pablo's lifestyle at Nápoles, 11, on the church, 111–12. "On the Trail," Nápoles, 98. The Andean Cocaine Industry, on Pablo's civic outreach, 48–49. In an interview…are disloyal." Whitewash, interview with Auto y Pista, 53. In private…unfortunate servant had. Centra Spike analysts, Uribe, and Pablo's own writings. The story of drowning the servant is from Rubin. Most of Medellín…to Colombia. From fragments of Pablo's writings and Uribe. Politics…president of Colombia. Death Beat, 19–20. The Andean Cocaine Industry, 48, Whitewash, 66–75. By then…north to south. From my interview in Bogotá with Pardo. The mistake…without a future." Medellín Cívica interview quoted from Kings of Cocaine, which cites an undated edition of that publication from 1983, 96. Pablo sponsored…the church. Kings of Cocaine, 110–12. Death Beat, 25. The only hint…political agenda. Whitewash, 71–72. On the extradition treaty, 61. The Andean Cocaine Industry, 48, 99. Pablo's election…his estate. Whitewash, on Muerte a Secuestradores, 64. The Andean Cocaine Industry, 46. Death Beat, 4. The CIA attributed MAS to Fabio Ochoa in its June 28, 1983, National Intelligence Estimate "Implications for the U.S." The Semana article is quoted in Whitewash, 71. Also my interview with Uribe. I don't recall if the program Miami Vice ever specifically mentioned Pablo, but there was a steady theme of fashionably clad, violent, rich Colombians in the show presumed to inherit the top rung of the illicit cocaine ladder, any one of whom could have been modeled after him. There is a picture of the plane mounted over the front gate in Kings of Cocaine, on the eleventh page of the first photo insert. He built…stop him. Mi Hermano Pablo, 33–34.

  3

  Newly appointed…aspirations," he said. Whitewash, 90–94. Death Beat, 32. Kings of Cocaine, 105–10, 116–18. Renteria, Semana, April 6, 1993, "An Unforgettable Day." Annals of El Congreso, August 23, 1983, 1185–86. El Espectador, Wednesday, August 17, 1983, 1A-10A, Thursday, August 18, 1983, 1A-14A, El Tiempo, August 19, 1983, 4A El Tiempo, Thursday, August 25, 1983, 1A-8A. Pablo complained…not have helped. Uribe, Pablo's letters, Whitewash, 89–90. Kings of Cocaine, 138–43.

  4

  Pablo was right…the CIA report said. Kings of Cocaine, 69. "Implications for the U.S." 1–2. The new U.S.…Lara was dead. Kings of Cocaine, 103–104. On Tranquilandia, 133. Whitewash, 94–95. His killing…hell to pay. The quote from Cano is from Death Beat, 31, and reaction to Lara's death, 34. The Andean Cocaine Industry, 103. Colombia: Democracy Under Assault, 61–62. Killing the justice minister…the United States. Kings of Cocaine, 170–71. Whitewash, 100. The Andean Cocaine Industry, 50. American involvement…our motherland." From a copy of the letter to Tambs in Gaviria archives. And, just like that…than he wanted. Rubin, The Andean Cocaine Industry, 42. Kings of Cocaine, 172. Panama, 18. Whatever the intentions…never forgive. The Andean Cocaine Industry, 102–103. Kings of Cocaine, 174–77. Death Beat, 36. Whitewash, 100–103. Rubin. Pablo didn't give up…hometown of Envigado. Pablo's writings, seized in a Search Bloc raid circa 1990. Pablo fled…hardship post. Rubin. Whitewash, 104–105, 141. Panama, 59–60. Kings of Cocaine, 154–56, 160–69. A photo of Pablo helping load Seal's aircraft in Nicaragua appears on the sixth page of the second photo insert. The near miss…letting him go. Kings of Cocaine, 185. After that…Colombia again. Whitewash, 142.

  5

  For the rest…resigned the treaty. Whitewash, 138–60. Kings of Cocaine, 241–50, 300–308. But victories…on a motorbike. Whitewash, 152. Kings of Cocaine, 283–84. Pablo's ugly struggle…Pablo's betrayal. Whitewash, 154–55. The Andean Cocaine Industry, 50. Still, the United States…in that country. National Security Decision Directive 221, April 8, 1986, declassified 3/26/98. I obtained a copy from Michael Evans of the National Security Archive. For American troops joining in counterdrug operations see Military Review, March 1990. Inside Colombia…genealogical tree." Counternarcotics chief Jaime Ramirez was killed. Whitewash, 152. The Archive Chronology. The Colombian ambassador shot in Budapest was Enrique Parejo. An account of the kidnappings of Hoyos and current Colombian president Pastrana is from Whitewash, 170–71. The threatening letter is reproduced in Colombia: Democracy Under Assault, 61. By the end of 1987…martial law. Gillespie's urgings and the NSC study are noted in "The Andean Strategy," 1. Martial law from the Archive Chronology. Through it all…raging storm. Uribe. He was now…legitimate drugstores. The Andean Cocaine Industry, 57. Whitewash, 168–69. In March…out unhurt. An account of the raid is in Whitewash, 175–76, and of the attack on Maza, 219. Death Beat, 131–33. As these battles…efforts failed. Uribe. Whitewash, 220–22. The Andean Cocaine Industry, 105–106. This passage records the attempt Escobar and other cartel leaders made to hire a firm that employed Jeb Bush and a firm owned by Henry Kissinger in an effort to gain ground with the Bush administration in their negotations. Accounts of the assassination attempt by former SAS soldiers led by Dave Tomkins and Peter MacAleese, 58. Whitewash, 180.The fiature…had begun. Gaviria, Pardo, Uribe, Death Beat, 152–54. Whitewash 73, 84, 90, 118. Pablo met…order the hit. "This is How We Killed Galán." On August 18…the world. Details of Galán's murder from Whitewash, 215. "This Is How We Killed Galán."

  THE FIRST WAR: 1989–1991

  1

  In time…bought or bullied. Gen. Martinez, Delta Force soldiers. Franklin's death on August 18, 1989, is noted in "Escobar: 17 Anos," and Whitewash, 217–18. He had steered…bottle of milk. Uribe, Whitewash, 217. Galán's killing…growing fight. Colombia: Democracy Under Assault, 62. Whitewash, 220. The Archive Chronology. The narcos could see…changed everything. Delta Force soldiers, National Security Decision Directive 221, NSD 18, August 21, 1989. The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 10, 1989, "U.S. Weighs Assassination of Foreign Drug Traffickers," September 6, "Bush Outlines Drug Battle Plan/All U.S. Urged to Join the Fight," September 10, "Wider Role Is Seen for U.S. Troops/Military May Join Latin Drug Patrols." Archive Chronology. In the four months…Colonel Martinez. Gen. Martinez, Archive Chronology, Delta Force soldiers, The Andean Cocaine Industry, 99. It was a position…new kind of help. Gen. Martinez, Capt. Martinez, Gen. Trujillo, Gen. Serrano, Gen. Vargas.

  2

  This section is based on my interviews with six current and former members of Centra Spike, the DEA chronology, Murphy, and Busby. The British mercenary trainers are noted in The Andean Cocaine Industry, 53.

  3

  In the fall…on Galán. Centra Spike soldiers. Medellín's drug traffickers had first been listed in Forbes magazine's annual tally in the July 20, 1982, issue. Pablo was estimated to have $2 billion, while the three Ochoa brothers were thought to have an equal fortune. At that point the magazine had apparentely not heard of Gacha, The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 17, 1989, "Killing of Drug Lord Wins Praise." So the fat man…been prudent. Centra Spike soldiers. The hunt…target for assassination. Alzate was interviewed at length by DEA agents Peña and Carlos Teixeira on April 4, 1994, and summarized in a four-page memo. Downing of the Avianca flight made international news. Details for this story are from The Andean Cocaine Industry, 52. Whitewash, 225–26. The quote from the Extraditables is from Whit
ewash, 222. Ever since…community worldwide. Pentagon sources, Centra Spike soldiers. The attempted Stinger purchase is noted in The Andean Cocaine Industry, 53. Weeks after…so be it. Pentagon sources, Centra Spike soldiers, Parks. Executive Order 12333. The Parks memorandum. The Justice Department decision was reported in The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 17, 1989, "Ruling Sees Wider Boundaries in Drug War." The situation…unscathed. DEA chronology. The Andean Cocaine Industry, 52. El Tiempo, "Escobar: 17 Años." Maza's account of the blast is in Death Beat, 135–36. Duzan records the date of the blast as December 10, but both El Tiempo and the DEA chronology record the date as December 6. The blasts…the United States. Centra Spike soldiers, Delta Force soldiers, Whitewash, 227–28. The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 17, 1989, "Killing of Drug Lord Wins Praise." The Washingon Post, December 18, "Body of Trafficker Dug Up in Colombia/Final Getaway for Cartel's Enforcer." The New York Times, December 17, 1989 "Drug Trafficker's Death Cheers Many Colombians." A curious thing…Escobar was dead. Centra Spike soldiers. Pablo's conversation with his brother and the Extraditables' communiqué are from Whitewash, 223–24.