Colombian Drug LordsPablo Emilio Escobar GaviriaPerhaps he is the most important of all Colombian Drug Lords as well as one of the most elusive cocaine traffickers ever. Often referred to as the “World’s Greatest Outlaw” he’s considered the richest and most successful criminal in history. In 1989, Escobar was declared the seventh richest main the world by Forbes Magazine with an estimated fortune of US$9 billion while his Medellin Cartel controlled 80% of the global cocaine market. Three years earlier he even attempted to enter Politics in Colombia and offered to pay off the nation’s debt of US$10 billion at that time. Escobar started building up a Robin Hood-esque image in Medellin by building churches and soccer fields which led the poor sector of society to like him for his good deeds. Communities at large would even fight off the authorities and work as “watch towers” to protect him from harm. On December 2, 1993 Escobar was found by the National Police hiding in a middle class barrio in Medellin. Along with his bodyguard, he engaged the authorities in a gunfight while trying to escape over the rooftops but, eventually he was caught and killed. Many of the city’s poor that somehow benefited from Escobar’s deeds lamented his death. Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia (Chupeta)Leader of the Norte Del Valle Cartel was under the command of Wilber Varela though, at one point they both got into a personal war which led Chupeta to disappear in Brazil where he was eventually captured in August of 2007.Juan Ramirez was among the most powerful Colombian Drug Lords, along with Wilber Varela, Diego Montoya and Pablo Escobar to name a few. Diego Montoya (Don Diego)Don Diego has been involved in drug trafficking since the 1990s when he was linked with Wilber Varela and Ivan Urdinola. He got to be on the second highest bounty spot in the United States’ most wanted list, just behind Osama bin Laden. After associating himself with other powerful capos he got to control 70% of illegal drugs that was delivered to the United States.Federal Authorities accused Montoya of being the leader of the Norte Del Valle Cartel and for being responsible of introducing over a thousand tons of cocaine into the United States. On October 21st, 2009 he was given a 45 years sentence in prison. Daniel Rendon Herrera (Don Mario)After Don Diego being captured by the authorities, Daniel became the leader of Colombian Drug Lords most wanted list. And was the second in charge of the Autodefensas Campesinas de Cordoba y Uraba, a paramilitary group that belonged to the AUC.He was a good friend of Carlos Castaño Gil who was the high commander of the AUC forces and, in his honor Don Mario started his own narco-paramilitary group AGC (Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia). He was captured by the National Police on April 15, 2009. Wilber Varela (Jabon)Wilber was a former Colombian Police agent who became part of the Colombian Drug Lords list and was a member of the Norte Del Valle Cartel. His drug trafficking activities were integral to the cartel which exports multi-ton loads of cocaine to the US and Europe and fought a war with Don Diego for the control of drug routes.Authorities believe that his own men commanded by Carlos Mario Jimenez, rival drug lord and former member of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) who was looking to end a power struggle over different states. After gaining control of over 10 Colombian states, therefore becoming the maximum authority in drug trafficking in the country while.
New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
Do you want to subscribe to our monthly Ezine?
Fill out the details below to receive our fresh insights about Colombia.