Part 6/10:
Conversely, Escobar’s climb to dominance stemmed from a different approach. He capitalized on the burgeoning cocaine market, leveraging violence and public relations to create a feared but respected empire. Escobar’s dealings allowed him to become one of the wealthiest men in the world, while cementing his status as a mastermind in the cocaine trade.
The Scale of Brutality
Despite their shared penchant for violence and intimidation, Escobar’s reign witnessed a brutality that surpassed that of El Chapo. Under Escobar, an estimated 4,000 people died as a result of his operations, including politicians, police, and civilians. His notoriety was such that he was willing to orchestrate bombings and assassinations, exemplifying a larger-scale war on the authorities and rivals alike.