Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria is one of the most popular drug lords in history. This is mainly because he shook the foundations of both the American and Colombian societies through violence and drug trafficking. While the Narcos series has done a lot to depict him in his original character, a lot has been left out that may never be shown on the series. That said, the following are five interesting facts about Pablo Escobar that may never be shown on Narcos .
He was once a boy scout and embraced communism
Pablo Escobar known in Colombia, even today, for his kindness and generosity as much as for the violence he unleashed. But what many don’t know is that as a boy, he was a boy scout participating in communal jobs such as cutting his neighbors’ lawns, and he also involved in activities such as camping. He is also rumored to have had a library filled with books by communist leaders such as Mao Tse-tung and Vladimir Lenin.
Pablo Escobar sold fake diplomas
Pablo Escobar is said to have sold fake diplomas together with his cousin Gustavo Gaviria. They then graduated to stealing cars, which was a more lucrative venture. On his education, Pablo was able to get to university but was unable to complete his studies due to economic hardship, considering that he was from a poor background. He consequently dropped out of school to start growing marijuana, a venture he pursued in collaboration with Jorge Ochoa. The two would, later on, become members of the revered Medellin Cartel, the most powerful drug trafficking network of its time. This is as reported by High Snobiety .
Pablo Escobar worked as a bodyguard and kidnapped people for a living
Pablo Escobar was, in the 70s, involved in selling contraband cigarettes and fake lottery tickets together with Oscar Benel Aguirre, a man who ran petty street scams. He also worked as a bodyguard and part time kidnapper, holding people for ransom. The vice is believed to have earned Pablo the capital to enter into cocaine trafficking.
Pablo Escobar’s wife was 13-years-old when they got married
Pablo Escobar is reported to have married his wife Victoria Eugenia Henao Vallejo when she was just 13. Apparently, her family disapproved of the union, but Pablo was not ready to accept this and so they eloped to Palmira. She gave birth to his son Juan Pablo when she was just 15. This is as reported by Insight Crime . Although Pablo was unfaithful throughout their relationship, she was loyal to him until his death in 1993.
Pablo Escobar’s jokes were not so funny
Pablo Escobar is known by many to have killed thousands. However, there is a side of him that may never be seen on Narcos , and that’s the prankster side of him. On one occasion, he is said to have asked “El Gordo,” one of his men, to go and get him a cup of coffee. However, he popped an Alka-Seltzer tablet in his mouth while waiting for his coffee. As soon as he took a sip, foam started forming in his mouth as a result of the Alka-Seltzer. In a dramatic turn of events, he accused “El Gordo” of trying to poison him and ordered his gang of henchmen to tie him up, while a machine gun was pointed at him. The man desperately pleaded for his life for 10 minutes before being told that it was a prank.
The aforementioned are just a few of the many controversial events and facts about Pablo Escobar not likely to be covered by the Narcos series. Narcos Season 2 premiered on Netflix on Sept. 2. Below is a teaser of Narcos Season 3 as posted by Netflix on Youtube.
[Featured Image by Luis Benavides/AP Images]