Pablo Escobar, one of the most infamous drug lords in history, made headlines when he escaped from La Catedral, a luxury prison he had designed and built for himself, located on a hill near Medellín. This facility was part of a deal struck with the Colombian government, allowing him to serve time in comfort instead of facing extradition to the United States. Escobar's escape on July 22 was precipitated by mounting pressure from U.S. authorities, who were intensifying efforts to capture him and bring him to justice for his numerous crimes, including drug trafficking, murder, and terrorism.

Escobar's luxurious living conditions starkly contrasted with the violent reputation he had built as the leader of the Medellín Cartel. La Catedral was more akin to a resort than a prison, complete with a Jacuzzi and a soccer field. However, as threats of extradition loomed, Escobar and his associates executed a plan to escape, demonstrating his continued influence and resources despite being incarcerated. This escape launched a nationwide manhunt and escalated violence in Colombia, as rival drug factions vied for power in the wake of that vacuum.

The aftermath of Escobar's escape saw a significant uptick in violence, including targeted killings of police officers, judges, and politicians, all of whom were perceived as threats to his freedom. It also led to greater cooperation between Colombia and the United States in their fight against drug trafficking, with more resources allocated to capture Escobar and dismantle his operations. Escobar remained a fugitive for approximately 16 months before the Colombian National Police ultimately tracked him down and killed him.