Pablo Escobar was a Colombian drug lord and the leader of the Medellín Cartel, which was one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world during the 1980s. He was born on December 1, 1949, and became known for his wealth, influence, and violent tactics in the drug trade, particularly in the production and distribution of cocaine. Escobar's operations led to significant social and political turmoil in Colombia, as he was involved in numerous violent conflicts with law enforcement and rival cartels. He was killed in a shootout with police on December 2, 1993, marking the end of an era in the global drug trade.