Ep 5. Escobar Goes to War

In the fifth episode of Narco Wars season 1, viewers are taken back to the late 1980s when Pablo Escobar, the infamous drug lord, decided to go to war against the Colombian government. The episode focuses on the rise of Escobar's power and how he used his criminal empire to take on the state.

The episode starts with a brief history of the cocaine trade in Colombia and how it shifted from a small-time business to a multi-billion dollar industry. The narrative then shifts to Escobar, who had become the biggest player in the cocaine trade by the late 80s. At this point, he was making millions of dollars every day and had a network of other drug traffickers working for him.

The Colombian government, however, was determined to stop him. They had enacted new laws that allowed them to extradite drug traffickers to the US, and they were actively working with the American authorities to take down the cartels. Escobar saw this as a direct threat to his business, and he decided to fight back.

The episode covers the key events that marked the start of the war between Escobar and the government. This included the bombing of the DAS building in Bogotá in 1989, which killed dozens of people and marked a major escalation in the violence. The episode also covers the manhunt for Escobar, which involved both the Colombian police and the American DEA.

Throughout the episode, viewers get a glimpse into the tactics used by both sides. On one hand, Escobar used his wealth and influence to bribe officials and intimidate rivals. He also had a team of hitmen that he used to take out anyone who posed a threat to his empire. On the other hand, the government used military force to try and take down Escobar and his allies. This included bombing their hideouts and engaging in shootouts with their armed guards.

The episode is full of tension and suspense as viewers are shown the high-stakes game between Escobar and the authorities. It also provides a fascinating insight into the mindset and motivations of the people involved in the conflict. Escobar, for example, believed that he was fighting a just cause and saw himself as a Robin Hood figure who was helping the poor. Others, however, saw him as a ruthless criminal who was causing harm to society.

Overall, Escobar Goes to War is a gripping episode that showcases the brutal reality of the drug war in Colombia. It highlights the dangerous and violent world of drug trafficking and the devastating impact it has on the people caught up in it. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of letting criminal empires gain too much power.