Pablo Escobar
I was inspired to write a song about Pablo Escobar after reading Mark Bowden’s excellent book, ‘Killing Pablo: The World’s Greatest Outlaw’, published in 2001. (Also a TV documentary by Wild Eyes Productions for The History Channel in 2002 titled, ’The True Story Of Killing Pablo’ featuring Bowden.) Both detail efforts of the United States and Colombian governments to stop the illegal activities of and his subordinates.
Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria (December 1, 1949 – December 2, 1993) was a Colombian drug boss of one of the most powerful criminal organizations ever assembled. During the height of his power in the 1980’s, he controlled a vast empire that covered the globe. He made billions of dollars, ordered the murder of hundreds if not thousands of people, and ruled over a personal empire of mansions, airplanes, a private zoo and even his own army of soldiers and hardened criminals.
Escobar had a way of dealing with his enemies: he called it “plata o plomo,” literally, silver or lead. Usually, if a politician, judge or policeman got in his way, he would first attempt to bribe them, and if that didn’t work, he would order them killed, occasionally including their family in the hit. The exact number of honest men and women killed by Escobar is unknown, but it definitely goes well into the hundreds and perhaps into thousands. He was shot by police in 1993 after escaping from prison having kept one step of the authorities for some years. Controversy still reigns over whether he was killed by the CIA (or some other intelligence agency), Colombian police or army, or committed suicide. What is undeniable is that he escaped capture on numerous occasions, usually due to informants or traitors tipping him off.
The story is long and complex (hence the need for a whole book to tell it) and my song simply attempts to capture the essence. The gangster problem, though now reduced to some extent in Colombia, still ravages Central America and shows no sign of abating. The song’s title says it all – that guns, drugs and money are inextricably linked, not only in the producing countries but all along the supply trail and spread out across the world wherever cocaine and similar products are used. I don’t know the answer – though decriminalisation is unlikely to be workable in my opinion for numerous reasons, not least of all the message it would send out that hard drugs are officially approved of. Criminal gangs would still want a piece of the action, and on the streets dealers will continue to operate. Of course, the ‘war’ against drugs is never going to be easy and can’t be won but, as with action to enforce traffic regulations (for example), is one I see no alternative to. There are, I believe, no quick or easy answers, frustrating as that may be for the authorities and public alike; all we can do is reduce the activities of criminals such as Pablo Escobar to a minimum. In the end, the main reason for the illegal drug trade is people’s willingness to pay large sums for them – a case of supply and demand – and that shows no sign of diminishing.
1. Guns and drugs and money, what a lethal recipe,
That elevates a poor young boy,
And drags a nation to its knees.
Pablo Escobar, so the stories tell,
Legendary leader of the Medellin cartel.
2. Guns and drugs and money, even the CIA,
Could not stem the rising tide, while the rich el gringos pay.
And Pablo Escobar, like Robin Hood of old,
Applauded by the people in his fortresses of gold.
3. Guns and drugs and money, now everyone’s for sale,
Bribery and corruption, all along the cocaine trail.
And Pablo Escobar, seems like he never cared,
Has cops and judges taken out, paid off or running scared.
4. Guns and drugs and money, is nowhere safe to go?
It’s warfare on the city streets from Peru to Mexico.
But Pablo Escobar, escapes a thousand times,
Till on the run, a sniper’s gun, cut short his life of crime.
5. Of guns and drugs and money, guns and drugs and money.
Guns and drugs and money, my friends.
Where will it ever end?