On December 2, 1993, Pablo Escobar, Colombia's notorious drug lord and leader of the Medellín Cartel, was killed in Medellín during a raid by Colombian authorities. After escaping from his self-built luxury prison, La Catedral, in 1992, Escobar evaded arrest for 16 months despite serious efforts by the government and international agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to capture him.
Tracked to a safe house in a middle-class neighbourhood, Escobar attempted to flee to the rooftop with his bodyguard during the raid. During the shootout that ensued, Escobar was fatally shot. That was how he died.
While an official report credited the Search Bloc, a special Colombian police unit, with his death, others, including his family, claim Escobar took his own life to avoid capture, in line with his earlier vow to never be imprisoned. His death marked the end of an era of brutal narcoterrorism and defiant drug dealing.
Other key events on this day
1. The death toll from Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines, was confirmed to be over 5,700 people - 2013
2. Pope Francis and Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting at the Vatican - 2013
3. Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujeira, Sharjah and Umm ak Qiwain formed United Arab Emirates - 1971
4. Napoleon crowned emperor - 1804
5. The First artificial heart transplant took place - 1982
6. Gas leak from a Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India, spread over a populated area and resulted in 15,000 to 20,000 deaths - 1984.
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