Pablo Escobar and the Creation of “Narco-Football” (part 3)

Escobar tried to coerce politicians to vote against extradition through violence

Pablo Escobar was the largest exporter of Columbian cocaine the U.S. and Europe. He had a lavish lifestyle that consisted of tennis, golf and race cars. As Escobar went around the world, his people at home would hail him as a hero. The drug lord built football pitches in poor neighborhoods and used his wealth to bring Columbian football to world-wide prominence. Soon Columbian players were seen as of higher caliber and made even US gambling news.

• Escobar killed over 500 police and injured over a 1000 in shootouts.
• Argentina’s 0-5 loss was the first and only time Argentina would lose by so much
• After Argentine lawmakers eliminated extradition, Escobar turned himself in

Due to the exploits of Escobar and other Columbian drug lords, there was a major influx of cocaine coming into the U.S. As a result, the street value of cocaine went down tremendously. Drug dealers in the U.S. changed cocaine to a free base form known as “crack.” Because it could be sold in smaller quantities, dealers were able to make more profit. Soon America would have a “crack epidemic” that swept the country. The U.S. government responded by declaring a war on drugs and the extradition of Pablo Escobar.

Escobar’s political ambitions are short-lived

Pursuing a career in politics in order to avoid extradition, Escobar refused to leave Columbian claiming that he and his other drug lord competitors have financed schools, health clinics and sports teams. A fire broke out in a neighborhood and left 700 families in a municipal dump. Escobar built them a new neighborhood, met their economic needs and was looked at as a messiah. The lower classes got Escobar elected into congress and as a result he was granted four years of diplomatic immunity.

Minister of Justice Lara Bonilla made accusations of Escobar’s drug trafficking activity. After bring forth evidence, Escobar was removed from the House of Representatives. Soon Justice Bonilla would be removed from existence. Another politician names Carlos Carman spoke openly in his campaign in support for the U.S. extradition of drug lords and how it would help “clean up” the country. Soon he would be killed as well making Colombian gambling news.

The murders of the two politicians caused the opposite reaction to what Escobar intended. Instead of coercing politicians to stop talking about him, Escobar made them band together more and faced the drug problem as a serious threat. The Columbian President vowed to use all government resources to destroy Escobar’s empires and started to hunt and burn down his cocaine fields and supplies.

“Sooner a grave in Columbia, then a jail in the U.S.” was Escobar’s saying as he attempted to force the President to pass a law against extradition. Escobar’s method would be wanton violence and destruction. Escobar was blowing up everything from buildings to airliners. Major shootouts would occur between Escobar’s men and heavily armed Columbian police. As a result over 500 police were killed and over a 1000 injured. This drug violence wasn’t far removed from football.

The Columbian footballers tried to make a difference through their football

The Columbian national team would start a campaign to qualify for the 1994 World Cup. They would win 26 games and beat opponents like Brazil, Sweden and the U.S. in stellar fashion. Playing with all their heart, they only lost two qualifiers in three years time. Football became a tool for revitalizing Columbia’s self worth as all levels of society felt a comradery and unity. The president toured South American with the football team spreading goodwill.

In their last qualifier against Argentina, the Columbian players had a horrible reception at the airport as they were hurled with insults mostly coming from their associations with drugs. The Columbian team set out change their image through their play. Needing to win by two goals, the Columbians obliged in a hard fought victory. The 0-5 loss was the first and only time Argentina would lose by such a big margin and would result in a standing ovation for the Columbians by Argentina as well as making Argentinian gambling news.

The Columbian national team taught Argentina and others to have a world-wide connection based on their love for a sport. Columbians became favorites to do well in the World Cup. After Brazilian football legend Pele announced the Columbia team as his favorites to win, the Columbian team saw themselves on another level. Escobar maintained his passion for football even while running from authorities.

Escobar would watch football in between breaks in running and would keep his radio with him constantly. Through the continued murders of judges who opposed drug lords and large bribes paid to congressmen, a new constitution was introduce that would eliminate extradition of drug traffickers to the U.S. Acting upon this action, Pablo Escobar turned himself in and went to prison. Escobar was provided with a football pitch in prison.