Roberto Escobar
The little bear who kept the cartel's books.
via Wikipedia: Roberto Escobar · see source
Roberto de Jesús Escobar Gaviria (born January 13, 1947), nicknamed El Osito ("little bear" or "teddy bear"), is the brother of deceased drug kingpin Pablo Escobar and the former accountant and co-founder of the Medellín Cartel, which was responsible for up to 80 percent of the cocaine smuggled into the United States. In his early years he was active as a champion cyclist in Colombia's burgeoning cycling scene. He obtained third place in the team event of the National Cycling Championship of Colombia and 37 victories in a single year, becoming second place as athlete of the year of the department of Antioquia, surpassed by Martin Emilio "Cochise" Rodriguez. He also coached the Colombian cycling team in international competitions.
Quick Facts
- Birth name
- Roberto de Jesús Escobar Gaviria
- Born
- 13 January 1947
- Birthplace
- Rionegro, Colombia
- Citizenship
- Colombia
- Conviction status
- Released in 2006
- Spouse
- 2 including; Claudia Azcárraga
- Children
- 5 including:
- Nicolás Escobar
- José Roberto Escobar
- Joseph Escobar Azcárraga
- Conviction
- Drug trafficking and smuggling
Lore & Background
Roberto Escobar's nickname El Osito came from a dramatic moment during a cycling race. As he led a caravan into Medellín, a downpour turned the uncovered highway into a river of mud. The tires of his bicycle sent mud to his face until it was completely covered, exposing only his eyes. When he reached the finish line, the radio journalist broadcasting the stage said: 'Ahí llega Roberto Escobar Gaviria, que más bien parece un osito' ('Here comes Roberto Escobar Gaviria, who looks more like a little bear/teddy bear').
For his part in the operations of the Medellín Cartel, Roberto succeeded his cousin Gustavo Gaviria after he was imprisoned in 1991. He escaped with his brother in July 1992 but surrendered to authorities a year later. On December 18, 1993, while still in prison, he was blinded in one eye by a letter bomb sent by Los Pepes. The prison bombing also caused him to suffer partial deafness for life, losing approximately 60% of his hearing.
After more than 10 years, Escobar was released in 2006. In the 2009 book, The Accountant's Story, Roberto relates his story as head accountant of the cartel, including that the cartel lost billions of dollars eaten by rats or damaged by water in storage, and spent up to $2,500 per month purchasing rubber bands to hold stacks of money together.
Reader's Guide
He was the brother of Pablo Escobar, the former accountant and co-founder of the Medellín Cartel, and that he was imprisoned, escaped, surrendered, and was released after more than 10 years in 2006.
Did You Know?
- The Medellín Cartel spent up to $2,500 per month on rubber bands to hold stacks of money together, according to Roberto's book.
- In 2019, Roberto offered Elon Musk a $100 million settlement over a flamethrower design dispute, threatening to become CEO of Tesla through the legal system.
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