I am replying from memory.

Escobar was a corrupting influence on government with intimidation and cash. The assassination of Galan was a catalyst to move against the well know and notorious head of the Medellin cartel.

The government was under pressure from the US, right wing groups internally, and those loyal to the Cali cartel to move on Escobar. However, he was never arrested but turned himself in. He served time in a prison he designed and was never going to be extradited.

That was really the beginning of the end. He behaved in prison as if he were free, having cartel members brought in and killed. This embarrassed the government and they planned to move him to another prison. He escaped.

While he was on the run, his influence ran dry. He resorted to bombings to terrorize the government to come to terms. This, in turn, caused a coalition called the PEPEs or People Persecuted by Pablo Escobar " (Perseguidos por Pablo Escobar) to set off their own bombs in response to stiffen the resolve of the government. The FARC left wing group may have done one or two as well be I am not certain.

Tracking the actions of Escobar, you see the swagger of a man who feels above the law. He exists outside the political system and used his massive income and violence to force his way. When those things were muted, he faded.

The Accountant's Story is a good book I recall. He is a popular subject.