What happened to Sebastián Marroquín? Details explored about the son of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar

IMPACT x Nightline (Image through Unsplash/@Martin Podsiad)

The cocaine commerce throughout the Nineteen Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties noticed Pablo Escobar, who led Colombia’s Medellín Cartel, keep management over most of its operations. His violent empire introduced concern and demise to many households.

The solely son of Juan Pablo Escobar Henao, who was born in 1977, lived his life in an atmosphere full of wealth however confronted fixed threats from bodyguards and violent assaults that got here from his father’s occupation.

After Pablo Escobar died in a shootout with police on December 2, 1993, his 16-year-old son, along with his mom and sister confronted harmful conditions. The household moved from Colombia to Argentina, the place they used false identities to defend themselves from hazard.

Sebastián Marroquín modified his title from Juan Pablo Escobar and studied structure whereas main a peaceable life away from his father’s felony actions.

He works as an architect, writer and public speaker who lives in Buenos Aires whereas selling peace and telling younger folks about the true penalties of drug-related crimes.

He has tried to make amends for his household’s previous by assembly victims’ households and sharing his story. The case is featured in IMPACT x Nightline: Raised By Killers: Growing Up Escobar which is able to air on May 7, 2026, by way of Hulu and Disney+.

IMPACT x Nightline: Raised By Killers: Growing Up Escobar: Pablo Escobar’s childhood and life in Colombia

Sebastián Marroquín, born Juan Pablo Escobar Henao on February 24, 1977, spent his early years in Medellín throughout the top of his father’s energy. The household lived on a big property referred to as Hacienda Nápoles, which had a non-public zoo with elephants and giraffes.

Trips to Disney World and costly events have been regular, however so have been armed guards and the concern that got here with Pablo Escobar’s enterprise. Young Juan Pablo had few associates as a result of different kids have been scared of his father.

At age 14 he as soon as requested his father on tv about individuals who had died as a result of of cartel violence. His father referred to as him “my 14-year-old pacifist son.” Life blended excessive wealth with fixed hazard.

Bodyguards, generally known as sicarios, even acted as nannies for the boy. These early years formed him, however he later mentioned the violence left a deep mark. After his father’s demise in 1993, the household knew they may not keep in Colombia. Threats pressured them to go away every thing behind and begin over in secret, in accordance to the Guardian.

Escape from Colombia and new life in Argentina

After Pablo Escobar’s demise, 16-year-old Juan Pablo, his mom, sister, and girlfriend left Colombia in an armored automotive following the funeral. They briefly stayed in Mozambique earlier than settling in Argentina.

There, they entered a witness-protection-style program and altered their names. Juan Pablo turned Sebastián Marroquín, and his mom took a brand new identification. The household confronted onerous instances at first.

Even with cash hidden away, they often struggled to purchase primary meals as a result of they could not spend it safely. Sebastián studied onerous and earned a level in structure and industrial design from the University of Palermo in Buenos Aires.

He saved his previous secret for a few years so he might stay usually. “It’s my real name now,” he mentioned about his new identification. “Even my wife calls me Sebastián.” Over time I constructed a steady life in the Palermo Soho space of ​​Buenos Aires.

He married his longtime girlfriend, María Ángeles Sarmiento, and so they had a son named Juan Emile. The transfer gave the household an opportunity to go away the violence behind and stay peacefully, as reported by The Guardian.

Career as an architect and writer

Sebastián Marroquín selected a profession in structure and industrial design after settling in Argentina. He accomplished his research at college and now works as an architect in Buenos Aires.

For years, he saved his identification non-public so shoppers and neighbors wouldn’t join him to Pablo Escobar. He selected to share his life story publicly later in his life. In 2014 he wrote the guide Pablo Escobar: My Father. He shares his childhood reminiscences in the guide which incorporates each his optimistic and difficult experiences.

He has written totally different books and is about to launch a graphic novel in 2025 which visually depicts his life story. The works current a toddler’s perspective of genuine cartel existence which they describe of their writing.

Marroquín needs younger folks to perceive that drug crime leads to nothing besides struggling and demise. He delivers motivational speeches as well as to his writing work.

He needs folks to select nonviolent options whereas sustaining peace. His work as an architect and author permits him to obtain monetary independence and create his personal future with out his father’s affect, as per The Guardian.

watch IMPACT x Nightline: Raised By Killers: Growing Up Escobar on Hulu and Disney+.