Monday, Feb. 01, 1993

Back to The Barricades

WHAT HE WANTS, APPARENTLY, IS RESPECT. IN HIDing since last July when he escaped from his comfy cell in a prison at Envigado, Medellin drug boss Pablo Escobar has been trying to negotiate a conditional surrender. Colombian President Cesar Gaviria Trujillo has said no, choosing instead, with the U.S., to place more than $3 million in bounties on Escobar's head and stepping up police pressure. Last week Escobar fired back, announcing that he would set up a private army, the Antioquia Rebel Movement, to counter the "barbaric methods" of special antinarcotics police forces. The government dismissed the threat as an attempt by Escobar to portray himself as a political -- rather than a criminal -- outlaw, another ploy to cut a deal. The continued standoff is leading to a new wave of violence. Late last week two car bombs exploded in Bogota, injuring about 20 people. Police are blaming Escobar and say it's a warning that things will get worse.