In 1976, the Medellín Cartel was established in Medellín, Colombia, becoming one of the most ruthless criminal organizations in history. Led by the Ochoa brothers, José Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha, and Gustavo Gaviria—Pablo Escobar's cousin—the cartel became notorious for its dominance in the global cocaine market. The cartel's violent tactics resulted in the deaths of up to 50,000 people. Escobar, known for his charisma and brutality, commanded a network of hitmen, or sicarios, who targeted law enforcement and officials, offering them a grim choice between cooperation or death.