Gustavo Pardo Ariza was a Colombian Army Brigadier General who led the army's 4th Brigade located in Medellín. His second-in-command was Lieutenant Dominguez.
Despite President César Gaviria having reservations due to Ariza's Medellín origin, Defense Minister Zaragoza convinced the President to send Ariza to attack the La Catedral private prison housing Medellín cartel leader Pablo Escobar. However Ariza only received the order to surround the prison and not to arrest Escobar. This prompted Vice Minister of Justice Eduardo Sandoval to personally enter the prison and arrest Escobar. However, Escobar held Sandoval hostage. Gaviria later had Ariza relieved of command, and ordered the Colombian Army Special Forces to arrest Escobar as well as, rescue Sandoval.