Rafael Caro Quintero, known as the 'Narco of narcos' and founder of the Guadalajara Cartel, has been extradited to the United States after 40 years to face justice for the murder of DEA agent Camarena. Caro Quintero is part of a group of 29 Mexican individuals sent to face charges in the United States, including the Treviño Morales brothers, leaders of Los Zetas.
Caro Quintero's legal troubles date back to 1985, when he was arrested for the murder of Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena. At that time, he attempted to negotiate with the Mexican government by offering to pay the country's external debt in exchange for immunity to continue his drug trafficking activities.
In an initial arrest in Costa Rica, Caro Quintero proposed settling the external debt to the administration of Miguel de la Madrid. Years later, during the presidency of Carlos Salinas de Gortari, he again offered to pay off the debt, which at that time amounted to 80 billion dollars.
Carmen Salinas, the late actress known for her role in Mexican cinema, revealed in a video in July 2022 that Caro Quintero proposed to pay the external debt thinking that she was related to President Salinas de Gortari, a situation that occurred when he visited him in the Reclusorio Norte.
After spending 28 years in prison and being released in 2013, Caro Quintero was a fugitive until his recapture in July 2022. Now, he will finally face U.S. justice for his drug-related crimes.
