Mexican Drug Lord Apologizes For Death Of DEA Agent

By Mónica Ortiz Uribe
July 25, 2016

One of Mexico's top drug lords has apologized to the U.S. government for the 1985 murder of a DEA agent, but denies having played a role in his death. 

Rafael Caro Quintero apologized on camera in an exclusive interview broadcast Monday by the Mexican news magazine "Proceso". He led one of Mexico's first transnational drug cartels in the 1980s and is currently wanted by Mexican authorities. He spoke on the condition that his location not be revealed.

In the interview, Caro Quintero tells a reporter that he was not involved in the kidnapping and murder of DEA agent Kiki Camarena. He was convicted of the crime by a Mexican court and served 28 years in prison before being released on a legal technicality in 2013.

Still Caro Quintero apologizes for Camarena's death.

"I ask the U.S. government for forgiveness and also to Mr. Camarena's family," he said. "If I committed some crime against Mr. Camarena, I ask for forgiveness."

He goes on to say that his drug trafficking days are over and he only wishes to live out the rest of his life in peace. Earlier this month, the attorney general of the northern border state of Chihuahua said government intelligence showed Caro Quintero was attempting to take control of the smuggling route south of El Paso, Texas.

Mike Vigil, a former chief of international operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, told the Associated Press  he was skeptical of Caro Quintero's claims. 

The U.S. government is currently offering a reward of $5 million for Caro Quintero's recapture.