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Rafael Caro Quintero — once the most powerful drug lords in Mexico and fugitive since 2013 — has asked for forgiveness for his crimes, according to an interview with Proceso.
Caro Quintero, 63, spent 29 years in prison for the murder in 1985 of DEA agent Enrique Camarena. He gave the interview last Sunday from hiding somewhere in Mexico.
The man was once one of the most powerful drug lords in Mexico, nicknamed “The Prince” or the “Boss of Bosses.” He is wanted by United States officials for the death of an undercover DEA agent.
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“I’m not interested in any venue.” he said. “I’m not interested in any state, or border. Why? I don’t work anymore, simple as that.”
Rather, the fugitive said he wants to dedicate himself to raising cattle.
But judicial investigations want something else. Authorities think Caro Quintero wants to take away shadowed territory from the Sinaloa Cartel. Their leader, Joquin “El Chapo” Guzman is locked away amid an extradition process to the United States.
In the interview, Caro Quintero rejected the accusation and asked for forgiveness.
“I have never discussed the case,” he said. “I didn’t kidnap (the DEA agent), I didn’t torture him and I didn’t kill him. I was at the place, that’s my only participation.”
The drug lord was let free in August 2013 over a technicality. The Supreme Court struck down the ruling and ordered his capture while adding 11 to his original 40-year sentence.
“All I know is I seek peace and I ask forgiveness from Mexican society over the mistakes I made. To the Camarena family, to the DEA, to the US government, I ask for forgiveness.”
The American government is offering USD $5 million as a reward for his capture.
“If I did anything wrong, I’ve already paid for it, but we all deserve a second chance.”
Caro Quintero was one of the bosses of the Guadalajara cartel, with great power in 1980. After its disappearance it gave way to the Sinaloa Cartel led by Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
About El Chapo Guzman was recaptured in January, Quintero said they were “good friends.” He also claimed they saw each other in 2013 when El Chapo was on the run.
“I’m not in a war with anybody,” he said.
In the interview, he said he was against the legalization of marijuana. He claims he foresaw over a decade ago the coming open war between the drug cartels. He said in this war, old rules like “respect for families and innocent people” are forgotten.
He also said the legalization of marijuana isn’t the way, claiming he planted it but never smoke it. The solution, he said with a sarcastic tone, is to “go hands on with it,” and “the government knows how.”
Source: Proceso
