OUTRAGE

U.S.: Release of Caro Quintero ‘Troubling’

Convicted in 1985 death of DEA agent.

U.S. officials on Saturday strongly objected to the release of Mexican drug kingpin Rafael Caro Quintero, who was convicted in the 1985 murder of a DEA agent. In a statement, the U.S. Department of Justice called the Mexican court’s decisions “deeply troubling” and said they are “extremely disappointed with this result.” Caro Quintero, 60, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for ordering the kidnapping and killing of DEA agent Enrique Camarena, but a Mexican federal court ordered Caro Quintero’s release last week under the grounds that he had been improperly tried in federal court. Mexican authorities have not released the full decision by the three-judge panel, but some consider it a slap in the face to U.S.-Mexico cooperation.