GUADALAJARA — 1985 · Murder
The Murder of Kiki Camarena
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena was abducted near the U.S. consulate in Guadalajara on 7 February 1985. Mexican pilot Alfredo Zavala Avelar, who worked with the DEA, was abducted the same day. Camarena had helped expose the Guadalajara cartel's huge marijuana plantations. The two men's bodies were found in Michoacán in March 1985; investigations showed they had been killed during interrogation. The case caused serious tension between the U.S. and Mexico, and several cartel leaders were convicted in Mexico. One conviction was overturned on procedural grounds in 2013; the man concerned was handed over to the U.S. in 2025 and proceedings continue.
- Date
- 1985
- Place
- Jalisco, Mexico, Guadalajara, MX
- Category
- Murder
- Case Status
- Under Investigation
- Coordinates
- 20.6700, -103.3500 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 7 February 1985Camarena and pilot Zavala abducted in Guadalajara.
- 5 March 1985Their bodies found in Michoacán.
- 1989Cartel leaders convicted in Mexico.
- August 2013One of the convictions overturned.
- February 2025The wanted cartel leader handed over to the U.S.
Sources
- DEA — Fugitive wanted for murder of federal agent added to FBI Ten Most Wanted dea.gov ↗
- NBC News — Family of slain DEA agent sues cartel nbcnews.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Kiki Camarena en.wikipedia.org ↗
- DEA
- NBC News
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.