Justice for Kiki: Trump's Foreign Terrorist Designation Brings Hope to Families
After 40 years of waiting, the family of slain DEA agent Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena finds hope in President Trump’s designation of Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
For nearly four decades, the family of Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena has lived with the pain of his brutal murder by the Guadalajara Cartel in 1985. Kiki, a dedicated DEA agent, was kidnapped, tortured, and killed, leaving behind a legacy of service and sacrifice. His wife, Geneva ‘Mika’ Camarena, along with their family, has fought tirelessly for justice, a quest that seemed elusive until recent actions by President Trump brought new hope.
In a significant move on his first day back in office, President Trump issued an executive order designating Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. This classification not only acknowledges the severe impact of these groups on American lives but also opens legal avenues for families like the Camarenas to seek justice. The designation helps cut off financial support to the cartels, crippling their operations and aiding in the pursuit of legal accountability.
The turning point came when Rafael Caro Quintero, one of the masterminds behind Kiki’s murder, was captured in Mexico in July 2022 and subsequently extradited to the United States. Following his extradition, the Camarena family filed a lawsuit against Quintero, marking a significant step forward in their long journey for justice.
Mika Camarena expressed gratitude for President Trump’s support and his commitment to combating cartel violence. She highlighted the broader implications of the terrorist designation, suggesting that it paves the way for other families affected by cartel brutality to seek justice. However, she also called for the expansion of the foreign terrorist designation list to include other notorious cartels like Juárez and La Línea, responsible for the 2019 massacre of nine American citizens in LaMora, Mexico.
As the Camarena family continues their fight, they remain hopeful that President Trump’s administration will take further action to protect Americans and bring justice to victims of cartel violence. Mika’s determination to honor her husband’s legacy and ensure that no family suffers in vain underscores the ongoing battle against the ruthless operations of Mexican cartels.