Caro Quintero plea talks continue; hearing set for November
Original reporting: Infobae México
What happened
Infobae reported that a Brooklyn judge confirmed plea discussions on October 14, with no agreement reached. The next hearing is November 20 and trial remains scheduled for March 8, 2027.
Reporting and context
Rafael Caro Quintero’s defense and U.S. prosecutors are discussing a possible plea agreement, but no deal had been reached at an October 14 hearing in federal court in Brooklyn, according to Infobae México. The judge confirmed the talks during a hearing that lasted about 15 minutes.
Infobae reported that the next hearing is scheduled for November 20, 2026, while trial remains set to begin March 8, 2027. The outlet said prosecutors had expanded the period covered by one of the alleged offenses, without identifying that count in the article.
Caro Quintero, a founder of the former Guadalajara Cartel, faces charges related to the kidnapping, torture and murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was killed in 1985, as well as drug-trafficking and firearms offenses. He has pleaded not guilty, the report said.
The article described the negotiations as an effort to obtain better prison conditions and avoid trial. It said defense lawyer Elizabeth Macedonio had spoken in March about seeking a resolution without a trial, although authorities denied talks at that time.
Caro Quintero was transferred from Mexico to the United States in February 2025 as part of a group of 29 detainees. Infobae reported that authorities placed him in Camarena’s handcuffs on arrival. The outlet said U.S. prosecutor Joseph Nocella Jr. announced in August 2025 that prosecutors would not seek the death penalty, linking that decision to commitments made to Mexico concerning successive groups of transferred detainees.
The report also described a Justice Department request to Judge Frederick Block for an anonymous, partially sequestered jury. Prosecutors cited possible intimidation or retaliation and the effects of publicity on the case, according to the article.
Authorities are also seeking protections for sensitive evidence under the Classified Information Procedures Act, the outlet reported. The article described proposed redactions and replacement of sensitive material with summaries or statements of fact; it did not establish that the requested protections had been granted.
The reader images accompanying this report are archival source visuals, including a courtroom sketch dated June 17, 2026. They do not depict the October 14 hearing.
Original report: Infobae México