Organized Crime: Francisco Rafael Arellano Félix (8/22/24)

Beyond The Horizon

Francisco Rafael Arellano Félix, born on October 24, 1949, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, was the eldest of the Arellano Félix brothers who led the notorious Tijuana Cartel. In the early days of the cartel, he played a crucial role in establishing the organization as a dominant force in drug trafficking between Mexico and the United States. Known for his more diplomatic approach compared to his younger, more violent brothers, Francisco Rafael helped forge important alliances and set the foundation for the cartel's operations.
In 1993, he became the first of the Arellano Félix brothers to be arrested, a significant blow to the cartel. He was later extradited to the United States in 2006, where he was convicted of drug trafficking charges. After serving a shortened sentence, he returned to Mexico, where he attempted to live a quieter life.
However, his past caught up with him on October 18, 2013, when he was assassinated at a family party in Cabo San Lucas. The gunman, disguised as a clown, shot Francisco Rafael in the head, a dramatic and symbolic act that highlighted the inescapable violence of the cartel world. His death, whether the result of revenge, internal family conflict, or a message to others, underscored the enduring dangers faced by former cartel members. Francisco Rafael’s life and death reflect the broader story of the Tijuana Cartel's rise, its violent legacy, and the personal toll of a life spent in organized crime.
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