The only surprise in the government’s release of Rafael Caro Quintero’s release from prison is why it waited so long to let him go. Perhaps Caro Quintero had to wait until the right president from the right party got elected. Or maybe he’s sick and needed to leave the palace they called prison for treatment.

At any rate, it’s academic. The article by Elaine Shannon in the Los Angeles Times put it in perspective. Drug lords come, and drug lords go. The only things that change are the names.