Roxana Elizabeth Caro Elenes is one of the four children of Mexican drug trafficker Rafael Caro Quintero and his wife, María Elizabeth Elenes Lerma. Roxana was born on January 17, 1978, to Rafael Caro Quintero and María Elizabeth Elenes Lerma. She is 42 years old and married to Jesús Briseño Gómez España.
Caro Quintero was a key member of the Guadalajara Cartel. Rafael became famous worldwide in the 1980s after he killed DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena.
Department of the Treasury and the DEA. Despite the attention, Roxana Elizabeth Caro Elenes has kept a relatively quiet personal life compared to her brothers. This article explores her life, family connections, and involvement in business operations linked to her father’s financial network.
In this article, we explore Roxana’s life, her family, her relationship with her father, and how her family ties affected her life.
Family Background of Caro Quintero’s Children
Rafael Caro Quintero, once called the “Narco de Narcos,” is a well-known figure in Mexico’s criminal history. With his wife, María Elizabeth Elenes Lerma, he had four children:
Héctor Rafael Caro Elenes (born December 18, 1975)
Roxana Elizabeth Caro Elenes (born January 17, 1978)
Henoch Emilio Caro Elenes (born March 15, 1980)
Mario Yibran Caro Elenes (born June 11, 1983)
According to U.S. government investigations, María Elizabeth Elenes Lerma was a central figure in managing Caro Quintero’s financial operations. She, along with her four children, was identified in 2013 as part of a network of 18 individuals and 15 companies that were allegedly used to launder assets in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Timeline of Roxana Elizabeth Caro Elenes
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1978 | Roxana Elizabeth Caro Elenes is born on January 17 in Culiacán, Sinaloa. |
| 1983–84 | Multiple properties—including condos and lots—were purchased by her father and placed in her name and those of her siblings. |
| 2004 | El Baño de María S. de R.L. de C.V. (beauty products company) is founded. Family members through marriage initially held shares. |
| 2008 | Alongside her brothers Henoch and Mario, she acquires the Casas Blancas property (37 hectares) in Zapopan. |
| 2013 | The U.S. Treasury designates her, her brothers, mother, and sister-in-law under the Kingpin Act. Their assets and business dealings are sanctioned. |
| 2021 | The Treasury removes Roxana, her siblings, and their mother from the OFAC sanctions list. |
| 2025 | Reports indicate Roxana holds a degree in marketing from a university in Jalisco, possibly ITESO, and works in fashion and hospitality with her mother. |
“El Baño María” Company: Money Laundering Connection
Roxana is also linked to a company involved in her father’s money laundering. The company, “El Baño María S. de RL de CV,” made and sold soaps, creams, and beauty products. It was founded in 2004 and used for illegal activities.
According to reports, Martha Briseño Gómez España and Martha Gómez España González, the mother and aunt of Jesús Briseño Gómez España, were shareholders. In 2004, they sold their shares to Denisse Buenrostro Villa, the wife of Héctor Rafael Caro Quintero. Denisse now represents the company legally.
The Role of Roxana Elizabeth Caro Elenes in the Family Network
1. Marriage and Family Business Ties
Roxana Elizabeth Caro Elenes married Jesús Briseño Gómez España, a man whose family also became tied to the business ventures connected to the Caro-Elenes family. One key company was El Baño de María S. de R.L. de C.V., founded in September 2004. This business specialized in soaps, creams, and beauty products.
At the start, shareholders in the company included members of Roxana’s extended family through marriage—Martha Briseño Gómez España and Martha Gómez España González. These relatives eventually left the company in 2004, passing control to Denisse Buenrostro Villa, wife of Roxana’s brother Héctor. Denisse acted as the legal representative of the company, which later appeared on U.S. sanction lists for being connected to money laundering activities.
2. Property and Real Estate
In addition to her business ties, Roxana was also linked to family-owned properties. In 2008, she joined her brothers Henoch and Mario in acquiring the 37-hectare Casas Blancas property in Zapopan, Jalisco. This real estate, along with other holdings, became part of the U.S. government’s scrutiny.
The Caro-Elenes siblings also owned a ranch-style property in Zapopan, known by different names such as El Tigre, Nixticuilt, and La Salitrera. These properties highlighted how the family diversified assets into land development and real estate.
Other Caro-Elenes Siblings and Their Paths
1. Héctor Rafael Caro Elenes
The eldest child, Héctor, is known for his career in equestrian sports. He competed at a professional level, including in the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games in Colombia, where he won gold in team jumping. Héctor also represented Mexico at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Outside of sports, Héctor became tied to companies such as CX Shoes and joint property ventures with his siblings. His wife, Denisse Buenrostro Villa, played an important role in the management of El Baño de María.
2. Henoch Emilio Caro Elenes
Born in 1980, Henoch Emilio also appeared in business and property dealings. He owned commercial premises at the Plaza Real del Valle in Tlajomulco de Zúñiga. Along with Roxana and Mario, he invested in the Casas Blancas property.
3. Mario Yibran Caro Elenes
The youngest, Mario, was born in 1983 and also appeared on the U.S. Treasury list in 2013. Like his siblings, he was linked to family-owned properties and companies identified in investigations.
Businesses and Sanctions
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) placed the Caro-Elenes family under its Kingpin Act sanctions in 2013. This action froze assets and restricted transactions with U.S. companies and banks.
Companies linked to the family included:
ECA Energéticos S.A. de C.V. (service stations)
El Baño de María S. de R.L. de C.V. (beauty products)
Pronto Shoes S.A. de C.V. / CX Shoes (shoe company)
Hacienda Las Limas S.A. de C.V. (resort spa)
These enterprises reflected a mix of industries—ranging from fashion and cosmetics to energy and hospitality. Yet, they were all allegedly used to disguise illegal money flows tied to drug trafficking proceeds.
Conclusion
The story of Roxana Elizabeth Caro Elenes shows how family ties can shape a life’s path. She was born into a household led by one of Mexico’s most infamous drug lords. However, despite her quiet profile, her name still continues to appear in official sanction lists and property investigations.
Moreover, while she may live outside the public spotlight, the lasting legacy of her family ensures that Roxana Elizabeth Caro Elenes will, in fact, remain connected to one of the most talked-about chapters in Mexico’s criminal history.