Federal Judge Ángela Zamorano denied early release to former Veracruz Governor Javier Duarte, meaning he will remain in prison. Consequently, Duarte must serve out his full nine-year sentence, which was imposed on him for criminal association, embezzlement of Veracruz state funds, and money laundering. The judge determined that the former governor does not meet the legal requirements for early release, which include having no active criminal proceedings against him. It is worth recalling that Duarte still has a pending case for allegedly obstructing an investigation into forced disappearances. Javier Duarte is being held at the Norte prison, located in Mexico City, and his sentence ends in April 2026. Duarte's lawyer, Pablo Campuzano, stated that they will file an appeal. Javier Duarte was arrested on April 15, 2017, in Guatemala and extradited to Mexico on July 17 of the same year.
