The former governor of Veracruz, Javier Duarte de Ochoa, has been exempted from the trial for forced disappearance against him, after a judge determined the dismissal of the criminal case. The hearing took place remotely in a criminal court in Pacho Viejo, where it was decided that the criminal case would not proceed. So far, the Attorney General's Office of the State of Veracruz has not made any statement regarding this resolution.
Javier Duarte de Ochoa remains detained in Mexico City since 2017 for the crimes of organized crime and money laundering. Despite having a sentence of 9 years that ends in 2026, which could lead to his release. Groups searching for missing persons have demanded that he be charged and convicted for forced disappearance, pointing to the existence of a police structure during his term dedicated to this practice.
In November 2022, Duarte was finally linked to the process for forced disappearance in the case of former police officer David Lara Cruz, last seen during examinations in police facilities in 2016. The recent dismissal ends the case against Duarte for these disappearances, although the Attorney's Office could still challenge the judicial decision.
It has been suggested that this situation could pave the way for an early release of Duarte due to the remaining time of his sentence. So far, the Attorney General's Office of the State of Veracruz has not commented on this, leaving the possibility of a turn in this case up in the air.
