César Duarte’s Situation: Overview
The former governor of Chihuahua, César Duarte Jáquez, has been ordered to remain in preventive detention by control judge María Jazmín Ambriz López. This ruling follows new allegations of money laundering and illicit resource operations, as detailed by the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) in Mexico.
Details of the Ruling
The decision to keep Duarte detained stems from a lengthy hearing that spanned over 14 hours, concluding in the early hours of December 10, 2025, at the Almoloya de Juárez Federal Criminal Justice Center. Duarte was initially arrested on December 8 and taken to Altiplano Prison, where he will remain during the ongoing criminal process.
Accusations of Financial Misconduct
The FGR has charged Duarte with the alleged diversion of approximately 96.6 million pesos during his term as governor from 2010 to 2016. Reports claim that 73.9 million pesos of this sum was funneled into the financial system through eight suspicious banking transactions, raising serious suspicions of money laundering.
These funds were allegedly transferred from the state Treasury Secretariat to two companies linked to Duarte: Regional Livestock Union Northern Division and SOFOM Northern Division Financial. The implications of this scheme suggest a deep-seated issue of corruption within his administration.
Evidence and Defense
The accusations are supported by substantial evidence, including 120 test data such as accounting records, bank receipts, and official declarations. Additionally, the FGR asserts that the diverted resources were later funneled to companies associated with Duarte’s inner network, further complicating his defense.
During the initial hearing, Duarte chose not to testify, citing legal privileges. His defense attorney, Carlos Rios, raised issues regarding the validity of the warrant and concerns that key documents were missing from Duarte’s case file.
The Future of Duarte’s Case
As the legal proceedings unfold, the judge confirmed that there are significant procedural risks should Duarte be released prior to the completion of his trial. This resulted in the decision to impose justified preventive detention to ensure he remains in custody throughout the process.
The next hearing to determine whether Duarte will formally be linked to the proceedings is scheduled for December 14 and 15, 2025, which will take place at the same Federal Criminal Justice Center.
A Long Journey to Justice
The warrant for Duarte’s arrest was issued on May 16, 2024, but its execution awaited authorization from the United States Government, as Duarte had previously been extradited. The U.S. approval finally arrived on December 4, 2025, facilitating the activation of these new charges.
Duarte’s case represents not only a critical moment for justice in Chihuahua but also a lens into the broader issues of public corruption that have plagued many in positions of power in Mexico.