Overview
- César Duarte was arrested in Chihuahua on December 8 under a May 16, 2024 federal warrant and was transferred that night to the Altiplano prison near Almoloya de Juárez.
- The FGR alleges he used the Mexican financial system to conceal state funds diverted during his governorship, including about 73 million pesos laundered through livestock companies.
- Mexico requested U.S. consent on October 4, 2024 to prosecute a different offense, and the authorization granted on December 4, 2025 enabled the federal action.
- State prosecutions in Chihuahua for peculado and criminal association remain active, and Duarte had been on conditional release with an electronic monitor prior to this detention.
- At Tuesday’s initial hearing, a judge rejected the defense’s bid to nullify the case, ruling the federal money-laundering proceeding is distinct from the ongoing state matter.