Overview
- After nearly 12 hours of hearings, Judge Ángela Zamorano Herrera reserved her decision and set Friday, November 21, for the ruling.
- The FGR presented six witnesses — five from Veracruz and one federal — to contend Duarte has not shown sustained good conduct and that a disappearance-forzada matter remains contested.
- Prosecutors cited prison disciplinary records from 2019 and 2020 for prohibited items — four alcohol cans, a cellphone, a modem and a pen with a camera — and described a 2022 hearing where custodians returned Duarte restrained in a chair.
- The disappearance case was canceled in 2024 after a testimony was voided for alleged torture, yet Veracruz authorities appealed, and the FGR argues the issue is not resolved on the merits.
- Duarte’s defense says he has served about 95–96% of his nine-year sentence and qualifies for pre-release; if the request is denied, he remains in Reclusorio Norte until April 15, 2026.