Overview
- Federal judge Ángela Zamorano Herrera extended the pre‑release hearing to Nov. 19 at 9:45 a.m. in Mexico City’s Reclusorio Norte.
- Five defense witnesses—penitentiary and federal corrections officials—testified to Duarte’s good conduct and participation in reinsertion programs.
- The FGR, represented by prosecutor Manuel Granados Quiroz, opposed early release and will present six witnesses, including three from Veracruz’s state prosecutor’s office, after scheduling conflicts.
- Testimony detailed disciplinary findings in 2019–2020, including four cans of alcohol, a Blu‑ray device adapted as a modem, and a pen with a camera that led to 15 days without visits, while a 2021 incident drew no sanction.
- The defense argues Duarte has served about 95% of his nine‑year sentence and has no active cases after annulments and prescriptions; if denied, his term ends in April 2026.