MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican federal authorities have taken former Chihuahua Governor César Duarte into custody as they prepare to charge him with laundering money that was allegedly diverted from state funds during his time in office, according to a statement from the Attorney General's Office issued on Monday.
Duarte, who was identified only as “César N” in accordance with regulations to protect the identity of the accused, was extradited from the United States three years ago to face charges related to embezzlement and has been under house arrest since June 2024. His legal representative, Juan Carlos Mendoza Luján, informed El Heraldo de Chihuahua that Duarte's detention might be unlawful and that they are still gathering information related to his case.
Attorney General Ernestina Godoy confirmed through a statement posted on social media platform X that a suspect had been detained for alleged involvement in laundering illicit funds. A federal agent, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak publicly, confirmed that the arrested individual is indeed César Duarte.
César Duarte served as the governor of Chihuahua from 2010 to 2016. During his administration, he allegedly embezzled nearly $5 million from state funds. In 2016, Duarte traveled to the United States with his family under the pretext of seeking medical treatment for injuries sustained in a helicopter crash. Following his detention by U.S. authorities, he was returned to Mexico in 2022.
The legal troubles for Duarte escalated in October 2024 when Mexican authorities sought approval from the United States to prosecute him for money laundering, a charge that differs from the embezzlement allegations he faced upon extradition. This request was granted last week, paving the way for his recent detention.
Duarte's case has garnered significant attention due to the alleged misuse of public funds during his governance, and the ongoing legal proceedings highlight ongoing issues of corruption within Mexican politics. As Duarte's trial progresses, it remains to be seen how the new money laundering charges will impact the already complex legal landscape surrounding his tenure as governor.
