Víctor Rodríguez, former director of Pemex, arrested for family violence

Vice Admiral Manuel Roberto Farías Laguna, accused of leading a huachicol network from the Navy, challenged the judicial decision that denied him protection. His defense presented an appeal for review before a Collegiate Court in Criminal Matters.

The court will define whether to admit or reject the appeal. If admitted, he will review the sentence of Judge Jorge Adrián Cruz Flores, who on June 22 denied federal protection. If he ratifies it, the Vice Admiral will continue to be held in the Altiplano prison.

Farías Laguna requested protection in October 2025, after Judge Mario Martínez Elizondo linked him to proceedings for organized crime and fuel trafficking. The FGR accuses him of leading an organization that operated the disembarkation of at least 31 vessels with fiscal huachicol at the customs of Altamira and Tampico, Tamaulipas.

Details of the accusation

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, a group of sailors and customs officials, led by brothers Manuel Roberto and Fernando Farías Laguna, would have coordinated the entry of stolen fuel during the six-year term of former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The network operated with complicity within the same institution.

The resolution of the Collegiate Court will be key for the legal future of the accused. The case shows the challenges in the fight against huachicol when it involves senior Navy commanders.

Entry to the Atlacholoaya prison

Víctor Rodríguez Padilla, former director of Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), was admitted to the Observation and Classification Center of the Atlacholoaya prison after his arrest at the Benito Juárez mayor’s office in Mexico City. He is accused of family and vicarious violence, for attacking his wife in the presence of their youngest daughter.

During his first morning in the protection area for officials, he expressed dissatisfaction because they did not bring him fruit. The prison rule is that fruit is served only to those who are on a sick diet. Later they gave him pieces of melon, and other prisoners indicated that he probably paid for this benefit, a common practice in that area.

Rodríguez occupies a single cell, wears a beige uniform and plain tennis shoes. So far he has not received visits from family or friends. He also did not have companions at the accusation formulation hearing last Wednesday. Judge Consuelo Adriana Carrera Ortiz asked twice if there was any family member present, without receiving a response.

In that same hearing, the former official reported that he is undergoing treatment for a malignant tumor in the prostate. The judge ordered immediate medical attention.

“I am going to order that the corresponding letter be sent to the director of the Social Reintegration Center so that they can immediately provide medical attention and they must inform me within 24 hours,” said the judge.

Rodríguez tried to detail his medication, but the judge interrupted him: “I cannot order in this office that you be given these medications, because I am not a doctor; however, a doctor will determine if it is pertinent for you to take these medications.” Complaints have been registered in the prison about lack of medication.

Three people deprived of liberty escaped from the Social Reintegration Center (Cereso) Number 2, in Sonora. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, July 11, and triggered a security operation in the area.

The absence of the inmates was detected around 5:30 a.m. during the roll call. The prison is located at kilometer 21 of state highway 100, on the Hermosillo-Bahía de Kino route.

Search operation

Corporations from the three levels of government reinforced surveillance in the area. Elements of the State Public Security Police, the Ministerial Criminal Investigation Agency (AMIC), the National Guard and the Mexican Army guard the main and rear entrances. They also carry out tracking tours in the surrounding area.

The Secretary of Public Security of Sonora confirmed the evasion through a statement. He noted that the State Penitentiary System immediately activated security protocols.

Investigations in progress

All authorities participate in the actions to recapture the fugitives. At the same time, investigations are being carried out to determine how the escape occurred. So far, the identity of the escapees and the exact circumstances of the escape have not been revealed.

The agency indicated that it will continue to report on the progress of the operation and the investigations.