Federal Prosecutor Appeals Acquittal of Former Quintana Roo Governor Roberto Borge

Mexico City — The Federal Prosecutor’s Office (FGR) has appealed the acquittal of former Quintana Roo Governor Roberto Borge on organized crime charges, according to court records.

On Tuesday, the Collegiate Court of Appeals in Xochitepec, Morelos, registered the appeal under case number 132/2026 for second-instance criminal proceedings.

Borge was acquitted on May 28 by a federal criminal justice center judge in Xochitepec. The FGR in Morelos is now seeking to overturn that decision, a process expected to take several months.

In 2025, the same appeals court upheld the charges against Borge for organized crime, ruling that the FGR’s accusation was valid regarding the auction of 22 state-owned properties to private individuals, causing losses of more than 900 million pesos (approximately $45 million).

The FGR alleged that Borge acted as the leader of a group of officials and associates who allegedly conspired to sell off valuable properties.

That allegation was not sustained in the May 28 trial, leading to Borge’s acquittal. If the current appeal fails, the FGR may seek a direct amparo (writ of protection) as a last resort. Borge’s defense could also file an amparo if the ruling is unfavorable.

According to sources, between June 26 and 27, Borge was released from the Ayala prison in Morelos and placed under house arrest on money laundering charges, a separate case being handled by the FGR in the Nezahualcóyotl federal criminal justice center in the State of Mexico.

The FGR alleges that by squandering public lands, Borge set up shell companies with money of dubious origin.

Borge served as governor of Quintana Roo from 2011 to 2016. He later became a fugitive, was arrested in Panama in summer 2017, and was extradited to Mexico months later. In January 2018, he was admitted to the Federal Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center (Ceferepsi) in Ayala, Morelos.