Former Morelos Governor Leaves Cancun Prison, Faces Trial Under House Arrest

Cancun, Quintana Roo — A judge has ordered the release of former Morelos Governor Sergio Estrada Cajigal from the Cancun Social Reintegration Center, where he had been held for nearly two years, allowing him to continue his criminal proceedings under house arrest.

The former National Action Party (PAN) governor must remain at a residence in Cancun under strict surveillance via an electronic GPS ankle bracelet. He is also prohibited from leaving the state of Quintana Roo while the judicial process continues.

Domestic Violence Accusation

The case stems from an alleged physical assault on November 27, 2021, in Cancun against his then-partner, Carla Alejandra. The investigation is registered under case file FGE/QR/CAN/FEDCMYRG/11/2619/2021.

The accusation gained public attention in 2024 after the alleged victim shared a video on social media, coinciding with Estrada Cajigal’s political campaign as a candidate for a federal deputy seat with the Frente Amplio coalition.

Changes in Pretrial Measures

On May 14, 2024, the former governor was formally charged and initially placed under house arrest for six months, with orders not to approach or contact the accuser. However, ten days later, on May 24, 2024, a judge reversed that decision and ordered pretrial detention, leading to his arrest at home and transfer to a Quintana Roo prison.

In the latest ruling, the judge again modified the measures, allowing Estrada Cajigal to face the process from a Cancun home under permanent electronic monitoring, while maintaining the restriction on approaching or contacting the alleged victim. The investigation and trial continue.

Upon his release, the former governor sent a voice message to family and close associates, saying: “Finally, I’m out. The process continues, but once the famous collegiate court resolves that appeal from April last year, I’ll be practically free from all these accusations.”

He added: “I send a hug to everyone and hope Cuernavaca welcomes me well when I have to go back, because I’m aware of the political mess there; it’s a shame. I send a hug to everyone and I’m keeping an eye on things.”