PRI Leader Freed with Ankle Monitor in Mérida Fraud Case

Mérida, Mexico — Rafael Echazarreta Torres, president of the Municipal Steering Committee of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) in Mérida, has been released after being processed for fraud. His initial hearing, following his arrest on Friday afternoon, took place at the Mérida Center for Oral Justice (CJOM).

Fraud Allegations and Judicial Process

Echazarreta Torres faced charges related to a complaint filed by Horacio De Freitas, who accused the former legislator of defrauding him of more than 12 million pesos. The allegations stem from a business arrangement in which De Freitas allegedly provided funds in exchange for a 40% stake in the company Exportaciones Integrales Mexicanas, a deal that was never finalized.

Despite being formally charged, Echazarreta Torres secured conditional release under the requirement of wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet for the duration of his legal proceedings.

Defendant Maintains Innocence

Following the hearing, the PRI leader briefly addressed the media, asserting his innocence and vowing to present evidence in his defense. “I can affirm with absolute certainty and my head held high that the accusations against me are false,” he stated. “At the appropriate procedural moment, I will present the evidence supporting my case to the court.”

Echazarreta Torres declined to elaborate on the specifics of the financial dispute, citing respect for due process. He also expressed gratitude to his legal team, family, and fellow party members for their support. “I remain committed to the truth, and this legal process will not deter me from defending my ideals,” he added.

Arrest and Investigation

The arrest was carried out by the Yucatán State Investigation Police, who executed a warrant issued by the First Control Court of the First Judicial District of Yucatán. The case is tied to investigation file Norte-57-24-2024.

De Freitas, the complainant, alleged that neither the promised profits from the business venture nor the repayment of his investment materialized, prompting him to file a formal complaint on December 30, 2024.

PRI Leadership Condemns Arrest as Political Persecution

Gaspar Quintal, the state president of the PRI, denounced Echazarreta Torres’s arrest, framing it as politically motivated. “We are witnessing a troubling pattern of repression against those who expose government corruption,” Quintal said. “These tactics resemble those of authoritarian regimes.”

The case has drawn national attention, with PRI leadership accusing the state government, led by the Morena party, of targeting political opponents.