Israel Vallarta Cisneros left the maximum security prison of Altiplano, in the State of Mexico.

2005 together with French citizen Florence Cassez at the Las Chinitas ranch, accused of being part of the gang of kidnappers known as Los Zodiacos .

While Cassez was released in 2013 after obtaining an injunction, Vallarta remained in prison facing charges of kidnapping, organized crime, and possession of weapons and cartridges for the exclusive use of the Armed Forces. Yesterday, she was acquitted for her alleged participation in the crime of kidnapping.

He walked out of the federal prison at 9:52 a.m. and immediately reunited with his wife and children. He offered a few statements regarding his confinement, but in general terms, I trust that justice will be served in his favor.

He also announced that a press conference will be held in the coming days with details regarding a complaint that he will strengthen against the people who led to his confinement.

In this regard, the Federal Public Defender's Institute reported that this case documented an exercise of"prolonged injustice."

"The ruling handed down by Judge Mariana Vieyra represents a fundamental step in repairing the damage, as well as a significant precedent in the fight against torture, the use of illicit evidence, and prolonged pretrial detention in Mexico."

"Thank you, I'm in shock," he says after leaving the Altiplano prison.

Minutes after his release from prison, Israel Vallarta declared that he was"in shock" after being notified that he would be free this Friday after nearly 20 years in the Altiplano prison.

"Thank you all for all these years of support, I would like to answer each and every one of you, I can't speak too loudly because I have throat problems (...) I have to say right now, I say thank you, I'm still in shock, I didn't believe last night they would come for me at 9 at night to inform me that they would totally acquit me of each and every one of the alleged crimes they said I had committed."

He also stated that he will seek justice, not only for himself but also for all those who were also involved, because there were people who agreed to lie to get him arrested.

"I knew that the truth would come out sooner or later, years in which they allowed me to be before you today, to be able to exercise my right of reply here, they kept it from me for many years, because many powers were not interested in my freedom because many things with the passing of the days many of you will find out.
I do seek freedom, but I seek justice and I seek not only for myself but for all those who are, because there are people who lent themselves to lie before the judicial authorities, some police officers, personalities."

This was the exit from Vallarta | VIDEO

▶️ #BREAKING | Israel Vallarta leaves the Altiplano prison after almost 20 years in prison: “Thank you because you didn't believe all the hidden truths that past governments made you believe (...) it took me 20 years to exercise my right of reply”

???? Information with @joel_valdezn

— Milenio (@Milenio) August 1, 2025

“We want a public apology”: Mary Sainz

After it was announced that Israel Vallarta Cisneros would be released, his wife, Mary Sainz, reported that they expect a public apology from President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.

“First and foremost, we want President Claudia Sheinbaum herself to issue a public apology. That's part of repairing the damage, one of the most important things.”

And he added: “It is not revenge, but there should be justice, because it was not a person who was locked up and given privileges, it was a person who was locked up for almost 20 years, unjustly without a sentence, violating the presumption of innocence in a high-security Federal center, and thus violating all of his rights of all kinds.

"Israel was also attacked at first; they wanted to wipe it out. There are many reasons, and the truth is that the damage must be repaired."

Mary Sains demands justice | VIDEO

| "We want President Claudia Sheinbaum to issue a public apology": Mary Sainz, activist and wife of Israel Vallarta, after the announcement of his releasehttps://t.co/qbkGZHz16l

— Milenio (@Milenio) August 1, 2025

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| "We fought to uncover the truth": Mary Sainz, activist and wife of Israel Vallarta, after the announcement of his releasehttps://t.co/qbkGZHz16l

— Milenio (@Milenio) August 1, 2025

FGR can still appeal

Judicial sources indicated that Mariana Vieyra Valdez, Third District Judge in Criminal Matters based in Toluca, determined that there is no evidence to demonstrate Israel's full responsibility in the crimes charged against him by the Attorney General's Office (FGR).

Despite the ruling, the Attorney General's Office can still appeal the sentence, but cannot currently stop Israel Vallarta's departure.

For years, Israel Vallarta promoted resources for the review of the precautionary measure, so that he would be allowed to face his trial in freedom.

Last year, the First Collegiate Court of Appeals in Criminal Matters for the Second Circuit ruled that the pretrial detention he had been subjected to for 19 years was justified, meaning he was unable to leave prison.

Sheinbaum asks not to forget that Israel Vallarta was arrested in a setup

After a judge acquitted Israel Vallarta, alleged leader of the kidnapping gang Los Zodiaco, President Claudia Sheinbaum asked not to forget that this man was arrested during a setup by former Secretary of Public Security, Genaro García Luna.

At the morning press conference at the National Palace, the president emphasized that the arrest of Vallarta Cisneros—which took place in December 2005—was carried out irregularly.

"Beyond the investigation, which respects the autonomy of the Prosecutor's Office, we cannot forget how the arrest and television montage conducted by Loret de Mola took place, which was later recognized as a setup, and who staged it? García Luna, currently imprisoned in the United States for drug trafficking."

“We respect the position of the Attorney General’s Office. The truth is that a judge ordered his release, and we cannot forget Felipe Calderón’s six-year term and his war on drugs… This case is worth remembering because, beyond the Attorney General’s investigations, it originated in the arrest, which was very irregular, at least that’s what we could say,” he emphasized.

With information from Rubén Mosso and Gaspar Vela

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