Mario Villanueva Madrid, the former governor of Quintana Roo, has initiated an amparo, a legal action in Mexico, to avoid being sent back to the Centro Federal de Rehabilitación Psicosocial (Ceferepsi) in Morelos, where he is to continue serving a 36-year prison sentence. He was convicted for his connections with the Juárez Cartel. The legal move comes amid various previous requests he has made for conditional freedom, which have been denied by the Mexican judiciary.

The judicial records indicate that prior to Alejandro Gertz Manero's departure from his position as the head of the Federal Attorney General's Office (FGR), the office requested a specialized judge in Mexico City to dismiss Villanueva's renewed request for conditional release. This highlights the continued legal challenges he faces in pursuing freedom after a lengthy incarceration that has spurred public and media interest due to the high-profile nature of his case.

Villanueva's situation reflects broader issues within the Mexican justice system, particularly regarding the handling of cases related to organized crime and the treatment of former officials who have been implicated in such activities. With the judge's order for his internment at Ceferepsi scheduled for May 9, 2025, Villanueva's amparo represents both a personal battle against incarceration and a focal point in discussions about the legal protections available to individuals facing serious criminal charges.