The former general director of Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), Víctor Rodríguez Padilla, left the Social Reintegration Center of Atlacholoaya, Morelos, this Tuesday, after a judge modified the precautionary measure that kept the former official in preventive detention for an accusation of family violence.

Rodríguez Padilla left the prison without offering statements to the media who were outside the penitentiary center and will continue to face the legal process in freedom, although with restrictions imposed by the judicial authority.

Judge changes precautionary measure and orders his release

Judge Consuelo Adriana Correa Ortiz determined to withdraw the justified preventive detention and allowed the former official to carry out his process outside of prison while the investigations for the crime of family violence continue.

Rodríguez Padilla left the prison around 12:50 p.m. (local time) after completing the corresponding procedures and presenting the freedom documentation in one of the security filters of the penitentiary center.

According to reports, the former director of Pemex left the facilities with his belongings in a plastic bag and later boarded a truck that was waiting for him outside.

Former director of Pemex will not be able to approach the victim

Although he will remain free, the judicial resolution establishes various protection measures to guarantee the safety of the victim during the development of the process.

Among the restrictions imposed is the prohibition of approaching or communicating with his wife, María Felicia Jiménez, either directly, through telephone calls, social networks or through third parties.

The measure also includes the son of the former official, with the aim of avoiding any situation that could affect his integrity.

In addition, Rodríguez Padilla must remain at an address registered in Mexico City, he will not be able to leave the country, he will have to make a monthly periodic signature before authorities in Morelos and he must undergo psychological treatment.

Defense confirms change of precautionary measure

The lawyer of the former director of Pemex, Víctor Solís, confirmed that the judicial authority authorized the change of precautionary measure and the departure of the former official from the penitentiary center.

“His change of precautionary measure and his freedom have already been decreed,” the defender declared before the media.

The defense argued during the hearing that Rodríguez Padilla has a fixed address and conditions that guarantee his permanence during the process.

Victim granted forgiveness, but investigation continues

During the previous hearing, the judicial authority reported that the wife of the former official presented a brief to the Attorney General's Office of the State of Morelos in which she expressed her decision to grant him forgiveness and not continue with the complaint.

However, the legal procedure will continue because the crime of family violence is considered mandatory persecution by the authorities, so the investigation cannot be stopped solely due to the victim's decision.

The judge also pointed out that it will be necessary to verify that the complainant's decision was made freely and without external pressure.

Victim's hearing was rescheduled

This Tuesday's hearing did not have the presence of María Felicia Jiménez. His legal team reported that he faces problems related to his mental health status and strong media exposure that prevented him from attending court in person.

Given this situation, the judge decided to schedule a new procedure so that the complainant can appear and directly confirm her position before the judicial authority.

The objective will be to ensure that your decision to grant forgiveness was not the result of pressure or circumstances beyond your control.

Case began after dissemination of videos on social networks

The process against Víctor Rodríguez Padilla began after videos circulated on social networks in which the former official is allegedly seen physically attacking his wife inside a home.

After the material was disseminated, the victim filed a complaint in which she indicated that the attacks had occurred since 2022.

Rodríguez Padilla was arrested in Mexico City and transferred to the state of Morelos, where he remained deprived of liberty until the precautionary measure was modified.

Career of Víctor Rodríguez Padilla at Pemex

Víctor Rodríguez Padilla was in charge of Pemex between October 2024 and May of this year.

President Claudia Sheinbaum had considered him to occupy another position within the Ministry of Energy; However, the appointment did not materialize after the complaint against him was made public.

Now, the former official will continue his criminal process at liberty while the judicial proceedings and the review of the evidence presented by both parties progress.