On June 18, 2026, the First Collegiate Court of Appeal in the State of Mexico unanimously upheld the acquittal of Israel Vallarta Cisneros, a man who spent almost two decades behind bars accused of kidnapping and leading the notorious criminal group known as “Los Zodiaco.”

Vallarta’s case has been one of Mexico’s most controversial judicial episodes. Arrested in December 2005 alongside his then-girlfriend, French national Florence Cassez, Vallarta was accused of orchestrating kidnappings. The arrest was broadcast live on television, but weeks later, it emerged that the authorities had staged the event, sparking a media firestorm and diplomatic tensions between Mexico and France.

Despite the controversy, Vallarta remained imprisoned without a formal sentence until August 1, 2025, when a judge in the State of Mexico declared him innocent and ordered his release from the Altiplano prison. His freedom came after nearly 20 years of incarceration without a definitive conviction.

The Federal Prosecutor’s Office (FGR) challenged the acquittal, arguing that kidnapping is a serious crime and that the victims’ rights should not be overlooked. However, the appellate court found insufficient evidence to prove Vallarta’s guilt, reaffirming the earlier ruling in his favor.

Reflecting on his release, Vallarta said, “I always knew I was innocent, and that kept me going. The hope that one day justice would be served, that the truth would be heard, not lies.”

This case also highlights broader issues within Mexico’s justice system, including allegations of torture and misconduct by officials. In 2021, former high-ranking officer Luis Cárdenas Palomino—linked to ex-Secretary of Security Genaro García Luna, who is currently imprisoned in the U.S. on drug trafficking charges—was arrested on suspicion of torturing suspects connected to Vallarta’s case.

For migrants and residents in Mexico, Vallarta’s story underscores the importance of due process and human rights protections in a justice system often criticized for its flaws. It also reminds us of the complex interplay between media, politics, and law enforcement in shaping public perception and legal outcomes.