Ex-Pemex director confined to 'official protection' area of Morelos prison; next hearing Monday

Víctor Rodríguez Padilla, the former director of Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), has been placed in a special area designated for the protection of officials at the Cereso Morelos state prison. He arrived at the facility Tuesday night and is awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for Monday at 8:15 a.m.

Legal experts describe the "Sujeto de protección a funcionarios" area as a relatively comfortable section for new inmates. It provides distinct accommodations from general population cells and ensures prompt medical attention and access to medication. This is particularly relevant for Rodríguez Padilla, who informed the judge that he is undergoing treatment for a malignant prostate tumor.

According to Enrique Paredes Sotelo, former president of the Bar Association, individuals in this protected area remain there until their preliminary hearing. If a judge orders them to stand trial, they are transferred to the Center for Observation and Classification (COC). There, a team of psychologists, criminologists, and social workers will assess the inmate to determine appropriate treatment and their final placement within the prison.

Should the State Attorney General's Office successfully prove Rodríguez Padilla's responsibility for family and vicarious violence, he could eventually be moved into the general prison population. In that scenario, he might share facilities with members of the "Los Linos" cartel and other prominent criminals, including "El Vara," a leader of the "Los Acapulco" gang, and "La Víbora," known for pioneering kidnapping in Mexico.