Israel Vallarta identifies his attackers after being released: "I got the message."

After nearly two decades in prison without sentencing , Israel Vallarta was released from El Altiplano prison on August 1, 2025. Upon his release, he claimed to have recognized two of the men who beat him during his 2005 detention , which he interpreted as a direct message. The scene, which took place in front of the media, revives the shadows of the controversial kidnapping case involving Vallarta and his then-partner, Florence Cassez .

Israel Vallarta was accused in 2005 of leading the kidnapping gang known as "Los Zodiaco" and of possessing weapons exclusively for the Army . However, he never received a sentence and spent nearly 20 years in pretrial detention. The case was marked by the scandalous media sting orchestrated by Genaro García Luna , then head of the Federal Investigation Agency (AFI), who is now convicted of drug trafficking in the United States.

Upon leaving the prison, Vallarta was greeted by family, media, and supporters. During a brief conversation with the press, he said:

“ I knew the truth was going to prevail .”

He also promised that more details about his detention would come to light , alluding to the abuses committed during his capture and subsequent trial.

In a video released by the YouTube channel Noticias con Meme Yamel , Israel Vallarta recounted a disturbing episode he experienced upon leaving prison:

“ Two people approached me… one with tattoos on his arms and another … They were the ones who really got me back then.”

He said he doesn't remember their names, but he recognized their faces perfectly , and he didn't hesitate to greet them:

“I said 'hello.' I didn't want to put on a show. There's a time for everything.”

The episode has raised concerns among those who have followed the case, as it reveals that some of the actors involved in the 2005 plot may still be active or present in the country's public or institutional life .

Despite the tension of the moment, Israel Vallarta appeared calm and thoughtful:

“ Yes, I understood the message , but they realized that I am not scared.”

He added that although he thought about confronting the two men directly, he preferred to act intelligently:

“ It’s not smart to poke a hornet’s nest. You have to be smart .”

These statements open a new phase in his story, one that seems far from over, especially considering the possible revelations about the operation that led to his imprisonment , the people involved, and the interests that could have influenced his arrest.

The Israel Vallarta case has been one of the most emblematic of the abuses of the Mexican judicial system , the arrests made without conclusive evidence , and the use of television montages to legitimize security operations .

Despite the passage of time, neither García Luna nor other officials directly involved in the fabrication of the case have been held accountable before Mexican justice for this specific action. Vallarta's release reopens the debate on arbitrary detentions , the presumption of innocence , and media manipulation of judicial cases .

Israel Vallarta's release does not mean the closure of the case. On the contrary, it places the structural flaws of the Mexican justice system and the scars left by detentions without sentencing at the center of the debate. The appearance of two of his alleged attackers on the day of his release adds another layer of tension and uncertainty to his story.

While Vallarta promises to reveal more information, Mexican society is closely watching the outcome of a case that still has much to be solved. The key question remains: will justice be served for those who framed the guilty parties?