Julio Cesar Chavez Jr Released Pending Trial for Cartel Ties in Mexico

Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. faces trial in Mexico for alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and charges including arms trafficking and organized crime. After being arrested in the U.S. in July for visa overstay and deported in August, Chavez Jr. was transferred to a high-security prison in Hermosillo, Sonora, but a judge ruled that he may continue his legal process while remaining free under strict conditions, including a travel ban within Mexico. His attorney has stated there is no evidence supporting the charges, and the prosecutor's office has requested three additional months to gather evidence, with the next hearing scheduled for November 24. The trial process is being conducted in part via video conference to ensure the safety of Chavez Jr. and officials involved. If convicted, Chavez Jr. could face four to eight years in prison. The case is part of a broader crackdown on the Sinaloa Cartel, which U.S. authorities have designated a foreign terrorist organization.