By News Editor 
Mario Marín Torres, former governor of Puebla (2005–2011), has become a symbol of impunity and corruption in Mexico. Now, after years of evading justice, he remains incarcerated at the high-security Altiplano prison following a failed attempt to obtain house arrest.
The Scandal: Torture, Power, and Press Suppression
Marín’s downfall began in 2005, when investigative journalist Lydia Cacho published The Demons of Eden, exposing a child sex trafficking network allegedly protected by businessmen and public officials. Among the implicated was Kamel Nacif Borge, a textile magnate known as the “King of Denim.”
In 2006, a leaked phone call between Marín and Nacif revealed both celebrating the arrest and mistreatment of Cacho—evidence of their intent to silence her using the machinery of the state. This infamous conversation earned Marín national notoriety and fueled public outrage.
International Links: Chandler, Arizona and Extradition Ties
One of the alleged collaborators linked to the network fled to Chandler, Arizona, where they were reportedly coordinating communications and financial arrangements with individuals in Mexico and Lebanon. The man in question was Jean (Jan) Sukar Kuri, also came under scrutiny. Sukar Kuri, a businessman with connections to both Nacif and the Puebla elite, was extradited to Mexico in 2023 from the United States, where he had been residing under a different name. His testimony and legal proceedings have added further pressure to Marín’s defense.
Marín’s Arrest and Failed Bid for House Arrest
After years of avoiding capture, Mario Marín was finally arrested in Acapulco in 2021 and transferred to the Altiplano maximum-security prison. In August 2024, a federal judge controversially granted him house arrest, citing his age and health concerns.
However, in April 2025, a federal tribunal overturned that decision, arguing that Marín poses a flight risk and that the charges of torture are too grave for leniency. He was returned to Altiplano, where he remains awaiting further legal proceedings.
Kamel Nacif: Fugitive and Manipulator
Kamel Nacif, meanwhile, fled Mexico in 2019 after an arrest warrant was issued. He was later detained in Lebanon in 2021, but managed to obtain provisional release. Lydia Cacho has recently denounced that Nacif may be back in Puebla, attempting to influence the judicial process behind the scenes. Cacho also warned about renewed threats against her safety.
A Symbolic Case for Mexican Justice
This saga remains emblematic in Mexico’s fight against corruption and the abuse of power. Lydia Cacho’s relentless pursuit of justice has kept national and international attention on the case. Her resilience, in the face of torture and threats, underscores the dangers journalists face—and the deep entrenchment of political collusion in Mexico.