Inés Gómez Mont Arrested in Florida; She Remained a Fugitive for 5 Years

This article by Anahí Del Ángel originally appeared in the October 30, 2026 edition of Contralínea, a Mexican investigative journalism magazine.

After remaining a fugitive from Mexican justice for five years, former television host Inés Gómez Mont, wife of businessman Víctor Manuel Álvarez Puga, known as the King of the Invoice Mills, was arrested in Florida by U.S. authorities.

Mexican authorities link the couple to a network of companies that invoice simulated transactions, which allegedly allowed the diversion of around 3 billion pesos from the budget of the Secretariat of Governance, during the administration of Enrique Peña Nieto.

In 2021, a federal judge issued arrest warrants against both for the possible commission of the crimes of money laundering, organized crime and embezzlement. Businessman Álvarez Puga is also being investigated for the alleged illegal sale of Pegasus licenses, following the discovery of a clandestine espionage center in Santa Fe, Mexico City, where hundreds of recordings of officials were seized.

Just this past September 30, President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed that the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) had removed the couple’s red notices, an action she questioned, stating that there is evidence to show that in Mexico “they were dedicated to invoicing businesspeople with fake invoices to avoid paying taxes.”

Because she was detained in the United States, it will be that country’s authorities who determine Inés Gómez Mont’s legal and migratory status. Meanwhile, Mexican authorities must carry out the corresponding procedure to request her formal extradition.