On August 11, 2025, two Mexican Texas-based businessmen—Ramón Alexandro Rovirosa Martínez and Mario Alberto Ávila Lizárraga—were indicted in the United States for allegedly bribing officials at Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), Mexico’s state-owned oil company, and its subsidiary Pemex Exploración y Producción (PEP).
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the pair conspired between 2019 and 2021 to pay at least $150,000 in bribes to Pemex officials. These bribes included luxury items such as Louis Vuitton bags, Hublot watches, and cash payments. The goal was to secure and retain lucrative contracts for companies linked to Rovirosa, including assistance with audits, payment releases, and contract approvals.
Rovirosa, CEO of Roma Energy and a lawful U.S. resident of The Woodlands, Texas, was arraigned after his arrest and released on a $1 million bail. He pleaded not guilty. Ávila, a former political candidate and resident of Spring, Texas, remains a fugitive. Both men face one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and three substantive violations of the same law. Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Court documents also allege Rovirosa has ties to Mexican cartel members, further intensifying the gravity of the case. Prosecutors claim the bribery scheme helped secure contracts worth at least $2.5 million for Rovirosa’s companies.
The indictment underscores ongoing concerns about corruption within Pemex and highlights the U.S. government’s commitment to enforcing anti-bribery laws. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case may have broader implications for cross-border business ethics and transparency in Mexico’s energy sector.
With information from Reuters
