Clandestine refineries sprang up across Mexico during AMLO’s six-year term

While López Obrador was claiming in 2023 that “fuel theft is over” and “corruption no longer exists,” two clandestine mini-refineries were operating in Coatzacoalcos (Veracruz), and Reynosa (Tamaulipas)—complete with tanks, industrial piping, semi-trucks, and even video surveillance—just meters away from federal highways and the “Well-being Development Hub.”

Coincidentally, these refineries appeared when the “4T” (Fourth Transformation) administration came to power.
August 2017: The Coatzacoalcos site along the Trans-Isthmus highway was virgin jungle, as documented on Google Maps.

August 2019: Eight months after MORENA took office, illegal deforestation began. Trucks, flatbed trailers, and tanks moved in—all without permits from SEMARNAT, ASEA, or SENER.
July 2021: Large-scale industrial structures, reactors, and metal warehouses were already in place.

2019–2024: Energía Ecorenovable applied to SEMARNAT for a 30-year permit to “recycle oils”—processing 126,000 tons annually with a $100 million investment. SEMARNAT denied the request, deeming it unfeasible. In May 2025 (via official notice 30/MP-021709/24), the company itself withdrew the application. In other words, they operated for six years without an Environmental Impact Statement.

March 25, 2025: PROFEPA shut down the facility due to illegal logging and imposed a fine of $939,602 pesos. The company filed an appeal for review but continued operations as if nothing had happened.

June 18, 2025: The Coatzacoalcos facility was raided. Authorities seized 500,000 liters of crude oil, seven mobile tanks, and four vertical tanks, with a total value of $25 million.

July 27, 2025: The Reynosa, Tamaulipas facility was raided. A 41,851 m² site on the El Becerro highway, equipped with CFE high-voltage power, industrial water supply, and an antenna. It had a capacity of 14,000 barrels per day, handling 1 million liters daily of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Assets included 3.8 million liters of secured product plus another 109,000 liters at a second site, with a total value of 120 million.

Another of these clandestine refineries was located opposite Pemex Logística, just meters from the Nuevo Teapa-Cosoleacaque highway within the Isthmus corridor in the state of Veracruz. Operations were invoiced under categories such as “industrial waste treatment” and “disposal of used oils,” with billing issued to both Pemex and private entities.

The group—led by Ramón Pérez Córdoba and his partners—had operated a legal plant in Mérida since 2017 and owned six other companies across Quintana Roo, Nuevo León, and Tabasco.

Source: encortoyalgrano.com.mx

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