Arrr! Avast ye! 9 scallywags be found in carriages near the Mexican fuel pipeline! Shiver me timbers!
2024-01-09
Arrr! Word be spreadin' that nine scurvy dogs have met their demise aboard them Hidalgo state-plated carriages, all found near a cursed fuel pipeline just north o' Mexico City, as told by the authorities, matey!
Authorities in central Mexico discovered the bodies of nine men near a fuel pipeline, prompting an investigation into possible fuel theft. This comes as Mexico grapples with the issue of gangs stealing gasoline, diesel, and natural gas from government pipelines. The bodies were found in two vehicles near the pipeline, with license plates from Hidalgo, a known hub for fuel theft.President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has made combating fuel theft a priority since assuming office in 2018. However, despite deploying thousands of troops to guard pipelines, illegal taps are still prevalent. In 2023, approximately 5,600 illegal taps were discovered nationwide, similar to levels seen when López Obrador came into power.
The government has attempted to crack down on the open sale of stolen fuel, reducing the volume for a few years. Stolen fuel is often sold alongside roads and sometimes even through licensed gas stations. Despite these efforts, losses from stolen fuel at the state-owned oil company, Petroleos Mexicanos, have increased, reaching over $1.1 billion in 2022.
Fuel theft not only causes financial losses but also contributes to violence between rival gangs and poses a risk to local residents. In some instances, thieves intentionally leave taps open to garner support from the community. This issue was tragically highlighted in January 2019 when an explosion at an illegally tapped pipeline in Hidalgo resulted in the deaths of at least 134 people as they collected leaking gasoline.
The Mexican government continues to face significant challenges in combating fuel theft, and the discovery of bodies near a pipeline highlights the ongoing issues and risks associated with this illegal activity.