Crude Oil Theft and Corruption in Mexico: A Deepening Crisis
In April, authorities apprehended members of the Jensen family for trafficking stolen crude oil from Pemex, transported via contracting in Hondo, Texas, where it was commercialized with the complicity of the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel. This revelation exposed a significant corruption scandal.
The Mexican security cabinet first targeted Tabasco and Veracruz, where crude oil theft was most prevalent. They shut down two facilities containing millions of barrels ready for shipping and later closed a mini-refinery near Coatzacoalcos. Recently, in Coahuila, they discovered 129 tank wagons holding 154 million liters.
However, the crucial aspect remains unaddressed: the operation, from theft to transportation and crossing into Texas, would have been impossible without the assistance of Pemex officials and technicians with political protection. Dismantling this network of political protection could be vital for the government’s credibility.
Mexico City’s Housing Challenge
Clara Brugada, the Head of Government in Mexico City, faces a significant challenge: balancing her ambitious housing program with the needs of the tourism industry and gentrification.
While she is urged to exercise authority for the people, radicals from Morena suggest “taxing vacant housing, expropriating abandoned properties for social housing, and promoting vertical living and density.”
Unlike the more radical voices, Brugada likely considers the long-term implications rather than focusing solely on the current situation.
Divergent Views on the Seguro Popular
The official narrative often emphasizes that the Seguro Popular was purely a business, which I believe is an exaggeration. Although there were undoubtedly abuses and oversights during its 14-year existence (2004-2018), there are also numerous success stories.
As the novelist Rex Stout’s character Nero Wolfe once said, “A politician who believes his own propaganda is misguided.”
In the Whirlwind: Notable Notes
- Meeting in Rio de Janeiro: Mexico’s Foreign Minister, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, met with his counterparts from India and Russia, Subrahmanyam Jaimshankar and Seguei Lavrov.
- INEA Cuts: Those who decided to cut the Institute for Adult Education (INEA) ensured the dismissal of 12,000 instructors, leaving many as victims of life’s circumstances.
- Court Minister’s Concern: Ministra Lenia Batres of the Supreme Court expressed concern about security, questioning who now safeguards her after the Federal Security Directorate ceased its role.
- Alphonse de Lamartine’s Wisdom: The French historian and writer advised, “In democracies, one must observe politicians’ hands more carefully than their minds.”
