Introduction
“We shouldn’t have taken the blood of the land,” laments Alicia Candiani, echoing the despair felt by many in Poza Rica, Veracruz.
The Emergence of a Disturbing Species
Following heavy rains in Poza Rica, Veracruz, a peculiar breed of worms with rat-like tails emerged from the murky water. These creatures, adapted to thrive in extremely polluted waters teeming with decomposing matter and waste, have become a haunting reminder of the environmental devastation caused by oil extraction.
Alicia Candiani’s Warning
Candiani, the sister of the author, often warned against exploiting the land’s “black blood” – oil. She believed that the planet’s soul resided within this resource, and its absence would bring divine retribution.
A Region Scarred by Oil Extraction
Poza Rica, Minatitlán, and Coatzacoalcos – all share a common wound, forged by a nation’s relentless pursuit of progress through the exploitation of the earth’s core.
The Birth of Petroleum Extraction
Foreign engineers and technicians, primarily from the Mexican Oil Company “El Águila” (a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell) and Standard Oil of California (SOCAL), established the first oil camp in Poza Rica. This region, rich in petroleum, transformed into a significant extraction and refining center.
The Perilous Journey to Mexico City
Traveling from Poza Rica or Minatitlán to Mexico City was an arduous journey, often taking several days due to unpredictable weather, road conditions, and train delays. Arriving in the capital, one felt as though they had entered the heart of Mexico’s modernity.
The Living Archive of Oil Extraction
Mexico’s wounds are preserved in an archive of oil and mud – a testament to progress marked by rusted refineries, poisoned rivers, and cities built for foreign engineers.
The Persistent Archive of Lod
The mud archive continues to breathe, returning what was buried. Gusanos with rat-like tails and gas bubbles emerge, reminding us that nature’s memory endures even in what others deem irretrievable.
The Consequences of Neglect
Many, including the author’s mother, escaped the toxic underbelly of these oil-rich towns for education in Mexico City. Yet, the consequences of ignoring environmental degradation linger.
The October 2025 Floods
Heavy rains in October 2025 resulted in over 70 deaths and left 72 people missing in Poza Rica, leaving a city scarred and forgotten.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are these rat-tailed worms? These creatures, which have appeared in Poza Rica’s polluted waters, are a species of aquatic oligochaetes adapted to thrive in heavily contaminated environments.
- Who is Alicia Candiani? Alicia Candiani is the sister of the author, who often warned against exploiting Mexico’s oil reserves, believing it to be the planet’s soul.
- What is the significance of Poza Rica? Poza Rica, Veracruz, is a region heavily impacted by oil extraction, symbolizing Mexico’s relentless pursuit of progress at the expense of environmental health.
- What are the consequences of ignoring environmental degradation? Ignoring environmental issues can lead to catastrophic events, such as the October 2025 floods in Poza Rica, which resulted in numerous fatalities and disappearances.
