Background on Omar García Harfuch and His Role
Omar García Harfuch serves as the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) in Mexico. His recent announcement marks a significant achievement against the illegal activities of “huachicol,” which refers to the clandestine extraction and sale of fuel.
The Largest Operation Against Fuel Theft in the Current Administration
In a coordinated effort between federal and state forces, Mexican authorities seized 129 illicit fuel tankers containing over 15 million liters of diesel, gasoline, and petroleum distillate in two locations within the state of Coahuila. This operation, confirmed by García Harfuch, is the largest of its kind during President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration.
Collaborative Efforts of Multiple Agencies
The successful decomission was the result of a joint effort by several Mexican agencies, including:
- Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (Sedena): The Mexican Army
- Guardia Nacional: The National Guard
- Fiscalía General de la República (FGR): The Mexican Attorney General’s Office
- Secretaría de Marina (Semar): The Mexican Navy
- Security personnel from Pemex: Employees responsible for protecting Mexico’s state-owned petroleum company’s assets
Focus on Key Regions for Extortion Cases
García Harfuch highlighted that the strategy prioritizes eight entities, which account for 66% of extortion cases in Mexico. These regions include:
- Estado de México
- Guanajuato
- Nuevo León
- Veracruz
- Ciudad de México (Mexico City)
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Omar García Harfuch? Omar García Harfuch is the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) in Mexico, responsible for overseeing public safety and security matters.
- What is “huachicol”? “Huachicol” refers to the illegal extraction and sale of fuel, often involving the siphoning of pipelines operated by Pemex, Mexico’s state-owned petroleum company.
- Which agencies collaborated in this operation? The Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (Sedena), Guardia Nacional, Fiscalía General de la República (FGR), Secretaría de Marina (Semar), and Pemex’s security personnel all participated in the operation.
- Why are these eight entities prioritized? These regions—Estado de México, Guanajuato, Nuevo León, Veracruz, and Ciudad de México—account for 66% of extortion cases in Mexico, making them a priority for law enforcement efforts.
