Introduction to the Issue
Over the past year, Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), Mexico’s state-owned petroleum company, has filed at least 5,128 criminal complaints for the illegal siphoning of fuel through clandestine taps, known as “huachicol.” These actions have resulted in financial losses amounting to 946 million 234,304 pesos.
Geographical Distribution of Complaints
In response to an information request (330023825001247), Pemex’s Transparency Unit detailed that these complaints were filed from May 2024 to May 2025. The states with the highest number of complaints are Hidalgo (888), Puebla (637), the State of Mexico (561), Nuevo León (521), Guanajuato (511), Tamaulipas (465), and Baja California (308). These states account for 65% of the total complaints.
Economic Impact by State
However, the information provided by Pemex indicates that the highest economic damage does not occur in states with the most complaints. Baja California experiences the greatest economic loss at 668 million 259,182 pesos, followed by Chihuahua (98 million 615,498 pesos) and the State of Mexico (84 million 345,765 pesos).
- Tamaulipas: 32 million 840,457 pesos
- Nuevo León: 16 million 762,784 pesos
- Oaxaca: 15 million 227,230 pesos
- Guanajuato: 11 million 601,249 pesos
Despite having numerous complaints, Hidalgo and Puebla do not report any economic losses. Similarly, Tlaxcala, Coahuila, Sonora, San Luis Potosí, Durango, and Campeche have complaints but no registered economic damage.
Understanding the Complaints and Losses
A complaint, according to Pemex, may include one or multiple clandestine taps. The financial loss, or “quebranto,” is determined once the damage assessment report is available. Pemex clarifies that the penal financial loss refers to the economic damage or loss incurred.
When questioned about the total losses due to fuel theft nationwide, Pemex’s Logistics and Strategic Safeguard Directorate stated that they record the quantity of losses caused by this crime, not the total amount of stolen fuel.
Additionally, Pemex provided information on the estimated costs for disabling clandestine taps from January to April 2025, totaling 227 million 789,135 pesos.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is “huachicol”? Huachicol refers to the illegal siphoning of fuel through clandestine taps.
- How many complaints has Pemex filed? Pemex has filed at least 5,128 complaints for fuel theft.
- Which states have the most complaints? Hidalgo, Puebla, the State of Mexico, Nuevo León, Guanajuato, and Tamaulipas have the highest number of complaints.
- Where are the greatest economic losses? The states with the most significant economic losses are Baja California, Chihuahua, and the State of Mexico.
- What does Pemex report as financial losses? Pemex reports the quantity of losses caused by fuel theft, not the total stolen amount.
