Cleanup of contaminated beaches in Veracruz and Tabasco at 85%: Pemex

Pemex reported 85% progress in cleaning hydrocarbon-contaminated beaches in Veracruz and Tabasco, with 91 tons of waste collected. Cleanup brigades started work on March 5 in Veracruz and expanded to several areas. Federal authorities are coordinating the environmental contingency response.

Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) reported approximately 85% progress in cleanup efforts on hydrocarbon-contaminated beaches in Veracruz and Tabasco. Brigades collected around 91 tons of oil-impregnated waste as part of a coordinated operation with federal agencies off the Gulf of Mexico coast. These actions aim to contain the detected environmental contingency and prevent spread to new coastal areas. In Veracruz, work began on March 5 at Playa Barrillas, expanding to Playa Linda, Playa Jicacal, and Laguna del Ostión. Nearly 210 workers in various fronts collected 40 tons at Playa Barrillas, 20 tons at Playa Linda, 30 tons at Playa Jicacal, and 1 ton at Laguna del Ostión. Waste was moved to temporary storage cells. In Tabasco, efforts focused on Barra de Tupilco and Arroyo Verde in Paraíso, as well as ejidos Sinaloa and El Alacrán, and Manatinero community in Cárdenas, removing volumes such as 80 cubic meters at Ejido Sinaloa, 30 cubic meters at Arroyo Verde, and 10 cubic meters at Manatinero. The Secretaría de Marina (Semar) activated the Local Contingency Plan on March 14 to oversee tasks. Participants include Semarnat, ASEA, Profepa, Conanp, National Civil Protection Coordination, state authorities, and local communities. Inspections at Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano found no hydrocarbon stains. Pemex conducted offshore containment with specialized vessels, and its regional facilities operate normally without impacts. Authorities are investigating the hydrocarbon's origin through current analyses, satellite monitoring, and information requests to companies.

Related Articles

Protestors march on Veracruz beach for 'March for the Sea' demanding accountability for Gulf of Mexico hydrocarbon spill.
Image generated by AI

Activists launch 'March for the Sea' protesting Gulf of Mexico hydrocarbon spill

Reported by AI Image generated by AI

Environmental and civil groups, including Tlacuy and Greenpeace Mexico, are calling for the “March for the Sea” on April 5 in Veracruz to demand accountability for the ongoing Gulf of Mexico hydrocarbon spill, challenging official claims of natural causes with satellite evidence of stains since February. The protest follows recent government announcements of cleaned beaches and containment efforts.

The Secretariat of the Navy reported that all beaches affected by the hydrocarbon spill in the Gulf of Mexico are clean and ready for tourists during Holy Week. Authorities attribute the contamination mainly to seepages in the Cantarell field and an illegal discharge from a ship on March 3 off Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. They maintain surveillance over 600 km of coastline and are investigating 13 suspicious vessels.

Reported by AI

President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on March 24 that Mexico has not fully identified the private company responsible for an oil spill impacting over 600 km of coastline in Veracruz and Tabasco. Following earlier cleanup reports, she ordered an interdisciplinary Navy-Pemex group for response efforts and directed the FGR to pursue an environmental damage lawsuit.

Ibama has fined Petrobras R$2.5 million for a drilling fluid spill in January in the Foz do Amazonas basin. The incident involved discharging 18.44 cubic meters of an oily mixture into the sea, rated as medium risk to human health and the aquatic ecosystem. Despite the state-run company's claims that the material is biodegradable, the event sparked protests and temporarily halted operations.

Reported by AI

The Olmeca refinery in Dos Bocas, Tabasco, produced 83.1 thousand barrels per day of diesel in February, accounting for 27.85% of national output from Pemex's seven refineries. This contributed to cutting diesel imports to the lowest level in 17 years and starting exports. Diesel prices have risen in both Mexico and the United States.

Mexico became Cuba's main oil supplier in 2025, overtaking Venezuela after Nicolás Maduro's capture. Pemex sends high-quality light crudes like Istmo and Olmeca, suited to the island's outdated refineries, though this imposes a significant economic cost on the country. President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed the shipments will continue as humanitarian aid, despite potential reprisals from Donald Trump.

Reported by AI

President Claudia Sheinbaum and Governor Rocío Nahle led the commemoration of the 88th anniversary of the Oil Expropriation in Pueblo Viejo, Veracruz. Sheinbaum acknowledged Nahle's contributions to energy self-sufficiency. Advances in refineries and a new commission for Pemex were announced.

 

 

 

This website uses cookies

We use cookies for analytics to improve our site. Read our privacy policy for more information.
Decline