Mexican fishermen denounce oil spill on Pacific coast

Fishermen in Mexico are denouncing a new oil spill along the Pacific coast, originating from a state-owned oil refinery in Salina Cruz, Oaxaca. The incident, which occurred at a Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) facility, has raised concerns about the impact on marine fauna, a critical resource for local communities.

While Pemex stated on Sunday that the situation was under control, images showed black slicks on the beach and around refinery pipelines. This is not the first such incident this year; a previous spill in February affected approximately 600 kilometers of beach on the Gulf of Mexico. "It affects us a lot because most of our work is in the sea, it's fishing," Santiago Olivera, a fisherman, told AFP. He explained that the contamination forces fishermen to venture further out to sea, a riskier endeavor with their current equipment.

The spill's timing is particularly detrimental, coinciding with the oyster breeding season, a vital period for the local economy. Beyond oil spills, Pemex facilities are also frequently affected by fires, with three incidents reported in 2026 alone, one resulting in five fatalities. The company faces significant challenges, including declining production, underinvestment, and a debt of around $85 billion. Despite these issues, Pemex and Brazilian energy giant Petrobras recently agreed to explore joint oil and gas projects in the Gulf of Mexico.