New Oil Spill Contaminates Fishing Areas in Oaxaca, Fishermen Denounce

Fishermen in the coastal area of La Ventosa, Oaxaca, Mexico, have voiced strong complaints about a new oil spill that has once again contaminated their beaches and vital fishing zones.

Residents described seeing black slicks on the water and sand, reminiscent of previous pollution incidents. The contamination directly impacts their ability to harvest fish and shellfish, threatening their livelihoods. Local restaurant owners in the area had recently suffered damage from rough seas, adding to their economic woes.

Diana González, the director of Ecology for the Salina Cruz municipality, confirmed that an official report is being prepared to file a complaint with the relevant authorities. The spill is occurring in an area where PEMEX operates two industrial waste discharge pipelines, as the Salina Cruz refinery's wastewater treatment plants are reportedly not functioning.

Two years prior, in September 2024, the then-manager of the Salina Cruz refinery acknowledged that one of the discharge pipes had cracks and promised repairs, which fishermen claim never occurred. Naval personnel have since surveyed the contaminated area, following an initial assessment by local environmental officials.