Is it the right strategy against fuel theft?

No government can't renounce USD $10 million every day, much less the Mexican one, who has a population with several needs. This amount of money, MXN $200 million , is what criminal groups steal every day, through fuel theft . Recovering them is not objectionable but perhaps the strategy to achieve this actually is.

In the face of such financial drain , the current administration decided to face the theft , a situation that has worsened during the last 15 years.

At the end of 2018 , it was revealed that since December 20, the government launched a strategy against fuel theft , “ huachicoleo ”, that Pemex authorities were involved in the theft and that three Pemex officials have been arrested. It was also revealed that the Army and the Navy would control strategic facilities.

Everything seemed to be working properly until next week. On January 3, the first reports about an extended fuel shortage in at least six states began circulating, although it was reported that Michoacán had been affected for a week.

The explanation offered by the government seemed logical : to avoid the draining of pipelines by criminals , fuel would be transported mostly through tanker trucks . The government asked the population to be understanding and supportive in the face if the situation.

The problem is that the situation worsened. Although numbers vary, nine states are being affected by the fuel shortage and yesterday, there were gas stations without fuel in the Mexican capital.

The patience requested could not last if the affectation of individual and companies' economies continues. There are many taxi drivers and small business owners who haven't been able to carry out their activities. In Michoacán , 40% of public transport vehicles stopped circulating because they ran out of gas. EL UNIVERSAL has documented the case of L eón, Guanajuato , where there are lines of up to 200 cars at gas stations and there are people who wait up to six hours to fill up to the tank of a motorcycle.

All this in addition to the low stocks and the low fuel production reported by the Ministry of Energy . There are places where fuel reserves would only last one day.

The shortage has lasted seven days. The signs sent by the government about normalization aren't reflected on the population's everyday life.

It would be good if the government analyzed itself. Is this strategy against fuel theft the right one?

Former Peña Nieto associate investigated for fuel theft

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