In recent weeks, several operations have been carried out by federal authorities in Mexico to combat fuel smuggling, referred to as "fiscal huachicol." One of the most significant seizures took place in early April at the port of Altamira, Tamaulipas, where a ship carrying 10 million liters of illicit diesel was confiscated, along with nearly 200 containers and 23 tractor-trailers.
These seizures add to others made in different regions of the country, which has had a strong economic impact on public finances and the formal trade of thousands of companies in Mexico. According to PAN deputy Federico Döring, fiscal huachicol has represented losses of more than 554 billion pesos in the last 6 years.
For his part, Francisco Barnés de Castro, former Commissioner of the CRE, pointed out that fiscal huachicol in diesel has increased significantly, rising from 71,000 barrels per day in 2022 to 122,000 barrels per day in January 2025. The detection of organized crime groups involved in these seizures evidences the seriousness of the illicit fuel market in the country.
It is essential for federal authorities to understand the magnitude of the problem and punish those responsible for these crimes. Huachicol not only affects the economy but also the environment and security of Mexico. In this regard, it is necessary to take decisive measures to eradicate this illegal practice and its negative repercussions on Mexican society.