Clemente Castañeda, coordinator of the Citizen Movement's caucus in the Senate of the Republic, stated at a press conference that the Mexican government is insulting victims by downplaying the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. 'If 'a great deal has been done' to address the spill in the Gulf of Mexico, why do fishermen and communities continue to see oil on their coasts?' he asked rhetorically. 'Minimizing the problem does not solve it. Ignoring the evidence is an insult to the victims,' he emphasized in a message on his social media platform X. These remarks came in response to statements by President Claudia Sheinbaum that, despite appearances, a great deal has been done to respond to the incident in national waters. The legislator added that the impact is escalating on the coasts of Veracruz and Tabasco. He recalled that the orange caucus presented a point of agreement for Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) to explain the incident. 'We demand transparency, sanctions for those responsible, ecological restoration, and medical and economic assistance for affected communities,' he demanded. In the point of agreement, the parliamentary group under his leadership highlighted that while Pemex has participated in cleanup efforts, it has not clarified the causes of the spill, despite initially denying any responsibility. They denounced that the response efforts have been insufficient and non-transparent, and that in some cases, neither dignified conditions nor adequate compensation have been guaranteed for those participating in the cleanup. The document demands a serious and independent investigation to determine the causes. Additionally, it calls for protection, proper equipment, and fair pay for individuals conducting cleanup work. MC demands economic support and medical attention for Gulf of Mexico residents. In this regard, they propose implementing an emergency economic support program for fishing and tourist families affected by the spill. Legislators also requested short-term and long-term medical care, as well as a detailed explanation of the health risks to people. As well as guaranteeing protective measures for the Gulf of Mexico reef corridor.
