Pemex denies extent of Coatzacoalcos oil spill, millions remain without water

Mayors of four southern Veracruz municipalities met yesterday with Governor Herrera to discuss how to resolve a potable-water shortage, caused by a recent oil spill in the Jaltapec de Jesús Carranza River. The city leaders appealed to the Governor to place greater pressure on Pemex to act immediately to beef up its emergency efforts in the region. Additionally, environmental groups are claiming that the damages to the local ecosystem will take years to undo, making a prompt response by Pemex all that more urgent.

Meanwhile, the day before the meeting was held Pemex chief, Jesus Reyes Heroles Gonzáles-Garza, stated that while the company planned on supplying aid for emergency efforts treating 125 miles of the river affected by the spill, it won't recognize all 155 as residents, local leaders and environmentalists have demanded. He argued that Pemex can't be held responsible for harm done to those parts of the river where Jesus Reyes claims Pemex didn't have operations running at the time of the spill. The dispute has pushed back the launching of any serious restoration efforts by local or national response teams. State Coordinator of Natural Environment, Domínguez Ferráez, has called upon Pemex to deliver an estimated US$8 billion to fund emergency response efforts. However, Ferráez noted that that figure will only increase with time.

Apparently in an attempt to divert attention away from their most recent goof-ups, including last week's off-shore accident that killed 18 and halted 1/5 of production for nearly a week in addition to this week's oil spill, yesterday, Pemex pointed its finger at the mayor of Jáltiman. It is demanding that Mayor Angel Ferreyra Torales explain the disappearance of the more than US$10 million that Pemex delivered to him over a year ago. In addition to the misplaced priorities of the national government and its baby Pemex, the practices of corrupt local politicians like Torales could certainly form part of the answer to the question of why the people of Veracruz see so little of the nationalized oil company's profits. Regardless, after causing potentially irreparable damage to the environment and millions of residents, Pemex can't be let off the hook. Do your job Herrera and hold Pemex accountable.