Since 1 March 2026, more than a dozen oil spills have been identified in the Gulf of Mexico, affecting 39 communities in the states of Tabasco and Veracruz and contaminating 230 km of shoreline.

Many affected communities depend on fishing ⁠and tourism and worry the spill could damage their livelihoods.

President Claudia Sheinbaum said the government is ​investigating the spills, ⁠but alleged state oil company Pemex was not responsible for them.

An interdisciplinary has been created to investigate the cause and the impact of the spill. The prosecutors' office has also launched a criminal investigation for environmental crimes.

In late March 2026, civil society organizations and researchers revealed, through satellite imagery, that the spill occurred in mid-February and was already visible by then. They also pointed to a Pemex pipeline as the possible point of origin.

The organizations denounce the omission of information by both authorities and the company regarding the origin of the spill and the date when it became visible.

Mongabay contacted Pemex to request its response to these allegations but has not received a reply so far.

In mid-April 2026, the government acknowledged that the spill originated from a Pemex pipeline, and the removal of three company officials from their positions was announced. In response, more than 40 civil society organizations demanded transparency from the company regarding the extent of the spill, as well as comprehensive reparations.