A recent confiscation of millions of litres of illicit fuel in Mexico has sparked discussions about the country's ongoing battle against fuel smuggling, a practice locally known as "huachicol." These operations, hailed as historic, not only reveal the scale of the illegal trade but also indicate a potential shift in the federal government's approach to tackling organised crime.

Authorities in Mexico carried out a large-scale operation in Altamira, Tamaulipas, resulting in the seizure of a vessel transporting 10mn litres of illicit diesel. According to reports from El Financiero and Infobae, the vessel, which arrived at the port of Tampico on March 19 under the pretext of carrying oil additives, was intercepted following intelligence-led investigations. The coordinated operation, involving the Secretariat of Security and Civil Protection (SSPC), the Navy (Semar) and the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), also led to the confiscation of 192 containers, several lorries, firearms and various documents.

Simultaneously, authorities raided multiple locations in Altamira, including a logistics company's premises where the illicit fuel was stored. Despite the magnitude of the operation, no arrests have been reported, raising questions about the broader network behind this smuggling ring.

Just days earlier, nearly 8mn litres of hydrocarbons were discovered in Ensenada, Baja California, in what was described as the largest single-site fuel seizure in Mexico's history. The storage site, reportedly rented out by a businessman, was identified through increased surveillance efforts by state oil company Pemex’s Strategic Safeguarding personnel. The discovery underscores the scale of fuel smuggling in different parts of the country, with Baja California and Tamaulipas emerging as major hotspots.

These large-scale operations suggest a hardening stance against fuel smuggling, a significant departure from the previous administration’s lax approach. The crackdown on huachicol aligns with President Claudia Sheinbaum’s emphasis on enforcing fuel traceability regulations introduced under the revised energy reform laws. As reported by El Economista, these laws aim to track fuel from its point of import or production to its final sale, closing loopholes that have allowed illicit trade to flourish.

However, as El Universal notes, the current administration’s aggressive security measures mark a subtle yet notable break from the "hugs, not bullets" trademark policy of former President López Obrador. The recent actions against fuel smuggling, combined with past operations targeting fentanyl production, rather point to a more confrontational approach towards organised crime.

Further complicating the issue are allegations that previous administrations tolerated or even facilitated fuel smuggling. Reports suggest that fuel imported from the United States was disguised as other liquid products to evade taxes, costing the Mexican government billions in lost revenue. Additionally, illicit fuel trade has been linked to political financing, with figures like Sergio Carmona – once dubbed the "Huachicol King" – allegedly funding political campaigns with profits from smuggled fuel.

The Mexican government now faces a dual challenge: sustaining the momentum in tackling fuel smuggling while ensuring that such measures are not merely symbolic but part of a long-term strategy. Greater transparency in the prosecution of offenders and tighter control over the fuel supply chain will be critical in determining whether these operations truly signal a turning point or just another episode in the long battle against organised crime.