Río Hondo: Mexico’s Fuel Smuggling Hotspot Exposed

Mexico — The Río Hondo has been identified as one of the primary routes for the illegal trafficking of “huachicol fiscal,” a term referring to contraband fuel such as gasoline and diesel that is transported and sold without paying taxes or complying with regulations. While this phenomenon is common in Mexico, it has also been detected in other countries, including the U.S., Guatemala, Belize, Argentina, and Nigeria, according to a recent article published by El Universal.

In recent years, this illicit trade has surged along Mexico’s southern border, particularly in Chiapas, with fuel destined for Guatemala and Belize. Authorities attribute the increase to the active involvement of criminal organizations such as the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

How Cartels Smuggle Fuel

The smuggling network involves a complex web of participants, including:

• Pemex employees
• Customs agents
• Shipping companies
• Front businesses

Fuel is unloaded at ports in southeastern Mexico and transported via tanker trucks to areas near the border. From there, it is smuggled into Guatemala or Belize through clandestine routes, often in rural, mountainous, or agricultural zones. Smugglers also use makeshift rafts and cargo trucks to move the contraband.

Key Smuggling Routes

Mexican and Guatemalan authorities have identified several critical smuggling routes:

• Río Suchiate to Tecún Umán: Goods transported by raft.
• Huehuetenango-La Mesilla: Mountainous region with numerous blind crossings.
• Southern Coast of Guatemala: Routes through farms and plots.
• Río Hondo (Belize): Sugar cane fields used to transport gasoline.
• Río Dulce: Waterway for smuggling cigarettes and other goods.

Additionally, the CJNG has established checkpoints along roads such as the one connecting La Mesilla to Comitán, Chiapas, to monitor smugglers and charge “toll fees.”

Guatemala’s Response

Guatemala’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned its citizens about violence along the border with Chiapas, where armed groups operate. The ministry acknowledged working with Mexico through a binational task force to enhance security in the region.

“Both nations share a commitment to address the challenges posed by criminal groups in the area, prioritizing measures that promote security and the well-being of communities,” officials stated.

Reports indicate there are over 100 blind crossings in the Guatemalan departments of Huehuetenango, San Marcos, and Quiché, bordering southern Mexico, facilitating the movement of illegal goods.

Mexican Authorities’ Actions

In February, Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR) seized 884 liters of hydrocarbons in 12 illegal fuel outlets in Chiapas. The operations followed military intelligence reports identifying makeshift storage sites. The seizures included:

• 33 containers of 20 liters each
• 5 containers of 10 liters each
• 15 containers of 5 liters each
• Various drums and smaller containers

Risks of Fuel Smuggling

Beyond economic losses, fuel smuggling contributes to:

• Corruption at state and federal levels
• Safety hazards due to improper storage
• Financing of criminal activities
• Increased violence in border regions

The expansion of hydrocarbon smuggling affects not only Mexico but also neighboring countries struggling to contain distribution networks.