Mexico Roundup: Fire in Southern Mexico, cartel, candidate shot to death

Fire in Southern Mexico

Mexico entered peak fire season in March 2024 with over 100 active blazes, fueled by dry and warm conditions. A total of 120 fires affected more than 7,000 hectares across 19 states. According to NASA Earth Observatory, the fire season is expected to continue through May, with increased fire activity and potential in all Mexican mountain ranges.

Mexican Cartel

Mexican cartel CJNG is targeting unsuspecting tourists in a timeshare scam, defrauding victims of millions of dollars. The U.S. government has warned timeshare owners and sanctioned companies tied to the cartel. The scam involves call centres posing as legitimate sales representatives and demanding upfront fees before disappearing with victims' money. CJNG uses extreme violence and intimidation to control the timeshare network, often targeting older U.S. citizens, reports media agency The Week. The cartel's operation has been linked to multiple deaths, and the U.S. government is working to stop the scam.

Mayoral candidate shot to death

Candidate for mayor of a violent city in Mexico, Bertha Gaytán, was shot to death as she began campaigning. This is the latest killing in the run-up to Mexico's June 2 elections, with at least 14 candidates killed so far. Guanajuato, where the killing occurred, has the highest number of homicides in Mexico and is known for violent turf battles between drug cartels, according to reports from ABC News. This violence against politicians is widespread in Mexico.

Crude oil exports

Mexico's Pemex will halt some crude oil exports, cutting supply in the global market and driving up oil prices. The move comes as the country aims to increase domestic fuel production and revamp its refining sector. The export cut primarily affects its flagship Maya crude, with US refiners likely to be impacted the most, reports media agency The Star. The halt is expected to support prices of medium-sour Mars Blend produced in the Gulf of Mexico.

Maya Train accident

The Mexican government blames a contractor for a loose clamp causing a Maya Train derailment. Critics see the $20 billion railway project as wasteful and damaging to the environment, which prompted President López Obrador to finish it by Sept. 30. The railway switch involved in the accident is supposed to be automated, but manual operations were being used prematurely. The project has caused damage to sensitive limestone caves, despite promises to preserve them, CTV news reported. The Defense Secretary mentioned that the companies involved are analysing the damage.