Mexico’s latest crackdown on fuel theft smells more like a political cleanup than a cartel takedown.
In Reynosa, Tamaulipas, authorities seized 1.8 million liters of pilfered fuel, nine trucks, 39 trailer tanks, and industrial equipment in a raid targeting a cartel-linked operation, Breitbart reported on Friday.
Mexican officials, led by Omar Garcia Harfuch, spun the bust as a bold strike against the Cartel Jalisco New Generation and the Gulf Cartel’s Metros faction. Yet, whispers from local journalists suggest this was less about justice and more about shielding ruling party elites.
The raid, orchestrated by Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office, hit a truck railyard partly owned by a company tied to MORENA Senator Jose Ramon “JR” Gomez Leal. This isn’t just a random bust; it’s a carefully staged show to quiet U.S. grumbling about Mexico’s cozy relationship with cartels. The optics scream reform, but the reality reeks of cover-up.
Garcia Harfuch, Mexico’s top security official, has been accused of staging raids to exaggerate progress against cartels. His latest move in Reynosa fits the pattern: big seizures, flashy headlines, but little disruption to the cartel’s grip. It’s a masterclass in political theater, not law enforcement.
The property raided isn’t just any lot—it’s linked to Senator Gomez Leal, a MORENA heavyweight. Local journalists and political rivals exposed this connection, shining a light on how fuel theft funds flow into MORENA’s campaign machine. Protecting the party’s power seems to trump rooting out crime.
Cartels like Jalisco New Generation and the Gulf’s Metros faction thrive in Reynosa’s shadows, siphoning fuel and funneling cash. The seized 1.8 million liters of fuel products represent a fraction of their illicit empire. Yet, this raid conveniently sidesteps the deeper ties between these criminals and MORENA’s political operatives.
Breitbart Texas reports that cartel-connected money from fuel theft has long bankrolled MORENA’s political campaigns. This isn’t speculation—it’s a pattern exposed by those brave enough to speak out. The ruling party’s grip on power owes a debt to these dirty dollars.
Senator Gomez Leal’s involvement raises eyebrows, as his company’s stake in the raided property ties him directly to the scandal. He’s not just a bystander; he’s a key player in MORENA’s political machine. The raid’s timing feels like a desperate attempt to distance the party from its skeletons.
Back in 2021, Sergio Carmona, a figure allegedly central to funneling fuel theft profits to MORENA campaigns, met a grim end. Shot dead in an upscale Nuevo Leon barbershop, his murder hinted at the high stakes of this shadowy world. His death didn’t stop the flow of cartel cash—it just made the game quieter.
The U.S. has been vocal about Mexico’s soft stance on cartels, and this raid feels like a direct response. Garcia Harfuch’s team knew a big bust would make headlines across the border, easing diplomatic tensions. But staging a raid to appease foreign critics while cartels run free is a hollow victory.
Reynosa’s fuel theft ring isn’t a new problem—it’s a symptom of Mexico’s entrenched corruption. Cartels don’t just steal fuel; they buy influence, and MORENA’s elite seem all too willing to cash in. The raid’s spectacle distracts from the real issue: a system where crime and politics are bedfellows.
Local journalists deserve credit for connecting the dots between the raided property and Senator Gomez Leal. Their courage exposes what Mexico’s government would rather keep buried. But in a country where truth-tellers face threats, their voices are a rare beacon.
Mexico’s ruling party wants to have it both ways: crack down on cartels while protecting its own. The Reynosa raid, with its massive fuel seizure and carefully curated press, is a shiny distraction from that contradiction. It’s reform without substance, action without accountability.
The 1.8 million liters of fuel, nine trucks, and 39 trailer tanks seized are impressive on paper, but they’re a drop in the cartel’s bucket. Without dismantling the political networks that enable these crimes, such raids are just expensive photo ops. Mexico’s people deserve better than this charade.
The ties between MORENA, Senator Gomez Leal, and cartel cash should spark outrage, not apathy. If Mexico’s government is serious about cleaning house, it needs to start with its ranks. Until then, raids like Reynosa’s will remain a conservative’s case study in hypocrisy—dressed up as progress.
