CEC Receives Submission on Hydrocarbon Contamination in Las Choapas, Veracruz, Mexico
Tiohtià:ke (Montreal), 18 June 2026—On 9 June 2026, a Mexican citizen filed a submission with the Secretariat of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) under Chapter 24 of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA/CUSMA). The Submitter asserts that Mexico is failing to effectively enforce its environmental laws with respect to the contamination generated by the explosion of an oil well in the community of Las Choapas, Veracruz.
In submission SEM-26-006 (Hydrocarbon Contamination in Las Choapas), the Submitter asserts that an accident that occurred on 5 March 2026 at the Krem-1EXP exploratory well, near the Constitución Mexicana ejido in Las Choapas, Veracruz, resulted in several environmental impacts. According to the Submitter, the constant and prolonged flaring of gas from the well continues to date, generating additional harm to the environment. The Submitter argues that the environmental authorities have allegedly failed to control the effects of the incident and to remediate the damage, and notes that this leaves the civilian population entirely vulnerable with respect to their rights to a healthy environment and to health.
According to the Submitter, since the accident at the Krem-1EXP onshore exploratory well, the area has experienced severe and persistent environmental impacts. The prolonged flaring of gas and the discharge of drilling muds mixed with hydrocarbon residues are allegedly generating toxic emissions, acid rain and contaminating streams and water bodies. The Submitter also notes that these impacts are adversely affecting local crops used to supply rural communities and livestock.
The Submitter maintains that Mexico's environmental authorities have failed to carry out thorough inspections, impose sanctions, and comprehensively restore the soil and water, and that such failures are seriously affecting the surrounding communities. The submission cites provisions of the General Act on Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection (Ley General del Equilibrio Ecológico y la Protección al Ambiente).
The Secretariat will review the submission and determine, within 30 days, whether it meets the requirements of USMCA/CUSMA Article 24.27 (1), (2) and (3).
To learn more about the SEM process and for more detailed information on this matter, please consult the registry page for submission SEM-26-006 (Hydrocarbon Contamination in Las Choapas) in the public registry of submissions on the CEC website.