Following a fire at the perimeter fence of the Olmeca refinery on Tuesday, the Federal Government has launched an interinstitutional operation to address the presence of hydrocarbons detected near Dos Bocas in Paraíso municipality. Fishermen and restaurants in the area have reported a strong smell of oil in their catch, leading them to bury the affected fish, as they fear contamination. Images have circulated showing a dark, oily sheen spreading across Río Seco, raising further concerns about environmental damage.

The Secretary of the Environment and Sustainable Development of Tabasco (Semades) has lodged a formal complaint with the Agency for Security, Energy, and Environment (ASEA) regarding the oil spill in Paraíso, where federal and state authorities are conducting response operations. Gary Arjona Rodríguez, the state Deputy Secretary for Climate Change, confirmed the legal action following inspections in the affected area, underscoring the seriousness of the pollution.

This incident brings to light the ongoing environmental challenges faced by regions hosting major industrial facilities, such as oil refineries. The situation not only poses a risk to local wildlife and water quality but also threatens the livelihoods of fishermen and businesses reliant on clean water and sustainable fish stocks, prompting calls for stricter environmental regulations and oversight in similar industrial sites.