Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
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Major
Business Administration and Spanish
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Romero-González
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Mexico´s battle against organized crime has been a predominant issue since the end of the 20th century. Due to higher regulation on drug trafficking, many criminal cartels and gangs have turned to petroleum theft to protect their positions of power. What was once a localized activity coordinated by small gangs known as “huachicoleros,” or fuel thieves, recently has been taken over by various cartels who specialize in corruption and violence to defend their illicit market. My paper exposes both the direct and indirect effects that the fuel theft industry has had on Mexican society as a result of this flourishing illegal market. Through an analysis of newspaper articles and first-hand accounts of those affected by the fuel theft industry, I demonstrate that this illicit activity has caused disastrous effects on the communities surrounding the pipelines, the economy, and the political environment. I conclude that despite being a way of life for some impoverished citizens, the negative effects of fuel theft far outweigh any perceived benefits within pipeline communities. The objective of my analysis is both to educate those unfamiliar with the rapidly expanding fuel theft crisis and to initiate a response that demands policy reform. Furthermore, I explore potential factors that contribute to the ineffectiveness of current and past policies and what can be improved to achieve successful implementation.
Spring Scholars Week 2021 Event
GTL 400 Senior Colloquium
The Socioeconomic Impact of the Huachicoleros in Mexico and the Call for Policy Reform
Mexico´s battle against organized crime has been a predominant issue since the end of the 20th century. Due to higher regulation on drug trafficking, many criminal cartels and gangs have turned to petroleum theft to protect their positions of power. What was once a localized activity coordinated by small gangs known as “huachicoleros,” or fuel thieves, recently has been taken over by various cartels who specialize in corruption and violence to defend their illicit market. My paper exposes both the direct and indirect effects that the fuel theft industry has had on Mexican society as a result of this flourishing illegal market. Through an analysis of newspaper articles and first-hand accounts of those affected by the fuel theft industry, I demonstrate that this illicit activity has caused disastrous effects on the communities surrounding the pipelines, the economy, and the political environment. I conclude that despite being a way of life for some impoverished citizens, the negative effects of fuel theft far outweigh any perceived benefits within pipeline communities. The objective of my analysis is both to educate those unfamiliar with the rapidly expanding fuel theft crisis and to initiate a response that demands policy reform. Furthermore, I explore potential factors that contribute to the ineffectiveness of current and past policies and what can be improved to achieve successful implementation.