Amigo LNG project in Sonora defended by Mexican President

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum defended the Amigo LNG project in Guaymas, Sonora, stating that environmental impact authorizations were granted during the administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The project, which involves the export of natural gas from the United States to Asian markets, has faced significant opposition from environmental activists concerned about the impact on the Gulf of California ecosystem.

Reports indicate that the project has secured approximately 90 hectares of land and sea, including 36 hectares of federal maritime territory and 54 hectares of land provided by the state of Sonora in 2022. The facility is intended to serve as a strategic node for transporting hydrocarbons from the Permian Basin in Texas to international markets via cross-border pipelines.

While critics argue the project threatens the environmental health of the ‘world’s aquarium,’ Sheinbaum argued that the project offers a sovereignty advantage by providing natural gas storage capabilities within Mexico that could be utilized domestically in the future.