Mexico's Sener authorized fuel imports for new company despite strict rules

The administration of former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador granted a fuel import permit to Portacelis Gas and Oil despite the company failing to meet new regulatory requirements. Just nine days before the permit was issued on September 27, 2024, the Ministry of Energy (Sener) had implemented stricter rules requiring importers to demonstrate a two-year history of fuel imports to combat tax fraud.

Portacelis, which had been established only 52 days prior and had no history of foreign trade, was authorized to import up to 52 million liters of diesel. The company was managed by Juan Carlos de la Cruz Murillo, an associate of Amílcar Olán Aparicio, who is described as a collaborator of the former president's sons, Andy and Gonzalo López Beltrán.

Following the authorization, tax authorities identified that the company engaged in “huachicol fiscal” by declaring less fuel than was actually entering the country. As a result, the company faces claims for 834 million pesos in unpaid taxes.