Sheinbaum Addresses PEMEX Corruption Cases, Executive Arrests

President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the ongoing investigations into alleged corruption involving former executives at PEMEX, confirming that several cases tied to bribery schemes and irregular contracting practices are advancing in Mexico and the United States. During her morning press conference, Sheinbaum confirmed that a bribery attempt involving three PEMEX officials during the previous administration was detected and stopped under the leadership of former PEMEX Director Octavio Romero.

According to Sheinbaum, the case relates to a US Department of Justice investigation into acts of corruption within PEMEX between 2019 and 2021. Businessmen Ramón Rovirosa and Mario Ávila allegedly offered up to MX$150,000 to influence contract awards in oil exploration and production projects. “These contracts were not executed; there was an attempted bribe, but the agreements were canceled immediately,” Sheinbaum said, adding that Romero ordered the suspension of any related contracts as soon as the irregularities were detected.

The US District Court of Texas has accused Rovirosa and Ávila of offering cash, luxury items, and other benefits to PEMEX officials identified as “Foreign Official 1,” “Foreign Official 2,” and “Foreign Official 3.” Court documents reveal encrypted messages, wire transfers, and exchanges of high-value gifts, including a US$12,500 Hublot watch and a Louis Vuitton handbag. One message from Ávila in June 2019 stated, “Once they pay, we will see how to split the candy.”

The alleged scheme extended until at least October 2021 and involved six energy companies linked to the two businessmen, as well as at least three additional accomplices. Some payments were made in southern Texas, while others occurred in Mexico, particularly in Campeche and Tabasco, where PEMEX’s offshore operations are concentrated.

Sheinbaum announced that Raquel Buenrostro, head of the Secretariat for Anti-Corruption and Good Governance, will present a detailed report next week, including the names of those involved and the measures taken. “We want the Mexican people to know exactly what happened, who attempted the bribes, and how the contracts were canceled in time,” she stated.

In a separate case, Sheinbaum recently confirmed the arrest of former PEMEX Director Carlos Treviño in Texas by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following an extradition request issued five years ago. Treviño, who led PEMEX between 2017 and 2018 under the administration of Enrique Peña Nieto, faces corruption charges linked to the Odebrecht scandal. He is accused of receiving more than MX$4 million (US$212,705) in bribes from Braskem, an Odebrecht subsidiary, to secure favorable conditions for the Etileno XXI petrochemical project.

Treviño’s attorney, Óscar Zamudio, stated that the detention was due to an immigration irregularity and argued that the Interpol red notice against his client is no longer valid. However, Mexican authorities maintain that Treviño could still be deported to face charges of bribery, criminal association, and money laundering.

These developments come as PEMEX continues to face financial and operational pressures. The company’s mounting debt, delayed supplier payments, and declining production levels have intensified scrutiny over its management and contracting practices. The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to combating corruption within strategic state-owned enterprises, emphasizing transparency and accountability as central to PEMEX’s future.

Sheinbaum underscored that the administration is prioritizing institutional reforms to strengthen oversight in PEMEX’s operations. “This is about ensuring that strategic sectors like oil and gas operate under strict compliance standards and without influence from private interests seeking illicit benefits,” she said.

The upcoming report from the Secretariat for Anti-Corruption is expected to outline next steps in the investigation, including coordination with US authorities handling related proceedings. The Mexican government has also indicated it will pursue civil and criminal actions where appropriate to recover damages and reinforce its zero-tolerance stance on corruption within the energy sector.