How Fuel Theft Drives Mexico’s Violence Epidemic Fuel theft has become a catalyst for some of Mexico’s worst violence. Fuel theft gangs must use force to control territory close to pipelines and other oil infrastructure in order to access fuel supplies. Turf disputes commonly spark conflicts between rival groups. As huachicol has expanded into one of the country's largest criminal economies, it has also become one of the deadliest, with citizens, police, and oil workers caught in the cr...| InSight Crime
Diesel Subsidy Cut Could Make Fuel Theft Worse in Ecuador Eliminating the diesel subsidy cuts opportunities for smugglers who buy cheap fuel in Ecuador to sell in neighboring countries, but it increases incentives for criminal groups to steal fuel that they use in various illegal activities. Fuel theft is already rising. State-owned oil giant Petroecuador estimated that theft had cost the company $215 million between 2022 and October 2024. The post Diesel Subsidy Cut Could Make Fuel Theft Wo...| InSight Crime
Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel (CSRL) The Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel (CSRL) emerged in Guanajuato as a network of gangs dedicated to fuel theft and became one of the state’s deadliest drivers of violence. Despite government crackdowns and the advance of the CJNG, the CSRL continues to control key criminal economies such as fuel theft, extortion, and methamphetamine sales. The post Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel (CSRL) appeared first on InSight Crime.| InSight Crime