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Congressman Gonzalez Demands Action on Latest Cartel Criminal Activity Restricting Fuel Access

December 6, 2023

Actions Possibly Violate the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last month, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) led a bipartisan letter to the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Katherine Tai, urging quick and decisive action against the rising theft of imported U.S fuel and its illicit sale in Mexico. 

“On October 16, 2023, cartel gunmen forced a dozen fuel trucks to dump their gasoline into a field in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, across from Brownsville, Texas, the most populous city in my District," said Congressman Gonzalez. This brazen criminal act severely undermines longstanding trade agreements which are vital for the economic growth of communities along the border. Trade deals like the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), were set in place to ensure that goods continue to flow freely between our two countries, unimpeded by criminals who want nothing more than to line their own pockets at the expense of our businesses and citizens. The Government of Mexico and the U.S. Government must act quickly to protect shipments of fuel and other goods into Mexico and halt the cartels’ brazen actions as they continue to jeopardize our existing trade agreement.”

In addition, the letter calls for Mexico to uphold its obligation to the USMCA, as it has temporally restricted the import of U.S. fuel under the guise of combating contraband fuel in the country. Congressmen Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and Dan Crenshaw (TX-02) also signed onto the letter. 

Read the full letter here

Read the Spanish version of the press release here.

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