AMLO: Although the tragedy in Hidalgo hurts, combating huachicoleros will continue

Translated by El Profe for Borderland Beat from Proceso

MEXICO CITY- President Andrés Manuel López Obrador regretted that the theft of hydrocarbon by the population has taken root in the country and ends in tragedies like the one that occurred yesterday in Tlahuelilpan, Hidalgo, which has left at least 66 dead and 76 injured.
 
However, the president said that the fight against the huachicoleros will continue in order to eradicate this practice that affects Mexicans.
 
“It hurts a lot that these practices have taken root in recent times in our country, because the images of people with buckets, with drums, with containers to get gasoline or diesel is an unfortunate matter that will spread to the entire area where pipelines pass,” said López Obrador at a press conference.

“Although it hurts a lot we have to continue with the plan to end the fuel theft. We are not going to stop, we are going to continue. This not only damages us economically, but the risk, the loss of human lives,” he added.

The president called on the population to refrain from participating in pipeline tapping and asked that residents register in social programs in order to have alternatives to get ahead financially.

López Obrador pledged that federal institutions will conduct a thorough investigation to determine what were the causes that led to the events.