The fuel of discord
It seems that the parastatal company Pemex has decided to add a little excitement to the routine of millions of Mexicans. In a move that was undoubtedly meticulously planned to avoid boring us, the gas industry has announced that, for the next 15 days, there will be rationing in the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas in Mexico City, State of Mexico, Puebla, Tlaxcala and Veracruz. The reason? The always predictable and never dramatic distribution problems of the State’s productive enterprise. Rocío Robles, executive director of the Mexican Association of Liquefied Gas Distributors and Related Companies (Amexgas), ran out to clarify that this is not a shortage. Not at all! It is only a “temporary measure.” Because, of course, calling it a “shortage” would sound alarming, while “temporary measure” sounds almost like a spa for the pipes, a pause to balance the supply while whatever needs to be normalized is normalized. One wonders if this “normalization” implies that the pipelines are taking a course in mindfulness.
The situation is as fluid as the fuel itself. On the one hand, the authorities ask us for calm and assure us that it is a simple readjustment. On the other hand, the possibility that citizens, in an act of total serenity and equanimity, decide to stock up on cylinders as if a nuclear winter were approaching, is completely ruled out. Who could think of panic buying when we are promised a mere rebalancing? It’s almost poetic.
Pemex’s logistical choreography
Mrs. Robles, with a patience that deserves a medal, explained that Pemex, its main supplier, faces “logistical and infrastructure challenges.” What an elegant way to describe what the average citizen would translate as “the train derailed.” He stated that they are working at “forced marches” to maintain service to homes, businesses and industries. “Forced marches” is a wonderful expression; It conjures up images of heroic employees running with torches, but it’s probably closer to an endless Zoom meeting discussing contingency plan number 47.
Meanwhile, the National Gas Guild, perhaps less given to euphemisms, launched a cold reality statement: the lack of clear information and delays at the terminals are the perfect combination to cook up a crisis of perception. It’s the classic “it’s not a problem until everyone thinks it is.” They warn, with a touch of self-fulfilling prophecy, that this cocktail of opacity and slowness could lead to those much-mentioned panic acquisitions. That is, they warn you not to panic, but with a megaphone and strobe lights, which naturally has an immediate calming effect.
And what does this mean for you, gentle reader who just wants to warm up your beans? Well, it means that the domestic fuel par excellence has become a discretionary luxury item for a couple of weeks. It’s a fantastic opportunity to rediscover the benefits of cold food or to start conversations with neighbors about who has the fullest cylinder. A true energy crisis management strategy that promotes community. Ultimately, it is a sobering reminder of how dependent we are on logistics that are often invisible… until they stop working. And one cannot help but wonder, with an ironic smile, if these “challenges” are the new normal or simply a dress rehearsal for the next chapter of this institutional soap opera.
Are you surprised by this news? Don’t be left wondering, share it on your social networks and test the calmness of your contacts. And if you want to explore more about the peculiarities of the energy sector in our country, do not hesitate to search for more related content on our platform.
