A large group of residents of Monterrey, Nuevo León, expressed their discontent last Sundaydemanding the cessation of operations of the Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) refinery.
They attribute the pollution that places the city among the most environmentally affected on the continent to this installation. The protesters gathered near the Macroplaza, in the center of Monterrey, carrying banners and some using gas masks, while chanting slogans in protest.
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According to reports, The refinery is responsible for 90% of the city’s sulfur dioxide emissions..
Mariana Peña, a 24-year-old citizen, stated that the air that the inhabitants of this city are breathing is killing them.
“A study carried out by local experts estimated that around 30% of PM 2.5 and PM10 particles are produced by the refinery itself,” said the activist.
He added that the same study indicates that if the refinery stopped operating, About 500 deaths related to this problem would be avoided annually..
“There is also research that links diseases in the metropolitan area of Monterrey with emissions from the refinery,” he shared.
The message from the groups and citizens was directed to the Government of the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
“We must remember, Mr. President, that Mexico has signed international agreements, agreements that force the country to reach decarbonization and move towards clean energy progressively,” he indicated.
He recalled that Chile, Colombia and Costa Rica confirm that Yes, a progressive transition based on social justice is possible..
They reject the refinery
Peña recalled that in Mexico City there was already a similar experience with the Azcapotzalco refinery in 1991, which closed permanently due to air pollution.
“Mr. President, in Nuevo León we do not want the Refinery,” said the protesters who also shouted “Get out, Pemex! Get out, Pemex!”
They stated that in Nuevo León they do not want to continue breathing sulfur and they do not want to die prematurely either.but they remembered that the air makes them sick.
“It is not a headache, nor asthma, it is apathy and political inaction, it is not an allergy, nor cancer, it is sulfur and it is the refinery, it is not a cough, it is Pemex, it is not irritation, nor a migraine, it is fuel oil and it is its bet on fossil fuels,” Peña accused.
Among those present at the protest were the state’s Secretary of the Environment, Alfonso Martínez Muñoz; the municipal president of San Pedro, Miguel Treviño de Hoyos and the former state governor, Benjamín Clariond Reyes-Retana.
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