Families demand relocation of 2 schools near Dos Bocas refinery, citing contamination and noise

Citing biology and civilian extortion concerns, much than 200 families successful the Gulf authorities of Tabasco are demanding that schools adjacent the Dos Bocas refinery beryllium relocated.

In announcing their petition to President Claudia Sheinbaum and Governor Javier May, parents accidental the proximity of the refinery exposes their children and schoolhouse employees to superior wellness risks.

Habitantes de Tabasco protestaron frente a la refinería de Dos Bocas para exigir la reubicación de escuelas cercanas a instalaciones de Pemex. #NoticiasImagen #PaolaRojasDPC @PaolaRojas pic.twitter.com/a7Dkfwbc30

— Imagen Televisión (@ImagenTVMex) February 10, 2026

The Agustín Melgar Kindergarten and the Abías Domínguez Alejandro Elementary School basal successful the shadiness of the Olmeca Refinery, known arsenic Dos Bocas, successful the Lázaro Cárdenas del Río vicinity of the municipality of Paraíso.

The families accidental they person been trying to get the schools relocated since operation connected the refinery began astir 7 years ago, but person failed to get an honorable hearing. 

At a property league past week, they stated that they submitted a missive to Education Minister Mario Delgado connected Nov. 19, 2024, formally requesting the relocation of the schools and the implementation of urgent protective measures, but person yet to person a response.

The schools are located little than 500 meters from high-risk facilities, specified arsenic the sulfur betterment plant, from which hydrogen sulfide, a highly toxic and perchance deadly gas, could beryllium released. Even so, determination are nary prescribed information protocols, alarms oregon wide evacuation routes astatine the schools.

Prompted by nationalist media sum of the property conference, Governor May responded connected Tuesday, saying the authorities are addressing the parents’ concerns.

While complaining that the contented has go overpublicized, May said his authorities “is ever unfastened to dialogue.”

Without addressing the anticipation of relocating the schools, the politician said helium has offered to let parents to circuit the refinery to larn astir its operations and information protocols.

“The refinery was built to the highest certification standards and latest procreation technology, truthful determination is nary hazard of affecting its surroundings,” helium said, adding that determination is nary technological grounds to corroborate the alleged contamination.

The parents importune that since the refinery began operations, the odor of state and the deafening sound are changeless irritations. They accidental the beingness of achromatic fume and falling particles has go commonplace, arsenic person symptoms of dizziness, nausea and respiratory problems successful their children, forcing the evacuation of the schools connected respective occasions.

With reports from Animal Político, Aristegui Noticias, El Universal and El Heraldo de México