Parents of students in Tabasco protested at the Pemex Executive Tower on Monday to demand the relocation of two schools near the Dos Bocas refinery [1].
The demonstration highlights growing safety concerns for children exposed to industrial risks, specifically following a hydrocarbon spill in the region [3].
The protesters represent a kindergarten and a primary school located in the Lázaro Cárdenas del Río neighborhood of Paraíso, Tabasco [1]. These facilities sit adjacent to the Olmeca refinery, also known as Dos Bocas [2].
Families said they are seeking the fulfillment of an order issued by President Claudia Sheinbaum to move the campuses away from the industrial site [3]. According to reports, the order to relocate the schools has gone unfulfilled for 42 days [3].
This latest action occurred on May 18, 2026 [1]. It follows previous demonstrations held by the parents on April 29, 2026 [2]. The families traveled to Mexico City to bring their grievances directly to the state-owned oil company's headquarters.
Pemex officials met with the parents during the May 18 protest to discuss the security risks and the timeline for the move [1]. The parents said the proximity of the refinery poses a continuous threat to the students, and staff.
The schools remain in place while the families push for a concrete deadline for the transfer of the kindergarten and primary school to a safer location [1].
“The order to relocate the schools has gone unfulfilled for 42 days.”
This conflict underscores the tension between Mexico's strategic energy infrastructure goals and local public health and safety requirements. The delay in executing a presidential order suggests a gap in coordination between the federal executive branch and the operational management of Pemex, potentially leaving vulnerable populations at risk in the event of further industrial accidents.
